Monsters University

I was 10 when Monsters, Inc. came out. Twelve years later, I'm studying at university and this movie comes out. It's great how life comes full circle. I should note that I was the oldest person in the theatre watching this (who didn't get dragged along by a child at least).

The story tells of how James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) became best friends at university years before they were the best scare team at Monsters, Inc. Their introduction to each wasn't smooth sailing, however. Whilst they are both in a scare class, they get thrown out of the program by Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) for having a fight. Together they figure out that they can back into the course by competing in the Scare Games, a group of challenges for fraternities and sororities.

I feel as though this isn't really a kids movie, as the majority of the jokes are aimed at a mature audience but at the same time aren't crass. Charlie Day's (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) character, Art, is an obvious stoner type and the film also lampoons the hazing process that takes place in fraternities (there's a great documentary by Todd Philips if you want to know more about that, Frat House). At one stage during the film, the kid behind me started crying.

John Goodman and Billy Crystal were okay in their roles, but since this film takes place earlier than the original film, I thought maybe some younger voices wouldn't have hurt, but since it's only voice acting I don't think anyone would really care.

The other voice cameos are quite a surprise. Apart from the aforementioned Helen Mirren, there is Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Alfred Molina (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Dave Foley (The Kids in the Hall). And of course I get excited when Charlie Day is in anything.

The ending of the film was a bit of let down to me as well. Both Mike and Sully's career within the Monsters, Inc. corporation is crammed into two or three minutes at the end of the film. They could have just left that out all together.

It does kind of bug me that Pixar has so much potential from their roots as innovators for originality, but now I feel as though they're doing the same things over and over (the soon to be released Planes is a perfect example).

Verdict: A decently funny prequel that could have been stronger in terms of story, but will suffice for kids and adults alike.

Also, a bonus if you live in either the UK or Australia (these are the only two countries I know of at present). Prior to the movie actually starting, there is a screening of The Blue Umbrella, a charming love story of two umbrellas that will tug at the heartstrings.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

I'm the kind of guy who loves magic. I can really buy into the illusion (thank you to Gob Bluth for teaching me that), so I was expecting to go into this movie and be blown away with a magical comedy. Don't be fooled. Just because you see Steve Carrell on the poster, don't think, he's funny, I'll go see that. Really think about it, is there something else better showing? Maybe you'd like that more.

This movie is, for the most part, largely unfunny. If it had of been a drama about an older Vegas magician who had to compete with the younger generation of magicians and was forced to return to his roots to find his passion for his craft again, I would definitely go see that. Instead we get a comedic version of just that.

Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carrell) is a 40 year old magician, who has been performing in Vegas for the last decade with his partner Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi). This pair is an obvious reference to the stage magicians Siegfried and Roy (there are multiple references to them throughout the film). Wonderstone's passion for magic has dwindled and he is constantly fighting with Anton when they are offstage. The only thing he uses his act for is sleeping with impressionable young women, rather than entertaining people.

One afternoon, Burt and Anton come across street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), as he films an episode of his show Brain Rapist. This is undoubtably a nod to illusionist Criss Angel. Upon seeing this new act, Burt's boss, Doug (James Gandolfini) gets Burt and Anton to come up with a similar sort of life threatening stunt. Anton comes up with the idea of being suspended in plexiglass box for a week.

This act ultimately fails and the two go their separate ways. Burt ends up getting a job entertaining seniors at a retirement village, where he connects with retired magician Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin). Holloway rekindles Burt's love for magic, which is perfect timing because Doug is opening a new hotel and casino, where he is auditioning magicians for the headlining act. Cue predictability.

Steve Carrell has created a very unlikeable character. I wasn't sure if he was supposed to become likeable at the end, but I didn't find him so. I wish I could say more about Steve Buscemi, but he doesn't have a lot of time for character development.

The saving grace of this film are performances by Jim Carrey and Alan Arkin. It was very funny to see Carrey channel the new type of magician that has come about in the last decade. Alan Arkin is also a great comedian, but an actor of his calibre shouldn't be drawn into the likes of this film.

Wonderstone's love interest is wannabe magician Jane (Olivia Wilde). I think I would have found their relationship more believable if it had remained platonic. The chemistry between the two wasn't really working even though Wilde is an actress of incredible range. Likewise, the relationship between Burt and Holloway was lacking, although there was great potential given the two actor's track record with each other (Little Miss Sunshine). One cameo that did make me smile was Jay Mohr as a magician struggling to get shows.

Verdict: Ultimately this comedy failed because of a dodgy plot and the fact that it tried to walk a line between a family comedy and trying to be edgy.