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Ok, So I just got back from Monster U, And I always wanted to write Reviews as a hobby. So here is my shot.

Monsters Inc was a great film that did not lead to a squeal, everything was wrapped up nicely. But with Pixar in contract to make trilogies of their highest grossing films(Cars, Toy Story and Monsters inc) one needed to be made. So we got a prequel instead. It lead to by far one of the funniest movies I have seen, aswell as a hard lesson we all need to learn being showed in the film

Plot
While Monsters Inc focused mostly on Sullivan and his journey, MU focuses on Mikes journey. It specifically focuses on his dream to be a Scarer, monsters who generate power for the world by generating scares. In order to do this he get accepted into the scare program at MU, by working hard and getting good grades, compared to Sully who gets in by family connections and is naturally imposing and scary. The two eventually butt heads and get kicked out of the program at school, but then then have the chance to compete in Greek style games to get back in, with a down and out Frat. AKA every college movie there is. That right there is the movies main flaw, it did the same thing Cars did, but in a unique setting, but adding nothing new to the genre itself.
Premise
With it being a prequel, we know Mike does not make it to be a Scarer, but more akin to a handler in the first film, despite the fact that he is working the hardest. Sully on the other hand got by on sheer natural talent, which is sadly the films main point, that sometimes you do not get what you want, despite your hard work. It is a very hard lesson but something you have to learn, that not everyone has the strength nor the ability to do what you want. The oddest part is the action and tense scenes that try to play up how a child is dangerous, despite that fact that we know they are not, leading to a loss of tension in the film.
Animation
IT is pixar, it is obviously going to be top notch, they do not get points for that.
Comedy
The first film satirized the daily grind of work, with jokes focusing on the lives of the main Characters turned upside down. MU does the same, but with it focusing on satirizing college life, to the annoying and overly peppy tour guides or the evil professors out to get you(which literally is the case in the film). Those jost are mostly for adults, but there is still plenty of well done slapstick for the kiddies without the need to be dumped down the the adults.
Final Thoughts
4/5 despite some of the flaws, witch are not apparent unless you watch plenty of college films like myself, It is a fun movie with intelligent jokes. but is also teaches kids and adults an important lesson, that sometimes you cant be what you want to be,you have to make do with what you got, even if it means playing second fiddle.

Of all the movies to get a sequel/prequel, why did it have to be Monsters? I mean, The Incredibles is just sitting there, with more potential for a proper sequel than any other Pixar movie out there, and it gets passed by at every turn.

I just hope Wall-E or Ratatouille don't get any unnecessary sequels. There will be hell to pay.

It was a deal they made, Monster Inc was a high grossing film, so they are doing a trilogy for it

I found it boring and a Pixar cash in. It is a "College" movie and follows all the right "beats" without really doing anythign with it. Boring.

Also, all prequels really struggle building tension because, well, it is a prequel.

I only laughed at "I'll just be here listening to my tunes."