Mary Tobin on Monsters University

Laugh-out-loud funny yet encompassing difficult themes not usually addressed in children’s films, Monsters University is an enjoyable prequel to Monsters, Inc. especially for a college audience that may find solace in characters struggling with similar issues about important life decisions.

Ever since Mike Wasowski (Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he’s dreamed of becoming a professional scarer. He knows the best scarers come from Monsters University (MU), so when he gets to MU his entire life revolves around memorizing all the scaring techniques he can get his hands on; however, he can’t memorize enough techniques to overcome the simple truth everyone tells him: he isn’t scary. When he meets a legacy student and natural-born scarer, James P. Sullivan, “Sully” (John Goodman), the pair’s competitive spirit get them kicked out of the university’s elite scare program. An upcoming Scare Games competition gives them a chance to win their seats in the program back, but there are some obstacles that may prove too difficult.

While I was not initially overcome by connection to the story, Monsters University has grown on me. Different from traditional children’s films, which support a “you can do anything you set your mind to” attitude, Monsters University carries a theme that your dreams and goals might not be accessible and accepting that fact is a mark of maturity. I was initially taken aback by this theme, but I’ve come to realize that it’s a far more realistic and important theme than “you can do anything.” Many people don’t realize their childhood or even adult dreams, but their chosen paths may turn out to be better suited or more enjoyable than their dreams. While not the best Disney Pixar film I’ve seen, Monsters University proves yet again that Disney Pixar cannot fail at creating an inviting, fun film for all ages.

The Monsters University 4-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, 3-Disc Collector’s Edition Blue-Ray Combo Pack, and 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack DVDs are now available in stores.

Grade: B+