SPOILER ALERT: I’ll be referencing some scenes from the film so if you haven’t seen it it’s best to book mark this article for later when you’ve seen it.

Monsters Inc is easily one of my favourite Pixar films, so I’ve been fanging to see Monsters University ever since I heard they were making it. I have a crush on Sully. I lied. I actually have a crush on John Goodman. For real, I think he’s adorable. Well that was awkward. Back to the point. After an extremely busy and intense June, Mr Smaggle and I took ourselves on a well deserved date night; out for an early seafood dinner and to see Monsters University.

I freaking loved it. It was an awesome prequel to a pretty bloody perfect film without any cop-outs in the story line. I’m astounded at how Pixar can consistently make (with the exception of Cars… lets all pretend that didn’t happen shall we?) film after film that people of all ages can enjoy. They’re an annoyingly perceptive little bunch aren’t they? At the end of Monsters University I realised that there were some top notch life lessons in there. Ones that often get bypassed in other blockbuster films for fluffier and more digestible morals. I liked how realistic the plot was and how team work and persistence were the ever present themes of the film. Here are my main take aways from MU.

There’s Always More Than One Path To Your Destination

Mike’s one goal in life is to become a scarer and he thinks the only way to get there is by going to Monsters University. He’s shattered when this dream falls apart but he gets the job of his dreams eventually by following a different, less conventional path.

Just remember:

The path you want to follow might not be the right one for you. Especially if it’s the road that everyone else has followed. Keep your eyes on the destination but don’t set the map in stone. Allow room for adventure and for mistakes.

You Can’t Fit A Square Peg In A Round Hole… But You Can Drill A Square Hole.

All Mike wants to be is a scarer but there’s one problem. He’s not scary. After years of soul searching and shooting for the wrong stars Mike realises that he’s actually really funny which turns out to be much more valuable than being scary.

Just remember:

It’s way better to rock your own talent than to be mediocre at someone else’s.

You’ll Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends

Mike and Sully have one chance to get back into the scaring program at the university but they can’t do it alone. They recruit a band of misfits to be their team for the Scare Games and they realise how important it is to have friends to support you.

Just remember:

No matter how much stuff you can do on your own, you can do twice as much stuff with a friend helping you.

All Actions Have Consequences

When Sully rigs the Scare Games competition so Mike will win, Mike goes out to prove himself by entering through an unauthorised door to scare a human child. Sully follows him. They end up in a giant mess but manage to escape by working as a team. Despite their quick thinking and major accidental success, they still get kicked out of MU… which is a fantastic plot line because it’s how real life works.

Just remember:

If you screw up, you have to pay the consequences. Just make sure you do actually screw up occasionally because paying the consequences can be so much fun.

You’re Never Too Old To Follow Your Dreams

Don Carlton, the mature age student, befriends Mike and Sully and joins their Scare Games team. He follows them on their crazy adventures and gets a second chance to fulfill his dream of studying scaring at university.

Just remember:

Age is just a number and experience is priceless.

Have you seen Monsters University yet? What did you think?

Just quietly I loved the Ros cameo. Gave me quite the giggle.