Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Monsters University
2013
***
Director: Dan Scanlon
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Peter Sohn, Charlie Day, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina

The prequel to Monsters, Inc. takes us back in time to when Mike and Sulley attend the Monsters University. Mike is a resourceful and hard-working student with poor practical skills. Sulley, on the other hand, is lazy and cocky, but a naturally gifted scarer. The mismatching buddies end up in an unpopular fraternity in order to contest in the Scare Games. This Pixar animation shows how the familiar characters, who seem more likeable here than in the original, end up working at the factory. It also gives us a handful of new amusing creatures. All in all, this is an unnecessary but enjoyable addition to the series.