All the Right Notes: Monsters University

...or, an alternative title: Monsters University and "safe" storytelling

In the wake of Cars 2 (decidedly disappointing) and Brave (a lot of merit but also carries its own issues), I think a lot of people--animation fans and moviegoers alike--have been waiting for Pixar to "redeem" itself.  "Has Pixar lost its magic?" some ask.

So as Pixar began to pump out awesome advertising and trailers for their prequel to Monsters, Inc., there was a lot of hope that Monsters University would act as the catalyst to renew our trust in the successful animation studio.  Much like Brave, I was just as excited for Monsters U as everyone else.

And then the reviews came out.  All right, they seemed to say.  Better, but still not showing that "edge" of previous films like Up and Wall-E that puts Pixar's movies heads and shoulders above the rest.

"Too safe" seemed to be the words I saw over and over again.

Too safe.

And I wondered, what does that even mean?  What is "too safe" in a Pixar movie?  So, of course, I went to see it myself (with my dad, who loves animated films but can only see them with me because otherwise he feels weird at the theater--I'm certainly all too happy to oblige!).

After seeing Monsters U myself, I was--and still am--boggled by these average reviews which cite this "too safe" angle (if that is even a legitimate argument) as the movie's downfall.  Now, perhaps I'm simply too much of a sissy who enjoys her safety (that was sarcasm), but I believe that people who use this argument fail to see the timely and poignant message that MU offers not only its audiences, but the passionate and well-loved characters of its other movies.

What is that message?  Read on to find out!

All the Right Notes: Brave

...or, an alternative title: Why Brave is not a bad movie (and worth seeing in theaters).

OK, Anna, what's your deal?  Brave's been out for awhile now.  It won't be in theaters much longer.  You had the chance to write a review back in the summer.  Why, suddenly, are you taking the time to write about it?

Well, dear reader, it is because I find myself in an odd predicament.

When I first saw Brave awhile ago, I was, admittedly, disappointed.  I stated as such in a few-sentence-Facebook-status.  And quite honestly, I felt I did not have much more to elaborate on after writing that, so I didn't bother with an "All the Right Notes" review.  I did note the merits I thought the movie had, however, and I ended up happily seeing it a second time (in 3D), and actually enjoyed it more than the first time.

So, while I had (have) problems with the movie, it settled in my mind favorably, and even now I can look up and see my lovely Brave poster hanging in my dorm.

All of a sudden, however, even now when Brave has been in theaters for a month and a half, I seem to be stumbling upon some of my friends and acquaintances making the same sweep statement: "Brave is a bad movie."  And, just as inexplicably, suddenly I'm finding myself defending the very movie that I had previously spoken somewhat ill of.

This is an odd situation, and thus, I have decided that it is best for me to sit down and write my final thoughts on the matter.  Because after seeing this dismissive statement, I have been forced to really decide what I think about Brave, and, just as the title says, my opinion is thus: Brave is NOT a "bad movie," and it IS worth seeing in theaters.

Why have I finally come to this conclusion?  Read on after the break to find out!

FYI, this is the poster image hanging in my room.  It's sweeeeet.