Monsters University

Since 2011, you could say Pixar films have been a little down. Cars 2 was a poor sequel that struggled with it's story and did not the capture the heart of the original. Brave from 2012 has a solid following but you can  find non-fans of it unlike most other pixar films. This would make you wonder what was left of such a powerful animation company especially when you had a prequel coming in 2013 to a very poular movie Monsters Inc.

Monsters University, prequel to the 2001 movie Monsters Inc, and follows the characters of Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) during their university days where both of them have dreams of becoming scarier monsters. Their ultimate goal is to work for Monsters Inc. at a job involving scaring kids to provide energy for the city. At Monsters University, they play in some university scare game, interact with the popular monsters and groups at the school and learn how to be friends with each other.

In a way, the film rehashes much of what we have seen before. The lead characters are the same and we know their in's and outs and the university games idea has been played out in other movies like Revenge of the Nerds. Of course, Mike Wazowski and Sulley are characters you can root for with one being a nerd and jock and its should be noted that the voice work solid with both of them all the way through. Mike and Sulley makes us look at what a friendship is all about and can happen regardless of people's different interests and background.

The animation is solid, crisp and on par with previous Pixar films. The scares challenges and games are creative and full of adventures and provide an interesting atmosphere while bringing in new fraternity characters. Through it all, the whole university idea is new and original to the animation world and it really worked here.

While this is not a ground-breaking movie nor Pixar's best, Monsters University is still quite solid. It is a sequel (but as mentioned earlier really a prequel) geared towards the whole family that has a big heart and really works.

4/5

My most anticipated films of 2013

Every year, there are films that will stand out. Memorable films that are exciting, may add something to a series or whatever. Here are films scheduled to be released in 2013 that I am most looking forward to.

 

I really enjoyed the Kick-Ass movie. I see that Kick-Ass 2 is returning most of the great cast from the original. Kick-Ass 2 also adds Jim Carrey so anything can happen and I am looking forward to it.

 

After a brief absence of mob films, we get a new one, Gangster Squad in January. It's got a big and impressive case led by Ryan Gosling and looks to have some potential.

Being a fan of the original, I am really looking forward to this remake of Carrie. It will be interesting to see how Chloe Grace Moretz does in the lead.

Producer M. Night Shyamalan will hopefully get back on track with After Earth after some very rough and subpar movies in recent years. It will be also interesting to see Hayden Smith again.

Monsters University is another film that I am interested because what came before. Like the first one, this looks to have a great plot and animation.

Oblivion might only be remembered for Tom Cruise getting dumped while on set by his wife, Katie Holmes but who knows.

Dark Skies feels like an old fashioned film with children in some type of horror plot. This one could go either way and I am interested in how it turns out.

                                                                             

                                                                                                 

Oz appears to be loosely based on the classic Wizard of Oz movie. I want it to be great and or else because I wouldn't see a point of it if not.

 

Thor returns for Part 2 and Iron Man for Part 3. Both should be interesting after the original movies and also their parts in the recent Avengers movie.

Into Darkness is the new Star Trek movie and I loved most of the other Star Trek movies including the 2009 version. It should fun to watch and see where this series is going.


Obviously 2013 will have it's share of good and bad films but these are the ones I am most looking forward to.