Monster University - High Hopes Deliver Disappointing Results

I have had a blu-ray copy of Monsters University sitting around the house for months, purchasing the movie right when it was released to video. As usual, I missed it in the theaters. But I still remember seeing the previews to MU and thinking what a fun movie it looked to be and a step forward for Pixar which has been mired in in something of a slump since the great Toy Story 3 a few years ago.

Then last weekend, while it was raining outside, I finally got to Monsters University. The rain outside was more interesting than this very weak movie. Weak as in weak in story, weak in characters, and just an all around snoozer of film. A nap would have been more entertaining. The previews that were shown in the theaters didn't equal what was being shown on my big screen because I saw none of the fun. 

The original Monsters Inc., which is not among Pixar's best, was way better than this sequel as Monsters University now ranks with Cars 2 as another Pixar crash and burn. And since Pixar movies make money, the producers and Disney can laugh all the way to the bank.

For me - say good-bye to Monsters University

What Happened to Pixar?

The last great Pixar Animation Studios movie was 2010's Toy Story 3. It wasn't just a great movie, it was a groundbreaking animated movie. Since then we have had the insipid Cars  2, the clever but weak Brave, and the routine sequel Monsters University, What happened to Pixar to deteriorate so badly the the last few years? Remember that before Toy Story 3 we had the glorious incarnation of Wall-E,  immensely popular and entertaining Cars, followed by the a  great original movies Ratatouille, and Up? What happened to quality? The answer I believe is overlooked but quite simple - Steve Jobs died, It hasn't been the same since. Current Pixar chiefJohn Lasseter who wears many Disney hats (including a Jungle Crusis skippers hat at on one time( be a master of execution but more and more but it looks like Jobs, in so many ways, was the visionary for not only Pixar but Apple too.

The Good Dinosaur is Now The Very Late Dinosaur

Pixar's The Good Dinosaur was scheduled to be released May 2014 and with this years Pixar effort - Monsters University - essentially a sequel movie, fans of Pixar were looking forward to a new all original story. The Emeryville Company has spent more than its share of time on sequels lately and something new and original was much anticipated. Get ready to wait a little longer, wait.... make that a lot longer. Due to problems with the story and now that both the producer and director of The Good Dinosaur being replaced, the film now isn't scheduled to hit the screens until November 2015. That measn Pixar will not have a film to release in 2014. Maybe Pixar head hauncho John Lasseter is spreading himself too thin being creative consultant for Disney Parks and head of Walt Disney Animation. Remember when he was just a Pixar guy? Remember when he directed Toy Story 3 - the last great Pixar movie?

The Two Really Great Pixar Movies

OR

Sorry, my blog, my rules. Which is the greatest Pixar movie ever made? The answer is either Wall-E or Toy Story 3, both Academy Award Winning films. None of the other Pixar efforts match up against these two.

The Disneyland Traveler answer? From beginning to end, Toy Story 3 is the best of all the Pixar movies and may be one of the greatest movies ever. HOWEVER: The first 55 minutes or so of Wall-E just might be the greatest piece of movie cinema ever made. It's a timeless work of art.