With Pixar going full throttle into sequel and spinoff mode, we can only hope the movies that are coming latched onto previous successes won’t tarnish those films. “Toy Story” has done a good job of building both the world and characters across three films, while “Cars 2” and the forthcoming spinoff “Planes” seem to exist merely to maintain the lucrative branding opportunities. But in just a few weeks, “Monsters University” will be coming, and the jury is still out on whether it’s a cynical cash grab or honest and respectful prequel, though thus far, it seems to be leaning toward the latter.
Three new clips give a pretty good taste of the tone, and it’s the same enjoyable, inventive vibe that folks fell in love with the first time around. This time we go back to the college days of Mike and Sulley, and initiations take center stage, as well the always awkward interactions between new roommates. It’s pretty fun stuff, so hopefully the rest of the movie is just as charming.
“Monsters University” opens for enrollment on June 21st.
