Monsters University

Director: Dan Scanlon
Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Helen Mirren, Steve Buscemi (Voices)
Released UK: 12th July 2013

Long before best friends Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal, When Harry Met Sally) and James P. ‘Sully’ Sullivan (John Goodman, Argo) came to work together at Monsters Inc, they were actually rivals on the scare programme at Monsters University. Forced to share a dorm room Sully an alumnae high school jock, and geeky bookworm Mike have nothing in common and bickering ensues. Its only after an accidental mishap causes them both to be kicked off the course, that they find a way to work together as friends to fight their way back onto the course.

It’s been over a decade since we last saw the adventures of Sully and Mike when their lives were disrupted by a little human girl called Boo, so what’s taken so long for the sequel to come about, and has it been worth the wait?

There are some delightful little treasures in this film. Blink and you’ll miss em’ cameos from Monsters Inc, brilliant comedic writing and some wonderfully acentric creatures. It is indeed a witty and entertaining film, and once again Pixar proves why theyre top gods with dazzling animation and gorgeous use of colours and textures. Every single hair on Sully, and every glint in Mike’s eyeball brought about in super clear crisp high definition. We even get treated to another turn from Steve Buscemi’s mastermind Randall, with a backstory here to explain his reasons for future villainy at Monsters Inc.

However its hard not to feel a bit bored with the whole idea. Monsters Inc came out in 2001, was there really any need in the first place for a sequel, or specifically here a ‘prequel?’ Audiences have moved on. Sadly Pixar it seems is running out of ideas, with a sequel to 2003’s Finding Nemo currently in pre-production, while the most unsuccessful of the Pixar franchise Cars has now spawned a spin-off movie Planes coming out soon. From a team that brought you such wonderful films such as Up and Wall-E, its hard to believe they couldn’t find any other idea to pursue. Fortunately Monsters University is as fun and charming as it’s popular predecessor, and even matches the heights of previous moneymaking blockbuster sequels Toy Story 2 and 3.

It doesn’t excuse the fact that it’s a bit of a disappointing idea stretched out far enough.

It will undoubtedly make a lot of money, and rightly so as it is in no way a bad sequel and is just as beautifully constructed as the others films, but more original stories next time please Pixar!

VERDICT: * * *

Another colourful display of animation perfection we’ve all come to expect from the brilliant Pixar team. Funny, clever and great for children and adults alike, Monsters University is a success. Just a shame they couldn’t think of anything original to pursue instead.

Monsters University is released in UK cinemas from Friday 12^th July and will be released on DVD later this year. Monsters Inc is available on Blu-Ray and DVD now.