Well, faithful readers, this is a day I’ve awaited since I started writing this column – I finally get to write about a Pixar movie! This week brings us the first teaser for the first Pixar prequel, Monsters University.
Premise: Set about ten years before the events of Monsters, Inc., this is the story of how James P. “Sulley” Sullivan and Mike Wazowski met during their college days at the University of Fear, became friends, and started working towards becoming scarers at Monsters, Inc.
My take: Like I imagine most people do, I love Pixar. I have seen almost all of the studio’s films, and all the ones I have seen I have either liked, really liked, or loved. Whenever news comes up about what they’re doing, I pay attention. Of all their films, I think Monsters, Inc. probably lends itself best to a prequel, because there were so many things already established when that movie began – Sulley and Mike’s friendship, Randall’s rivalry with Sulley, Mike’s relationship with Celia, etc. I know I’m not the first person to make this comparison, but I really like the idea of taking the Monsters, Inc. characters and putting them in what’s essentially a spin on classic college movies like National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) and Revenge of the Nerds (1984).
A scene from “Monsters University.” © 2012 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
As is usually the case with Pixar films, the voice cast is an interesting and eclectic mix. Reprising their roles from Monsters, Inc. are John Goodman as James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski, Steve Buscemi as Randall Boggs, Jennifer Tilly as Celia Mae, and Frank Oz as Jeff Fungus, although those last three are not seen in this teaser. To be perfectly honest, if they hadn’t been able to get Goodman and Crystal back, they shouldn’t have made this film. Also not seen or heard here is Kelsey Grammer as the CEO of Monsters, Inc., Henry J. Waternoose III, taking over the role from the late James Coburn. Other people in the cast include comedian Dave Foley, who previously voiced Flik in A Bug’s Life (1998), television star Joel Murray, Ken Jeong from The Hangover (2009) and Community, and J.B. Smoove from Curb Your Enthusiasm. And of course, Pixar mainstay John Ratzenberger will be back, reprising his role as the Abominable Snowman, who presumably hasn’t been banished at this point.
Of course, as is the case with Pixar teasers, this one doesn’t tell us much of anything about the actual story of the film, apart from the basics. In terms of the new characters, only four of them even have their names released so far – Joel Murray is Don Carlson, Ken Jeong is Mack, Rob Riggle is Kenny, and J.B. Smoove is Harold. Of those four, the only one we know anything about is Don Carlson, who Murray has described as an office-worker monster who was fired from his job and decided to go back to school. We’ll just have to wait for future trailers to hopefully get more specifics about what to expect.
Well, there’s really not much more to say, is there? The two Cars films aside, Pixar has what has to be the best track record of any studio in Hollywood. I personally can’t wait to see Mike, Sulley, Randall, and the rest of Monstropolis again. When late June of 2013 rolls around, you can bet I’ll be checking out Monsters University at my local theater.
ANTICIPATION: Pixar has earned my admiration and respect. I’m looking forward to this.
Release Date: June 21st, 2013
Starring the voices of: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly, Frank Oz, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Peter Sohn, Joel Murray, Ken Jeong, Rob Riggle, Kelsey Grammer, J.B. Smoove, John Ratzenberger, Teddy Newton, and Gage Davenport
Director: Dan Scanlon
Timothy Monforton