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Monsters University Movie Review

Reviewed by on Jun 20, 2013
Rating: 4 Star Rating

Kidzworld checks out Mike and Sulley: new students at Monsters University.

By: Lynn Barker

They are those lovable “scarers” working at Monsters Inc. but how did they meet? Were they always scary? Were young Mike and Sulley always “besties”?

New On Campus

About 10 years before he found work at Monsters, Inc., serious, brainy teen student Michael "Mike" Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) is super stoked to finally be a Freshman at Monsters University, where he is majoring in scaring. Of course Mike doesn’t realize that, as a round being with one big eye, he is more “cute” than scary.

First day on campusFirst day on campus

Also new to school is James P. "Sulley" Sullivan (voiced by John Goodman), who is almost the exact opposite of Mike; not so brainy, huge and a little cocky. He’s the son of a famous natural scarer and has inherited the ability. These two don’t really mesh.

Mike is sick of Sulley as a bunkmateMike is sick of Sulley as a bunkmate

Scare Program Troubles

Sulley is at first welcomed to the “cool” frat, Roar Omega Roar but later not thought cool enough. Eventually both Mike and Sulley are kicked out of the Scare Program by the cruel and creepy-looking Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren). The guys can only regain entry by winning The Scare Games but first they have to join a frat to compete. Loser frat Oozma Kappa (We’re OK), full of quirky misfits, is happy to get the guys and the games are on.

Reluctant new friendsReluctant new friends

The Games and Beyond

Mike finds out that strategy is his strong suit as he whips the Oozma Kappa guys into shape and thinks of ways to win the games. He and Sulley bond and are on their way to a win at school and in life.

Oozma Kappa wants you!Oozma Kappa wants you!

Wrapping Up

The Monsters University tale is not a new story. It’s the ‘80’s movie Revenge of the Nerds basically with a little classic Animal House thrown in. Pixar films are usually more original but the movie still provides plenty of laughs and the voice actors are spot on in their character interpretations. There is so much silly cuteness going on even in the background that I’m looking forward to freeze-framing when the DVD/Blu-ray comes out.

Scary Dean HardscrabbleScary Dean Hardscrabble

The life lessons the guys learn in the film are great for all of us; it’s okay to be just okay and you might have to shift your dreams a bit to be successful and happy in life. Also, you can be great friends with someone very different than yourself.  All of this wisdom is presented in a colorful, coming-of-age movie that will probably tickle your fancy whether you’ve seen the original Monsters Inc. film or not. 4 Stars.

Monsters University Movie Rating:4

Monsters University Movie PosterMonsters University Movie Poster