Review of Monsters University (2013) by Jamie E — 26 Jan 2014

Pixar delivers another stunner of a movie. From the begginning to the end Monster's University is a heart warming but extremely funny film and it brings back the Pixar glow missing from the companie's recent films.

Billy Crystal and John Goodman show again their diverse talents developing and moulding Mike and Sullivan into the classic characters we saw in the orginal and even though this is a prequel and the mains are not new characters they are still fascinating and feel like an open slate, which the film uses to drive it's story.

While sometimes slightly predictable the story and plot does a very good job in the development of the characters. Each character seems to have a perfect balance of screentime and you can see the changes emotionally within each personality from start to end.

Sadly this can not be said for Steve Buscemi's Randall, who seems to be forgotten near the end with hardly any tie in to Monster's Inc. The film's animation again highlights Pixars extremely talented craftmanship of both the visuals and also of the depth of how they can bring values and themes to an animated film.

Many scenes look completely real and some shot even got me thinking whether they had gone out and shot on location. What makes this film so impressive again is that it is able to blur the lines between children and adult movies.

While the target audience is definitely children this film can cater to any age, not only with addictively funny characters but through its thought provoking messages. Monster's University sadly does forget a few things on the way and while the many easter eggs and orginal film's tie ins, such as seeing Roz and the Yeti return, are welcome and appreciated, Randalls absence in many scenes is a real let down.

But as far as prequels go this is one of the best. It takes the characters as if they are brand new and by using the story drives the character development perfectly without being boring. It's comedy and also emotionally packed scenes flow brilliantly and with a perfect duration this film feels and views as it should.

As a movie that will entertain all ages.