Monsters University is a fairly made film. The story and college movie premise aren't the strongest use for it, but one thing this Movie understands is its characters. The prequel gives us a better understanding of Mike and Sulley's friendship that makes for a very entertaining repitoir between the two. (thanks to Goodman and Crystal) The film may not match up to the original but in character development it more than delivers.

It's a bit strange that Pixar would take Monster's Inc., a film wildly successful because it was so unique and memorable, and create a prequel as safe and predictable as possible. It felt like they wanted to keep working with the Monsters world (which is understandable), but they were so daunted with the task of creating a movie worthy of continuing the franchise that they decided the absolute safest option: A prequel, grounded in overplayed university frat awkwardness clichés and well worn plot lines.But on the bright side of playing it safe, it's strange, fun, and funny with its messed up monster characters just as you would expect. One of the most stand out features is the quality animation with beautiful color as colorful as the characters.

Since he was a little monster, Mike wanted to go to MU (Monsters University) in order to become a top scarer for his kind. His only problem was that he wasn't scary at all. Despite this "minor" issue, he's determined to work hard in order to achieve his dream, although his only hope apparently lies in winning the famous Scare Games. Together with a team a misfits and a self-centred enemy, he must do everything in his power to succeed or face expulsion.It's a movie which bases its story way before the events from Monsters Inc, presenting the beginnings of Mike and Sully, how they got along in college, how they managed to overcome their condition and differences and ultimately become the best friends we saw in the first instalment. It's also funny as its predecessor, but unfortunately, it misses the idea of the first movie, one that made it really good. It lacks the thrill, the emotion and the soul. It feels unpolished, made to be a laugh, much more superficial I might say, fact which lowers the overall quality quite significant. It focuses way too much on those games but doesn't manage to involve the viewer as well, to somehow make him care about what's happening, especially when considering that the two compete together although they are bitter rivals and are "helped" by the only fraternity that was left in the campus. And, not to say that the finale is more or less known, having seen the first one. It redeems itself a bit towards the end with a couple of twists but it simply falls into mediocrity, without anything to make it stand out.Overall, it feels like a sequel (although it's a prequel) which was made just to profit from the name the first instalment made for itself, ditching key aspects which made it great, inexplicably choosing another path, ending up an average movie. You can watch it out of curiosity but don't expect the same quality, or you'll be disappointed.

I may be a little harsh on MU, but I have two major issues which bucked me after watching it. More on them later, let us start with the good stuff. MU took our favourite monsters, Sully and Mike, and added so much to them as characters. It was a pleasure watching them and their interactions at MU. Even Randall has had a different relation to them in their past. The general idea is interesting enough. At the same time, we are acquainted with new and well executed characters. Everything is well done so far. My two problems with MU are as follows: Firstly, when Mike and Sully's team enters the competition to prove themselves worthy of being at MU, we only get to see a couple of the challenges. The rest is just quickly showing us the crossing of finish lines or something. I would have liked to see more of that competion! The story was very rushed at that moment.Secondly, the climax when they accidentally get into the human world felt like it was just squeezed in. That just how it felt to me, a little unnecessary filler. And if adult screams are more effective than child screams, why weren't they using them in Monsters Inc.?I would be eternally grateful if Pixar some time in the future will make and actual sequel to Monsters Inc. The ending of Monsters Inc. made obvious to begin working on a sequel. Perhaps something with Boo being a teenager and meeting Sully and Mike again? Or something with Boo having children being scared by monsters? It would be great! But back to MU. It is an enjoyable watch, I just have a few problems which bug me.