Title: Monsters University
Director: Dan Scanlon
Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi.
‘Monsters University’ is set about ten years before the events of ‘Monsters Inc.’ Mike Wazowski has ever since dreamed of attending the prestigious Monsters University. When he turns seventeen he finally enters the craved college, and begins majoring in scaring. Mike eventually encounters an eighteen year old arrogant large monster, named James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, son of a long dynasty of established scarers. The rivalry between the bookworm-nerdy Mike and the natural talent Sulley will get them both in trouble, but through their school misadventures they’ll learn the importance of teamwork and leadership skills.
The prequel to the 2001 Monster story is a charming, vivacious coming-of-age tale, with all the extraordinary colourful Pixar animation magic. Director and co-writer Dan Scanlon, a storyboard artist who joined the studio the same year that ‘Monsters Inc.’ was released, deals earnestly and inventively with the hard reality that some talents can’t be taught and some dreams remain unfulfilled. He thusly draws away from consuetudinary fairytales, where all impossible dreams come true, by focusing rather on how to channel and enhance your talents.
The icing on the cake of the delicious, vibrant, hilarious and emotionally resonant ‘Monsters University,’ is the custom Pixar short film that precedes the feature: ‘The Blue Umbrella,’ by Saschka Unseld. This exquisite animation jewel is a love story that takes place in the rain, between two umbrellas, on a busy city street during rush hour, as inanimate objects take on personalities and encourage the romance unfolding before them.
Technical: A
Story: B+
Overall: A-
Written by: Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
