Vasconi 1

Dawson Vasconi

Dr. Waggoner

Intro Comp: Writing as Inquiry

31 October 2016

The Adult Monster

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            The children’s film, Monsters University is a Disney film, but not a politically correct children’s film. Its “G” rating speaks very little for its adult humor. While the 2013 film was loved and appreciated by many, one must acknowledge the inappropriate innuendos laced throughout the film. Looking at this film critically, school is a side act for what the real act is, Greek Life. The director intended the message to the viewer to be confident to do what you love and not let others interfere with your goals. However, as an older viewer now, the director’s intentions are masked. As Mike, the one eyed green monster, steps on campus as a scare major the story is laid out. The journey Mike is taken on involves characters like Sullivan, the blue monster, and Randall, the sly snake. Mike and Sullivan work together and against each other to make this movie a very enjoyable watch for an older viewer who is finally experiencing college life.

            In several scenes, social college life is shown. At parties, Sullivan takes a Beer Pong shot as seen in the picture above. However, the the camera zooms in to the ball’s in air flight and pans out landing on another monster who has a tic tac toe board drawn on his chest. In reality, the younger audience sees this as being silly and rather comical. To an adult, it brings them back to parties at the “frat houses” where Beer Pong is a staple to a fun time. Another note, several party goers carry around red solo cups. What is in the cup? Nobody knows, but an adult can make an assumption.

            Ironically enough, the film’s title does not mean much to the story. While the film begins in the setting of Monsters University, it quickly shifts to off campus to nonacademic events. There are two scenes in the entire movie that takes place in class at the University. All other scenes revolve around fraternities and sororities such as Oozma Kappa and Ror Omega Ror. If the film is trying to have a positive connotation about college, they do a poor job at expressing the educational side. As a result, the example of partying and sticking to social activities over school work lessens the chances for it to be a children’s film. The film slowly shifts away from textbooks and teachers to a film of competition and wanting to impress other monsters.

            The overall positive goal of the film seems to teach the viewer that sticking with what you believe in can be accomplished. Mike had never been scary and never was going to be scary, but his hard work and effort got him in the scare program. Upon arriving to campus, Mike has a rough time adjusting and is constantly ridiculed, but he sticks to the books and becomes the best he can be. After getting kicked from the program, Mike still pushes to find a way back in by challenging the dean. He makes a deal with her. After winning by cheating, he is kicked out of school. This is very negative for a children’s film because it promotes cheating and in the end, the final scene shows the Mike and Sullivan together working a job in the big leagues, Monster Inc. Cheating should result in a consequence not getting what you want.

The director of the film had big shoes to follow after creating Monsters Inc. I believe he filled those shoes, but in a different way. This film appeals to both the younger and older generation. In order to do this, he used adult innuendos and childlike jokes to please both parties. It was an overall very enjoyable movie to watch. As a critic, it’s negative to see school as a side job leading to a much more social atmosphere as the main idea of a children’s film. Furthermore, the director’s intended message to provide the viewer with the confidence to do what they love and not let others interfere with their goals does not come across in complete innocence. His message was received, but the way in which this children’s film was made seems to need more consideration for its “G” rating. Monsters University is not a politically correct children’s film.

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