Monsters University opens on Mike as an adorable little monster.  He’s teased and excluded by his peers, but shows early signs of spunk and smarts. On a field trip to Monsters Incorporated, his dream of becoming a scarer is born. In a blink of one eye, it’s Mike’s first day at Monsters University. He’s earned admission through hard work and determination, and nothing is going to stop him from becoming a scarer.

And then there’s Sully. He’s a legacy kid: his Dad is a scaring legend. Scaring comes naturally to him. Where Mike has memorized every factoid and considers every possible nuance for each scaring scenario, Sully just lets out a roar.

Their squabbling gets them kicked out of the scaring program, and the two monsters must win the intramural Scare Games to avoid being expelled. To compete they have to be in a fraternity, so they join the only one that will have them: Oozma Kappa, a collection of sad sacks and oddballs. Mike must whip his motley crew into shape. We see seeds of the future Mike as he leads the gang in drills of “scary feet! scary feet!” and other training regimens. Miraculously, they survive each event and make it to the finals.k.

BUT IS IT SCARY?

There’s nothing as outright scary in Monsters University as Randall’s “scare extraction” machine from the first movie. However, kids who have grown to love and enjoy Monsters Incorporated after numerous viewings may find themselves unnerved by the suddenly unfamiliar territory of this film.  The anticipation of what might happen can be very unsettling even if nothing scary actually occurs.  A number of scenes start out ominous, only to be played for laughs, (for example, Mike and Sully’s ritual initiation into OK is interrupted by the house mom doing laundry).

A few of the Scare Game events could upset younger kids.  In the first heat, they must run a gauntlet of glowing spiky balls. When they touch one, they swell up like overinflated balloons in an absurd allergic reaction. Though I read that scene as comic and silly, my four-year-old daughter rated it scary because “(being stung) would hurt.”

Another challenge takes them into a library where they must evade the giant slug of a librarian while recapturing their team flag.  She is immense and scary, and could send some kids ducking behind the seats for cover.

Then there are the scenes that while not scary, might be emotionally trying for sensitive kids.  Mike is frequently rejected and treated dismissively. When Mike and Sully together pull off an excellent prank, Sully is invited to join an uber-cool frat, but poor Mike isn’t given a second glance.    

Another difficult scene comes after the Oozma Kappas survive the first event. To their amazement they get invited to a fraternity party. At first they’re welcomed as peers.  It’s fun to see the guys fitting in and cutting loose on the dance floor.  But in a moment straight out of Carrie, it turns out they were invited only to be mocked.  (Although instead of being doused in pigs blood, it’s colorful paint, sparkles and teddy bears.  Which is totally mortifying if you’re supposed to be a scary monster). Kids who were enjoying seeing them be embraced might feel the same pain of rejection that the monsters do.

Most of the antagonists in the story are mean rather than scary. Dean Hardscrabble, a winged gargoyle with creepy centipede legs is menacing, but there is never any concern that she means to hurt our heroes; she just wants to see them expelled.

OTHER THEMES
There are strong positive messages to walk away with.  Everyone feels insecure, even the guys that seem to have it all together. And even the guys that seem like total losers have hidden strengths to draw on that can make them super cool. We can triumph by working together. And nothing makes you stronger than having a friend. 

It should be noted that the female characters mostly fall to the background. None of the key student characters is female, neither in Mike and Sully’s crew nor in their primary rivals, the ROR fraternity. There is one sorority in the competition. Its members are cookie cutter images of each other, and they are modeled after cheerleaders. The other notable female characters are the house mom of the fraternity, Dean Hardscrabble, and the scary librarian.

Bad guy Randall is back as Mike’s awkward roommate, who discovers meanness can be a route to social acceptance. Keep an eye out for cameo appearances by a few other characters from the Monsters Incorporated universe. New voice actors include Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble and Nathan Fillon as the head of ROR fraternity (go Browncoats!).

EXTRAS

The short before the movie is The Blue Umbrella, which follows a pair of primary-colored umbrellas in a sea of gray ones. When divergent paths threaten to tear them apart, street signs, drain pipes and walk signals conspire to bring them together. While it’s sweet, it lacks the emotional resonance of last year’s Paperman.

As always, El Capitan remains the place to see a Disney movie.  From the organist who entertains before the show, to the fanfare and glitter of he screen, everything about your visit tells you you’re in for something special. The pre-show for Monsters University is a Pep Rally, with monstrous cheerleaders rousing the crowd with the M.U. f(r)ight song. A few lucky kids get to go on stage to join the drumline.  But the stars of the show are Sully and Mike, who come out and really get the audience going.

It’s worth it to get the VIP seat package, which includes a drink and popcorn, and guarantees reserved seats.  Screenings can be quite full, (I saw people being turned away from the sold-out afternoon show we attended).

Monsters University is rated G and is recommended for ages 5 and up; it plays at Disney's El Capitan Theatre through August 8, 2013.

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