Monsters University

Name: Monsters University
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family
Released: June 21, 2013
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi

2013

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 775 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 775 Ratings

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Monsters University

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Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: June 21, 2013 | G

Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi

Summary: Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan weren't always an inseparable pair. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. Monsters University reveals how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends. [Walt Disney Studios]

Director: Dan Scanlon

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Jun 21, 2013

True to the spirit of the original film, "Monsters Inc.", and matches its tone. But it never seems content to turn over old ground. Read full review

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Jul 12, 2013

The animation is photoreal – startlingly and mesmerisingly so. And the depth of feeling the tale of their friendship evokes is matched only by your incredulity, as you paw at your eyes six minutes later, that you are crying about two computer-generated umbrellas. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Jun 20, 2013

The visuals are impressive, while the goodhearted and endearing story is a little slight. Read full review

Bob Mondello

Jun 21, 2013

What hasn't advanced is the plotting, which was nothing special last time and is so formulaic now that it's basically surprise-free. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Jun 18, 2013

Monsters University is a prequel that is far more conventional, not nearly as witty or clever as that original. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Jun 18, 2013

Monsters University feels not like the work of artists eager to express something but like that of likable pros whose existence depends on getting a rise out the kids. It's like the scares Sully and Mike spring on those sleeping tykes: technically impressive but a job un-anchored to anything more meaningful. Read full review

Mike Scott

Jun 21, 2013

What Monsters University fails to do, though, is to scare up any real emotion. Read full review

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User Reviews

MovieGoer14

Jun 29, 2013

I was pleasant with Monsters University. I was disappointed with Cars 2 and Brave then I had to see this movie because I love Monsters, Inc. It turns out that Monsters University is surprisingly imaginative and hilarious, with clever moments and insightful animation.

9 of 12 users found this helpful93

M4U93

Jul 1, 2013

This movies is so freaking good! It starts kind of slow but then it engages you until the end and it really does an excellent job. I am 20 and i was laughing like a child at the theatre, mainly because the connection to the previous movie. Totally recommended.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RedOwlReviews

Jul 11, 2013

(skip to the last paragraph for a concise one-sentence summary and a number)
I don’t know why, but I felt powerfully attached to Monsters University. It may be because Monsters Inc. was one of my favorite Pixar movies of all time. It may also be because I am currently around the age of our(skip to the last paragraph for a concise one-sentence summary and a number)
I don’t know why, but I felt powerfully attached to Monsters University. It may be because Monsters Inc. was one of my favorite Pixar movies of all time. It may also be because I am currently around the age of our protagonists, so I can attest to their struggles. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because Mike Wazowski and James Sullivan are the best frenemies to hit the big screen since Pixar’s older Woody and Buzz.
Mike Wazowski is determined, but at a disadvantage, since he isn’t scary. James Sullivan is laidback, but at an advantage, since he’s scary as hell (he’s also legacy, but I’d rather not rant about legacy kids on a film critique). So why is the banter between these polar opposites so amusing to children and adults alike? It’s because they’re both a little obnoxious. They’ve got enough sour taste in each other to animate the screen almost as well as the crisp-clear animation software used to make the film (which is seriously praiseworthy).
Technique-wise, the film rarely fails. Sure, the plotline may be a little formulaic and linear, but the plot twists are just enough to keep both the story and the character development moving. Even near the end of the film, you’ll find some sappy emotion we’ve come to expect from Pixar.
In conclusion, this is what I have to say: Monsters University is not only the best and most charismatic animated film of the year thus far; it is also a testament to Pixar’s glory years and a sign that maybe Cars 2 and Brave were just a depressing phase that Pixar is hopefully passing. (I’d also like to laud Helen Mirren’s character, Dean Hardscrabble. She is one tough cookie you’ll both enjoy and fear watching)

FINAL SCORE: 85 (excitingly great ----------o---------- almost perfect)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

loonyTubes

Jul 2, 2013

Monsters University was a joy to watch. Equally entertaining and stunningly animated. I do however feel it didn't quite live up to Pixar's esteemed lineage of films with the ability to captivate equally- young children, teenagers and adults. As a final year university student- the antics ofMonsters University was a joy to watch. Equally entertaining and stunningly animated. I do however feel it didn't quite live up to Pixar's esteemed lineage of films with the ability to captivate equally- young children, teenagers and adults. As a final year university student- the antics of Mike and Sully reminded me of great experiences i'd had and some I wish I'd had. Many younger children in the theatre however began to lose interest as the story developed.

Overal another incredible film by the titan of animation studios that is Pixar which unfortunately did not live up to its predecessors.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MonkiReviews

May 22, 2017

They didn't make this movie as well as the original. It stars a younger version of the characters, but they look mostly if not all the same. The story itself is not great though, but not bad. It is worth watching though.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AwesomeReviewer

Jun 24, 2013

“Monsters University” has a simple and quite predictable story, as we already know that Mike and Sully will end up as friends at the end. However, the journey is more important than the destination and along the way we tackle themes of defying expectation. While the story is predictable, the“Monsters University” has a simple and quite predictable story, as we already know that Mike and Sully will end up as friends at the end. However, the journey is more important than the destination and along the way we tackle themes of defying expectation. While the story is predictable, the writers and directors manage to throw a little surprise here and there. From some interesting character moments to laugh out loud situations. It’s sort of light on heart, but the film is engaging enough and the movie gets better as it progresses.

The main characters, Mike and Sully, retain much of their charm in this prequel. Mike takes the lead in this recent outing. He’s sweet, optimistic, and crazily dedicated. Sully is laid back, a slacker, and a bit insecure. However, it’s great to see him develop into the master scarer he is in the original film. It’s really fun to see how their relationship develops. Their constant bantering and butting of heads is fun to watch and the sweeter moments are endearing. There are some newer characters in the film as well and they add a lot of charm and humor to the film. My personal favorites are Art, a purple hairy monster with long legs, and Squishy, a awkwardly round monster, who gets some of the best laughs in the movie.

Aside from story, Pixar’s greatest strength is animation and this film has some of their best. The colors are vibrant and the hair effects are fluid. The one down side are the character designs. The main cast is fine, but some of the background characters just aren’t unique and look similar to one another. Randy Newman’s score is effective for the movie, but lacks a memorable spark. The score is just filled with generic college music, but it still weaves in some interesting emotional bits.

Overall, “Monsters University” is a fun and enjoyable film. While it doesn’t reach any emotional highs and the beginning is rocky, it has some really great laughs. The animation is top class even though some of the character designs are “meh” and the score is effective, but leaves more to be desired. It’s a great way for Pixar to get back on track. I give it 3.5/5, great fun and an extremely enjoyable time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheCoolGuy99

Dec 22, 2013

Monsters University is Pixar's first prequel and none other the less manages to bring the total scope of the story from Pixar's Monsters Inc. (2001). It's flicking sweet and provides more of a solid performance than its sequel (Monster's Inc.) centered on the two main protagonist MikeMonsters University is Pixar's first prequel and none other the less manages to bring the total scope of the story from Pixar's Monsters Inc. (2001). It's flicking sweet and provides more of a solid performance than its sequel (Monster's Inc.) centered on the two main protagonist Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman). And now for the first time Pixar has introduced their very first prequel this film actually better thought as a fun family entertainment for all ages,

More on centered from the life of the two main characters. This film shows exactly the whole life of the two and the rest of all the characters in Monsters Inc. Undeniably more good than its sequel better than out to be. It also bring us their bond, closeness, friendship, family, and hilariously funny moments. It has more of the heart from 104 minutes of awesome 3D experience from Pixar

Rating 9 10… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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26	#26 Most Discussed Movie of 2013
24	#24 Most Shared Movie of 2013