Monsters University
In the grand scheme of the Pixar movies, “Monsters, Inc.” was never one of my favorites. Yes, it has big laughs, great animation, and wonderful main performances by John Goodman and Billy Crystal, but it never entertained me on the level the first two “Toy Story” films and “A Bug’s Life” did before it. And when Pixar had its “Golden Age,” which went from “Finding Nemo” to “Toy Story 3,” the film fell even further on my list. Still, it’s a winning endeavor for the studio, and was the first one not directed by John Lasseter, proving he wasn’t the only talent at the animation house. That doesn’t mean I ever wanted to see more from that universe.
That’s part of why “Monsters University,” which follows Sully (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Crystal) through their first year in college, is such a surprising treat. It doesn’t hold a candle to the “Toy Story” sequels, but it definitely trumps the merchandise-driven “Cars 2,” while not completely breaking the sequel/prequel standing at the studio for 2015’s “Finding Dory,” which, on the surface, feels like another unnecessary follow-up. This is a continuation/expansion in the best possible tradition of the idea, where we learn more about the characters, and have a thoughtful message about friendship, and how important it is to fail at something, while not losing the fact that it’s supposed to be fun, as well.
The movie centers around Mike, who at a young age knew he wanted to be a scarer, and work at Monsters, Inc. Well, as we know from the first film, the latter part of that is true, but Mike’s definitely no scarer– that’s left to Sully, who comes from a family of scarers. And while they’re the best of friends in “Inc.,” they definitely don’t start out that way in “University,” where Mike is the nerd who’s read all the books about scaring, while it just comes naturally for Sully. By setting up the pair in a traditional jock/nerd odd couple way, the main source of tension is put into play for the film, which also has the joining the “loser” fraternity on campus as they try to win the “Scare Games,” and beat the arrogant “legacy” monsters frat, led by Johnny Worthington (voiced flawlessly by Nathan Fillion), and show they have what it takes to be in the elite scare program.
One of the great pleasures of “Monsters University” is how closely it hues to the traditional “college movie”/nerds vs. jocks template, from “Animal House” and “Revenge of the Nerds” to “Old School” and “Accepted,” and concurrently, how effortlessly writers Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird, and Dan Scanlon (the latter of whom directed the film) are able to break away from it, when needed, for the themes they explore with Mike and Sully. A lot of that success comes from the writing, yes, but also the performers, and this is one of the strongest ensembles Pixar has worked with outside of the “Toy Story” movies. Goodman and Crystal are the anchors, but there’s superb supporting work turned in by Fillion; Dame Helen Mirren (as the “crusty old dean” character); Charlie Day, Dave Foley, and Sean Hayes (all of whom are in the frat Mike and Sully join); Alfred Molina (as a scare professor); Steve Buscemi (returning as Randall); Aubrey Plaza; and plenty more who all are either in it for the long haul, or just for a gag or two. Regardless, the film has laughs galore, and like “Monsters, Inc.,” is closer to a straight comedy than the more dramatic work that’s followed.
That doesn’t mean that “Monsters University” skimps on feeling, though, and like the Sully/Boo relationship in the first film, the Sully/Mike relationship has plenty of emotional ups and downs. The material as we see these two go from opposites and antagonists to can’t-live-without-you friends adds weight to the earlier film, while also driving home a key lesson in life: sometimes, we have to fail. It hurts, but it’s necessary for us to grow. Mike and Sully both have moments like that late in the film, but it makes their relationship stronger, as well as their success at the end of the film more joyous. Of course, we know going into the film where they are to end up by the time the credits role, but it’s about having fun while watching them get there that makes this excursion into prequel territory such a wonderful one from Pixar. Like their continued adventures with “Toy Story,” they’ve managed to add depth and entertainment value to their beloved characters in a way that is satisfying to all. Now, I hope they know to stop while their ahead, and take us someplace new.
