Monster's University

Just the other day, I was lamenting about how 2013 has been a watershed – pretty much – for the animation segment.  There were hardly any good movies that were released to date.  And one could have only hoped through the trailers that Tarzan was good.  But coming up before Tarzan to put a smile on my face – Monsters University!!!

Featuring the voices of the inimitable Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and the commanding Helen Mirren, Monsters University is just the shot in the arm that was required this year.  We finally have one movie that can make it to the shortlist (Not sure if Rise of Guardians would count as 2013 release or 2013) for the Academy Awards.

 

Monsters University has very little to do with Monsters Incorporated (2001) other than the 2 lead characters i.e James P “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman) and Michael Wazowski (Billy Crystal).  Billy Crystal and John Goodman blew us off with their voices twelve years back.  And the good news is that they have done so, yet again.

 

This time around, the story begins with little Mike who has one aim in life.  To be a Scarer – one who is responsible for going into little children’s bedrooms and scaring the living daylights out of them with the sole intent of generating a scream that is captured in a capsule and used to power the Monster world.

 

However, Mike isn’t the kind who looks or feels scary.  He does make it to Monster University through hardwork but is soon moved out of his major – “Scaring”. He finds himself on the wrong side of Dean Abigail Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren).  Eager to get his place back, he wages his place @ MU with the dean at the annual University Games.

 

Monsters University is an absolute treat because of some fantastic voice overs and really good animation.  While the 3D is not top notch – and I have always believed it is because of the equipment used in India – the story, screenplay and voices more than make up for this minor gap.

 

Director Dan Scanlon never gives us the impression that he is just one movie old and that too, one which wasn’t too great at the box office.  He does what is expected in a animation movie of this nature.  He has done into exceptional detail with the characters, their strengths, their insecurities and basically what makes them who they are.

 

At the same time, he hasn’t made it into one boring monologue.  The script / screenplay unfolds seamlessly to reveal to the viewer these finer details.  The use of music is superb with Randy Newman in the running for yet another Oscar nomination for best song.  The dialogues are funny and the editing crisp.  In all a wonderful package.

 

A pity that Disney got its release date just a bit wrong.  With the schools reopening this week, the first day collections may be disappointing.  But I am quite certain that the weekend has something great in store for them.  It would have helped if the release occurred a week in advance.  Would have raked in the big bucks in India.

 

Don’t miss Monsters University.  And even more importantly don’t miss the Pixar Short at the beginning about the Red and Blue Umbrella – simply superb!!! Also, wait after the movie ends for some really funny cards on either side of the credits as they keep rolling. Take your kids along.  7 on 10.

 

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2206049817/?ref_=tt_ov_vi