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Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I never thought much about it before, but it dawned on me while watching Monsters University that Pixar essentially makes bedtime stories for both sides of the page, the reader and the read to.

This formula, blending the concerns of parents and their kids into familiar, high-energy family entertainments, has been the stock and trade of the studio for almost twenty years now. It’s not surprising then, that in a period of creative drought the gang are returning to the world of Monsters Inc., a universe that takes the idea of that ultimate bedtime story villain, the bogeyman, and turns him on his head. The only question is whether the same audience enchanted by the adventures of Sully, Mike and Boo will go out for a prequel that sends the two monsters to college and jettisons the little tyke altogether.

At first glance, Monsters University...

Looking back to one’s college years and what is remembered the most could be a myriad of experiences including sleepless cram sessions, school pride in athletics, on-campus protests and stacks of cardboard pizza boxes. So what would the focus be in Monsters University?

Surprisingly, the scale of the tale is a small and simple, neither amplified by multiple layers or 3D glasses. The prequel to Monsters’ Inc. reveals how Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sullivan (John Goodman) met in college and overcame their differences to discover the best in each other while trying to get into the Monstropolis School of Scare. One is a devoted, overachieving scholar, the other a born natural and latest in a long bloodline of legendary scarers. One quick look and you know who is who, even though they haven’t gained the freshman fifteen quite yet. They don’t make a good first impression on...

The friends you make in college are the ones you make for life, right? Monsters University certainly thinks so, using the film as a prequel to Monsters, Inc. to tell the origin story behind how Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley’s (John Goodman) scare-tastic team came to be. After a class field trip to Monsters Inc., Mike sets his eyes (ahem, eye) on going to Monsters University and becoming a Scarer. The problem is – no one thinks Mike is scary. Despite his enthusiasm, things only get worse when he ends up in class with the large, brash Sulley, a monster who has the right look (and the famous Sullivan name to back it up), but who also has it out for “know-it-all” Mike. After a mishap during their final, the rivalry and tension between Mike and Sulley only increases and Mike decides that entering the Scare Games is the only way to get his dream of becoming...

For the world premiere of Monsters University in Los Angeles on Monday, Hollywood Boulevard was completely shut down for a monstrous tailgate celebrating Disney and Pixar’s latest film. The festivities included a performance by the M.U. marching band and rally squad, games such as "Eek Ball" and "Sulley’s Shuffle Air Hockey," as well as a live Espn play-by-play commentary on the blue carpet. “Pixar is just spectacular,” Joel Murray, who voices the film’s “mature” student Don Carlton, told The Hollywood Reporter. “It is just first class from day one. They really just go out of

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©2013 Disney/Pixar

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a professional Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (Mu). But during his first semester at Mu, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot Mu legacy James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s Monsters University is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and executive produced by John Lasseter.

Monsters University is the origin story of how Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) met and became best friends and the best scaring team at Monsters, Inc. Since it takes place before the duo work at Monsters, Inc., it's a mostly new voice cast. Here are the voices you'll hear:

· Aubrey Plaza ("Parks and Recreation") gives voice to Claire Wheeler, the somber president of Monsters University's Greek Council and emcee for the annual Scare Games.

· Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, "Animal Practice") was tapped to voice Brock Pearson, vice president of the Greek Council and enthusiastic emcee of the Scare Games.

· John Krasinski (Big Miracle, "The Office") provides the voice of "Frightening" Frank McCay, a Scaring super star at Monsters, Inc.

· Charlie Day (Pacific Rim, TV's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") provides the voice of the incomparable Art, an Oozma Kappa...

©2013 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” welcomes some of Hollywood’s top stars to its roster of voice talent for this summer’s frighteningly funny comedy adventure, opening in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013.

Joining Billy Crystal and John Goodman are Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina, Dave Foley, Sean P. Hayes, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Bobby Moynihan, Julia Sweeney, Aubrey Plaza, Tyler Labine, John Krasinski, Bonnie Hunt, Beth Behrs and John Ratzenberger.

Also revealed this week were the story and screenplay credits. Directed by Dan Scanlon, “Monsters University” features a story and screenplay by Daniel Gerson & Robert L. Baird (“Monsters, Inc.”) and Scanlon.

Scanlon says the cast was able to bring the story to life with great ingenuity and enthusiasm. “Working with this group of actors was an extraordinary experience. They each brought a unique level of humor, emotion and creativity...

The cast of Disney-Pixar's Monsters University are ready for their class picture! The complete voice cast of the highly anticipated Monsters, Inc. prequel has been revealed, and we've got the breakdown of who's who.…

Pics: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Flicks of the Summer

In theaters June 21, Monsters University follows the college shenanigans of Michael "Mike" Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James "Sulley" Sullivan (John Goodman), showing how the two overly competitive "Scarers" went from mortal enemies to best buds, despite being kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program. The frightfully funny film is directed by Dan Scanlon (Cars, Mater and the Ghostlight) and features music by Disney-Pixar regular Randy Newman (Monsters, Inc., the Toy Story movies and more).

The voice cast for the film includes the following:

• Billy Crystal reprises his role as Mike Wazowski, now a college-age monster who follows his dream of becoming a Scarer at Monsters University.

• John Goodman returns as James P. Sullivan (Sulley), an overly...

It doesn't matter what shape or size you are at Monsters University. All are welcome, be you big and blue and ever-so-hairy or small and green and ever-so-snarky. Take a look at the whole gang here in this brand new Monsters University poster and let us know which would-be scarer you're most looking forward to meeting.If you've been keeping up to date with the latest Monsters University trailers and one-sheets, you'll already be aware of the generously moustachioed Don Carlton (Joel Murray), the many-legged Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren), the double-headed Terri and Terry Perry, the five-eyed Squishey and the extremely bow-legged Art. Have a look at their individual character posters below for a better look.{Monsters University Character Posters}Monsters University is out in the UK on July 12, 2013.  brightcove.createExperiences();...

A well-designed new poster is in for Disney Pixar's Monsters University with characters including Sully (John Goodman), Mike (Billy Crystal), glass-wearing Randall (Steve Buscemi), Don Carlton (Joel Murray), Art (Charlie Day), Terri & Perry and Scott "Squishy" Squibbles. These join the recent character posters we added for each of the above, including the Helen Mirren-voiced Dean Hardscrabble. Dan Scanlon directs the animated follow-up for Monsters, Inc, which recently found 3D re-release in December, 2012. Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton script the Kori Rae-produced film which opens June 21st via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

A well-designed new poster is in for Disney Pixar's Monsters University with characters including Sully (John Goodman), Mike (Billy Crystal), glass-wearing Randall (Steve Buscemi), Don Carlton (Joel Murray), Art (Charlie Day), Terri & Perry and Scott "Squishy" Squibbles. These join the recent character posters we added for each of the above, including the Helen Mirren-voiced Dean Hardscrabble. Dan Scanlon directs the animated follow-up for Monsters, Inc, which recently found 3D re-release in December, 2012. Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton script the Kori Rae-produced film which opens June 21st via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

This summer’s highly anticipated prequel, Monsters University, will be taking us back to the college days of Mike Wazowski and Sulley, and naturally there’s a lot to look forward to with that basic premise.

The first full-length trailer landed earlier in the month, giving us a longer look at some of the great new characters coming our way in a few months’ time. And now Disney have released a new set of character posters, introducing us to each in a bit more detail.

“Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Screaming with laughter and fun, “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,...

Monsters University has unveiled new character artwork ahead of its release this summer.

Pixar's Monsters, Inc prequel heads back in time to focus on Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), revealing how they first met at university and overcame their differences to become friends.

Alongside Mike and Sulley, new posters and 'ID cards' have been released for characters Art (Charlie Day), Don Carlton (Joel Murray), Terri and Terry Perry (Dave Foley and Sean Hayes), Scott Squibbles (Pete Sohn), Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren), Professor Knight (Alfred Molina) and Randy Boggs (Steve Buscemi).

Monsters University will debut in the Us on June 21, 2013 and in the UK on July 12.

> 'Monsters University': Helen Mirren role revealed in new trailer

> 'Monsters University' debuts Mike Wazowski-themed poster

Watch the new Monsters University trailer below:...

"Your future is knocking, open the door." Time to meet all of the main characters from Pixar's Monsters University, their prequel to Monsters Inc, one of my all-time favorites. We've seen a a few good trailers, campus videos, viral videos and more, but now a set of 8 character posters & student IDs to go along with them have debuted (via Total Film/Empire). Besides Mike and Sulley, the roster includes purple guy Art, Randy Boggs (also from Monsters Inc), Terri & Terry Perry, "Squishy", Don Carlton and the rather ominous Dean Hardscrabble. The Faculty ID without a poster is "Professor Knight" but he's in the trailer. Meet the new class of Monsters University in these 8 character posters and student IDs, via Total Film: For all of our Pixar coverage, follow this category. For more about Monsters University, visit their website. A look at the relationship between monsters Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal...

Get ready for a good dose of nostalgia as Mike and Sully return to their college dorm room days in the first-ever Disney Pixar prequel Monsters University. Today, we have a slew of new character posters and a couple of 'lost' Student I.D. Cards, which serve to introduce this roster of lively characters. Meet the students and staff of Mu, with Scott "Squishy" Squibbles (Pixar director Peter Sohn), Terry and Terri Perry (Dave Foley and Sean Hayes), Art (Charlie Day), Randy Boggs (Steve Buscemi), Don Carlton (Joel Murray), Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) and Professor Knight (who refused to pose for his poster).

Monsters University comes to theaters June 21st, 2013 and stars Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Joel Murray, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Peter Sohn, Jeff Pidgeon. The film is directed by Dan Scanlon.

Check out brand new character posters for Monsters University, including James P. Sullivan (John Goodman), Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi), Don Carlton (Joel Murray), Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) as well as several characters which we don't know as yet as to who voices them - Terri and Terry Perry and Scott "Squishy" Squibbles. The Disney Pixar film directed by Dan Scanlon, opens on June 21st and follows Monsters, Inc's Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan who are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Check out brand new character posters for Monsters University, including James P. Sullivan (John Goodman), Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi), Don Carlton (Joel Murray), Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) as well as several characters which we don't know as yet as to who voices them - Terri and Terry Perry and Scott "Squishy" Squibbles. The Disney Pixar film directed by Dan Scanlon, opens on June 21st and follows Monsters, Inc's Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan who are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Disney and Pixar has premiered eight new character posters from the upcoming Disney/Pixar prequel Monsters University that gives you a look at several of the new characters as well as the familiar from the new movie. Below are looks at previous characters such as Sulley (voiced by John Goodman), Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal), Randall (voiced by Steve Buscemi) and then the new characters include Dean Hardscrabble (voiced by Helen Mirren), Don Carlton (voiced by Joel Murray and others. In Monsters University we learn Mike and Sulley weren't always the inseparable pair we came to know in Monsters, Inc.. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sully overcame their differences and became the best of friends. Check out this batch of new posters below and on the second page. Monsters University arrives on June...

It's been 11 long years since the original Monsters, Inc. but that hasn't dimmed fans' love of Sully and Mike one iota. In fact, chances are you've jotted down Monsters University's release date into your diary already - July 12, for the record - and you're really rather excited about these eight new posters. So what are you waiting for? Get clicking!A couple of pointers for anyone who isn't obsessed with the world of scaring: that can of soda Terri is carrying reads 'Blort', which is perhaps the best name for any soft drink ever; it's still not clear what the P in James P. Sullivan stands for; Randy (Steve Buscemi) looks great in glasses; that business card on Don Carlton's (Joel Murray), um, 'hand' does indeed say 'Don Carlton, Scarer' and yes, you do want Squishy's Ok jumper.And as this is a prequel about Mike and Sulley's college years,...

The erstwhile “Berke” Breathed, who at some point in the last two decades learned what a “berk” was in British slang and decided to extend his professional name, presents one of the most interesting and stark success stories in the history of modern American strip comics: he lept to fame with Bloom County, almost from the moment it launched in 1980. [1] And then he ended that strip in mid-1989 (cementing its role as the quintessentially ’80s strip, for anyone with an axe to grind about that decade), partly for creative reasons and partly for overwork issues, to work on a spin-off, Outland, that never had the wide appeal or impact of its parent, even as it got more Bloom County-ish as it went along.

Every other major strip cartoonist before Breathed had a different reaction to success, creative unrest, and pressures of work: they all corporatized, bringing on gagmen and inkers...