By Emma Gillett, Staff Writer
The theater is packed, filled to the brim with chattering moviegoers. The scent of buttery popcorn hangs heavy in the air, while the seemingly endless previews flash across the screen. Suddenly, the room goes dark. It’s the moment they’ve been waiting for.
It’s time — time for adventure, time for laughter, and time for the best two hours of their lives. “Monsters University” is about to begin.
The “Monsters, Inc.” phenomenon began in 2001, when the animated flick hit the big screen for the first time. The storyline focuses on two monsters, named James P. Sullivan (otherwise known as Sulley) and Mike Wazowski, who work as professional “scarers.” They aren’t mindless or cruel in their jobs, though; The screams they collect from scared kids act as a power source for their entire city. They continue along this career path until they meet a toddler named Boo, who opens their eyes to other alternatives.
“It’s funny,” Reynolds High School chemistry teacher Josh Bragg said, gushing about the beauty of the childhood classic.
After a decade-plus hiatus, the characters are returning in a prequel called “Monsters University.” The movie, set to open in theaters June 21 (midnight premiere — oh yes!) tells the tale of Sulley and Wazowski’s college days. The previews portray Sulley as the chill, cool kid, while Wazowski comes across a little nerdy and socially awkward. One clip shows Wazowski covered in reflective discs and hanging from the ceiling as a makeshift disco ball; it’s safe to assume he isn’t the hippest kid on campus.
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With the second installation about to change moviegoers’ lives, Reynolds students reflect on what made the first “Monsters Inc.” such a success.
“It made me rethink my preconceptions about monsters in the closet,” sophomore Matt Grattan said.
Some franchises have trouble creating a sequel (or in this case, a prequel) that lives up the first. The high expectations from such a long wait between the two movies might be difficult to achieve, yet it is definitely possible. The creative force behind the films, Pixar, is no stranger to this challenge. The “Toy Story” franchise, also a Pixar creation, garnered spectacular reviews for both the second and third movies.
But what will it take for “Monsters University” to achieve the same level of success as its predecessor?
“I think it’s going to be really funny,” junior Katherine Laheen said. “It’ll be interesting to see something that was first made so many years ago.”
What made the first film so extraordinary was the delicate balance between hilarious and heartwarming scenes. While laughs were abundant throughout, there were also several emotional moments that tugged at viewers’ heartstrings. The sweet relationship between Boo and Sulley was one of the best aspects of “Monsters Inc.,” so Boo’s absence may mean that this movie will focus more on funny college stereotypes.
“In every aspect of my life, ‘Monsters, Inc.’ has changed me,” sophomore Daniel Combs said.
Now it’s time to see if “Monsters University” does the same.