Kidzworld checks out Mike and Sulley: new students at Monsters University.
By: Lynn Barker
They are those lovable “scarers” working at Monsters Inc. but how did they meet? Were they always scary? Were young Mike and Sulley always “besties”?
New On Campus
About 10 years before he found work at Monsters, Inc., serious, brainy teen student Michael "Mike" Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) is super stoked to finally be a Freshman at Monsters University, where he is majoring in scaring. Of course Mike doesn’t realize that, as a round being with one big eye, he is more “cute” than scary.
First day on campus
Also new to school is James P. "Sulley" Sullivan (voiced by John Goodman), who is almost the exact opposite of Mike; not so brainy, huge and a little cocky. He’s the son of a famous natural scarer and has inherited the ability. These two don’t really mesh.
Mike is sick of Sulley as a bunkmate
Scare Program Troubles
Sulley is at first welcomed to the “cool” frat, Roar Omega Roar but later not thought cool enough. Eventually both Mike and Sulley are kicked out of the Scare Program by the cruel and creepy-looking Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren). The guys can only regain entry by winning The Scare Games but first they have to join a frat to compete. Loser frat Oozma Kappa (We’re OK), full of quirky misfits, is happy to get the guys and the games are on.
Reluctant new friends
The Games and Beyond
Mike finds out that strategy is his strong suit as he whips the Oozma Kappa guys into shape and thinks of ways to win the games. He and Sulley bond and are on their way to a win at school and in life.
Oozma Kappa wants you!
Wrapping Up
The Monsters University tale is not a new story. It’s the ‘80’s movie Revenge of the Nerds basically with a little classic Animal House thrown in. Pixar films are usually more original but the movie still provides plenty of laughs and the voice actors are spot on in their character interpretations. There is so much silly cuteness going on even in the background that I’m looking forward to freeze-framing when the DVD/Blu-ray comes out.
Scary Dean Hardscrabble
The life lessons the guys learn in the film are great for all of us; it’s okay to be just okay and you might have to shift your dreams a bit to be successful and happy in life. Also, you can be great friends with someone very different than yourself. All of this wisdom is presented in a colorful, coming-of-age movie that will probably tickle your fancy whether you’ve seen the original Monsters Inc. film or not. 4 Stars.
Monsters University Movie Rating:
Monsters University Movie Poster
