MOVIE: Monsters University (2013)

by benmweilertNo Comments
Monsters University Year: 2013 Rating: G Length: 104 minutes / 1.73 hours When Pixar made Monsters, Inc. (2001) and created this unique universe full of monsters that use screams as part of their economy, they also brought forth a few questions derived from their world-building. For instance, could monster screams also power their society? If screams are energy like electricity, are all their cars electric? Do you have to go to college to get a job as a scarer? The prequel, Monsters University (2013) answers this last question. Since Pixar films are usually appropriate for children, this movie is likely to be the most family-friendly college film ever made. The core of Monsters University plays off the idea that hard work and grit can lead to success almost as much as natural talent and nepotism can. It’s a little disheartening that the final result of this dichotomy is that sometimes you will still fail after all that hard work. However, this is an important lesson...
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MOVIE: Finding Dory (2016)

by benmweilertNo Comments
Finding Dory Year: 2016 Rating: PG Length: 97 minutes / 1.62 hours As is the case with the rest of Hollywood right now, Pixar is cashing in on the nostalgia factor of their previous films. Just like Monsters University (2013) before it, Finding Dory (2016) brings together the same team of voice actors who brought their respective originals to life more than a decade ago. And while this sequel was more akin to the likes of Toy Story 2 (1999), the amount of time between the two films really gives Pixar the chance to show off how much the power of computers has advanced in that time. Unfortunately, while the visual style has been drastically updated, the plot has not. In its purest essence, Finding Dory is just like Finding Nemo (2003): a fish separated from its parent tries to find their way back home while the parent does everything in their power to find their child. I would have liked a bit more originality from...
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