Monsters University Review

Reviewing Monsters University courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Philippines. Opens June 29 and featuring the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman as Mike and Sully respectively.

It's a return engagement to the world of Sully and Mike Wozawski this time however, we take a step back to that time before the events of Monsters Inc. to find out the origin of Mike and Sully's friendship as well as how they actually got to where they are.

In the grand scheme of things, Monsters University is the first daring risk that Walt Disney and Pixar has taken. They've always been known for making sequels but never a prequel. Did they pass the mark? Did they actually do good in this type of feature film story telling? The answer is yes.

There's a lot of cute moments here in Monsters U that will appeal to folks of different ages. It's also chock full of meta stuff, which is amusing considering that all that plus more is wrapped in such a movie. Still after all these years, I'm also still impressed with how Disney managed to cast it's traditional magic in this new movie.

The characters are also evenly matched to their voices; Serenity's Nathan Fillion comes into the film as Johnny the Jaw, Sean Hayes [of Will and Grace] as Terri, Charlie Day as Art and Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble all fit the characters to the T.

Being that it's a prequel, nothing earth-shattering or career ending happens here. No villain dies and Randell Boggs [played by Steve Buscemi] is still alive and still the laughing stock in one form or another. 

As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of metas that come into play in this movie. One of the most recurring ones happen to revolve around Mike and how he pines to be a scarer, no, the top scarer for Monsters Inc. Of course that doesn't happen in the first movie as its actually Sully who becomes that. While Toy Story delved around friendship and acceptance of what you are, Monsters University focuses more on friendship and growing up together. It's an evolving friendship as seen in the relationship between the two main characters.

Another great thing about Monsters University is the gags. It starts slow but by the time we get to see the big scare fest, you'll be chuckling not only at the antics of Mike and Sully but also with the other OK (Oozma Kappa) members such as Art and Terri & Terry. 

Major props to the production crew for giving us a couple of easter eggs in the movie. Oh and to answer your question, YES, THERE IS ANOTHER POST-CREDIT SCENE and you do not want to miss that.

Overall, Monsters University is a great movie to catch this weekend. Be sure to bring the kids and make it a family bonding moment. Oh and I also advice you to watch it in 3D as it gives more life to the already lively gang of would-be scary monsters. 

Special thanks once again to Walt Disney Studios Philippines. Catch Monsters University as it is released today (June 26). 

Billy Crystal Gives Voice, Humor to Mike in "Monsters University"

Mike Wazowski’s lifelong dream is to become a Scarer at Monsters, Inc.—and he’s sure he knows just how to do it. Comic actor Billy Crystal returns to Pixar’s recording studios, giving voice, humor and a heightened level of emotion to this beloved little green one-eyed monster, in the new comedy adventure “Monsters University.”

In the film, ever since he was a young monster, Mike’s had his eye on Monsters University, home of the monster world’s top Scare Program. Now a freshman and hopeful Scare student, he’s well versed in the rich history, theory and technique required to reach his goal, and he has more confidence, enthusiasm, determination and heart than all of his classmates combined. Then he meets James P. Sullivan—Sulley—and life gets tricky.

“He gets little guy’s disease bad,” says Crystal. “He has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to Sulley—this big handsome monster who’s everything Mike really wants to be.”

The problem, of course, is that Sulley fails to nurture his natural abilities, while Mike works extra hard—to little avail. “This movie does something that is rarely done,” says director Dan Scanlon. “It shows someone who has a dream and a desire that doesn’t work out the way he expects it to. I think that happens to everyone in some way or another, so we really wanted this movie to show that sometimes when you reach those walls, there’s something better around the corner. It’s not the end of the world. Mike Wazowski is the perfect guy to tell that story.”

Monsters University Takes the Prequel Challenge

Ever since “Monsters, Inc.” opened in theaters on Nov. 2, 2001, the team at Pixar Animation Studios knew that Mike, Sulley and the monster world had touched audiences worldwide in a significant way. So the idea of bringing them back to the big screen in “Monsters University” was a welcome one. How to do it, exactly, was another story—literally.

Says executive producer John Lasseter, “When we create an original film at Pixar, by the time we’re done with it, we know the characters—they’re like friends; they’re like family; they’re part of us. It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to characters like that. It’s so much fun to start thinking of new ideas that you can do in a world you already love, but we had to come up with a story that is as good or better than the original.”

To fuel Pixar Animation Studios’ well known collaborative process, the creative leadership team, dubbed “the brain trust,” hosted a brainstorming session, inviting some of Pixar’s best storytellers, including several members of the original “Monsters, Inc.” team. The idea of doing a prequel was certainly appealing to this group. Imagining the backstory for Mike and Sulley—a natural part of the filmmaking process—had been happening since the original film was made.

Pinoy Artist Cited in 'Monsters University' Fun Facts

Filipino artist Nelson Bohol, a veteran of several Pixar films like “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Cars” and “WALL-E,” figures in the fun facts released by Disney/Pixar regarding its upcoming animated comedy “Monsters University.”

 
Read on below and find out what Bohol did to deserve the citation.

Monsters University Issues Global All-Character Poster

Disney/Pixar has issued a new “Monsters University” poster dubbed `Global All-Character' which features the film's entire cast of monsters.

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from future Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame–inductee and award winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”).

In the film, ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

Opening across the Philippines on June 26 in Disney Digital 3D, 2D and regular theaters, “Monsters University” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Disney Launches New Monsters University Trailer

Disney/Pixar has just launched a brand new trailer of “Monsters University,” the highly anticipated prequel to the 2011 blockbuster, “Monsters, Inc.”

You may view the trailer here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l79mEDBybqE&feature=youtu.be.

Synopsis: Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

New Trailer for Pixar's Monsters University

Disney/Pixar has just released the full, new trailer of “Monsters University,” the highly anticipated prequel to the 2011 blockbuster, “Monsters, Inc.”

Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (voice of John Goodman) are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

“MONSTERS UNIVERSITY” POSTERS LAUNCHED

Disney/Pixar has just revealed the domestic and international posters of “Monsters University,” the highly anticipated prequel to the 2011 blockbuster, “Monsters, Inc.”

In the film, Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (voice of John Goodman) are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler Return in "Parental Guidance"

Press release - Old school meets new school parenting when comedy legends Billy Crystal and Bette Midler play Artie and Diane Decker, who are called in by their daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei) to help care for their three grandkids. When their parenting methods collide, the once-orderly household gets out of control.

From family filmmaker Andy Fickman (best known for “The Game Plan,” “You Again,” She’s the Man” and “Race To Witch Mountain”), “Parental Guidance” spins into a heartwarming chaos when Alice calls on her parents to help watch her kids when she needs to leave town for work. When left with their grandkids, Artie and Diane employ unexpected tactics which means using some new parenting style to help teach their grandkids how to act and behave like kids.