MovieChat Forums > Monsters University (2013) Discussion > “Monsters” University? “Monsters” Inc?

“Monsters” University? “Monsters” Inc?

posted 11 years ago by rd-art2005
13 replies | jump to latest

Here's something that, although technically not a plot hole, is very strange.

They are monsters, living in a monster-only world. Everybody there is aware of that. So, what's the point of naming a university “Monsters University”? Same goes for Monsters, Inc. and Monstropolis. I mean, I have never heard here in the real world, a school named “Human University”.

It works well for the title of the movies, but for the institutions themselves, there's no way such a name can exist in their fictional universe.

[–] TxMike 11 years ago

Your analysis would make sense, except for one glaring fact. Those monsters were created by people in the alternate universe that we and Pixar live in. If Pixar had not created them, and also created the portals (the doors) that allow them to cross over from their universe into ours, they would not be able to generate the power to sustain their communities. Given all those facts, it is appropriate that the people in our universe determine the name of their species, Monsters, and the name of their college, Monsters University!

TxMike
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] rd-art2005 11 years ago

Pixar created the monsters. I agree with that. But inside the alternate universe, Pixar doesn't even exist. That's why it's called “alternate”, because it doesn't necessarily have the same elements of the real one.

I'm not saying that because they couldn't come up with a better name the movies are bad. I liked both movies. It's just that if you think about it, INSIDE THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE the names make no sense.

[–] TxMike 11 years ago

Don't you think you might just be taking is a bit too seriously? It is fiction, it is animated, it does involve an alternate universe, with magic portals to our universe. Given all that do you really think the name "Monsters University" is important enough to object to?

TxMike
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] rd-art2005 11 years ago

Don't you think you might just be taking is a bit too seriously?

Yes, yes I am. But I think it's sometimes funny to take seriously things that are otherwise irrelevant.

Sorry if you don't agree.

[–] TxMike 11 years ago

Life is too short to dwell too long on the merely trivial.

TxMike
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] Onholyservicebound 11 years ago

You're lame

[–] disneyhappens 11 years ago

I thought it was the name humans gave them so they decided to "own" the word and use it for themselves. You know "taking back the word" so it no longer has power over them! What Up Monstar!!

[–] scarlettbees 11 years ago

Seems like they'd be offended by the word given to them by the humans and not identify everything as Monster this and Monster that. Apparently these monsters either have really low self-esteem or simply know their place in the universe, which is to scare and be scary to humans.

[–] thereseuphemiaabernathy 11 years ago

Yeah, that's probably it. ;) It is sort of the equivalent of us having Humans University and Humans, Inc. But since their identification as "monsters" is largely relative to humans and based in their relationship thereto, I think they would have "appropriated the language" and embraced being monstrous. To us, "monster" usually has a negative or very aggressive, ferocious connotation. They're actually a lot like us, really, but since humans regarded monsters as horrifying beasts until the "laugh revolution," they did have to just take that and run with it. 8-)
(And are they all one species?? Because if so, they have infinitely more variety than humans...like Pokemon, they seem to have different "types" or "races" that share similarities with human-world animals or objects)

Saluki mom

[–] scarlettbees 11 years ago

There probably isn't "racism" in the monster universe, but clearly there's bigotry. The less scary you are, the less you are regarded in the monster world. Apparently more heads and more eyes is better than one head, two eyes, two arms, and two legs. Flying is better than non-flying. Fire-breathing is better than non-fire-breathing, etc...

Celia was probably considered super hot in the Monster world, because of those snakes on her head.

[–] thereseuphemiaabernathy 11 years ago

Lol, yes, I'm sure she's seen as quite a prize--especially for a goofy little guy like Mike! xD
I would agree with the bigotry idea, as well...certainly the scarier you can be, the more highly regarded you are...for as Hardscrabble says, "Scariness is the true measure of a monster." And until the 'laugh revolution,' everyone looks up to great Scarers with awe and reverence. (Even afterward, I'm sure they'll be historically looked upon with admiration, since they didn't know that they were working under false pretenses and living in a sort of Monster-World 'Dark Age.') I'm sure physical characteristics play a part in the bigotry, although the stereotypes don't always hold true (e.g., the two-headed Terry & Terri were ridiculed OK members, and some cute, tame-looking monsters make it as Scarers thanks to special skills or an intangible quality of scariness...some fierce attitude that makes it work for them...which is what held Mike back, his lack of the "It" factor.) But generally speaking, yeah--wings, big claws or fangs, multiple eyes or heads or limbs, fire breath...whatever might make you more impressive than the next guy, could give you an unfair societal advantage.

[–] CountOroku01 11 years ago

I've also considered what OP says.

[–] Qrispy 11 years ago

Wow what a meaningful post.

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