9 Movie Prequels That Created Massive Plot Holes

6. Mike Forgets When He Met Sully - Monsters University

The biggest mistake a prequel can make is to view the original movie as the most important adventure, being concerned more with building to that film's beginning instead of offering up a fun experience on its own.

Monsters University doesn't have that problem. Although it plays a little with audience expectations (oh look, baddie Randal started off as a geek) and sows seeds fans know are paid off later on, the central story itself - Mike and Sully's misadventures as college - is standalone and feels like an arc that can work independently of what everyone knows that follows. That doesn't mean a few plot holes aren't created along the way to its frank and realistic conclusion (turns out trying your best isn't all that's needed for success).

In the seminal Monsters, Inc., one-eyed ball Billy Crystal quips to purple-haired kitty John Goodman that he's been jealous of his good looks "since the fourth grade." And, when University kicks off with a fourth grader-age Mike on a school trip, it appears like the film's going to pay off on this throwaway line. Except it doesn't. The pair meet as college freshmen and no Elementary School antics (although would the mega successful Sullivans have sent their kid to the same school as Wazowski) are mentioned. What gives?

Director Dan Scanlon actually addressed the fan uproar over this minor inconsistency, stating original helmer Pete Doctor gave him the go-ahead to twist the pre-existing events for the good of the story. Although, knowing that wouldn't fly, he did provide an alternate explanation - the fourth grade line is a common monster phrase. Yeah, right.