Set
in Metropolis, the feature opens with young, one-eyed Mike Wazowski
(Billy Crystal) dreaming of becoming one day a professional Scarer.
Now enrolled at the prestigious Monsters University's Scare Program,
Mike is determined and studious. Only the best Scarers move on to the
Scare Floor where terrified human children's screams serve to power
Metropolis. Mike plans, however, are derailed when he crosses paths
with the furry, laid-back Sulley James Sullivan (John Goodman), whose
father is a legendary Scarer, and with the chilling Dean Hardscrabble
(Helen Mirren).
The
feature is enhanced by superb voice talent and vibrant visuals. Pixar
adopted global illumination (GI) lighting to create a rich
environment with realistic effects. Using captivating cutting edge
detailed animation, nearly 500 colorful characters were created,
averaging more than 25 characters per shot, more than a double the
number in previous Pixar films. 
Among the featured characters are Midwestern sales monster Don Carlton (Joel Murray) who is back to school to learn new career skills, the blob-like dweeb Scott 'Squishy' Squibbles (Pete Sohn), the rainbow shaped Art (Charlie Day), the two-headed, two-eyed creature Terri and Terry Perry (Sean P. Hayes and Dave Foley) who can't stop squabbling and Professor Knight (Alfred Molina).
Themes
of friendship, teamwork, and setting realistic expectations prevail
in this funny and engaging animation, keeping the family glued to the
screen.
Preceding
the movie is a clever 6-minute computer animated short, The
Blue Umbrella,
featuring new techniques in photorealistic imagery. Directed by
Saschka Unseld, it tells the story of a blue and red umbrella who, on
a rainy day, fall in love. The street mailbox and signs come to life
to help bring the two together, leaving the viewer with a smile.
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