Monsters, Inc. 3D (2001) [Blu-ray 3D]

Rated:	G
Starring:	John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn.
Director:	Pete Docter, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich
Genre:	Animation \| Adventure \| Comedy \| Family \| Fantasy
DVD Release Date: 02/19/2013

***PLEASE NOTE: A Blu-ray 3D disc is only compatible with 3D Blu-ray players.***
Tagline: Since the very first bedtime, all around the world, children have known that once their mothers and fathers tuck them in, and shut off the light, that there are MONSTERS hiding in their closets, waiting to emerge! What they don't know is: it's nothing personal. It's just their job.

Monsters, Inc. is a factory which sends monsters around the world to scare kids who are trying to sleep. It's nothing personal, in fact the screams are used to power Monstropolis where the monsters live. This job isn't easy for the monsters, who believe children are toxic. James P. Sullivan, a large woolly blue monster, is one of the company's top scarers. Teamed up with a troublesome green one-eyed monster named Mike Wazowski, the two roommates and best friends are finding that today's kids are not as easily scared as they used to be. One night Sulley accidentally lets a young girl named Boo into the monster world. Now Sulley and Mike must risk their own safety as they race to get Boo back into the human world without letting anyone know of her existence.

Storyline: A city of monsters with no humans called Monstropolis centers around the city's power company, Monsters, Inc. The lovable, confident, tough, furry blue behemoth-like giant monster named James P. Sullivan (better known as Sulley) and his wisecracking best friend, short, green cyclops monster Mike Wazowski, discover what happens when the real world interacts with theirs in the form of a 2-year-old baby girl dubbed "Boo," who accidentally sneaks into the monster world with Sulley one night. And now it's up to Sulley and Mike to send Boo back in her door before anybody finds out, especially two evil villains such as Sulley's main rival as a scarer, chameleon-like Randall (a monster that Boo is very afraid of), who possesses the ability to change the color of his skin, and Mike and Sulley's boss Mr. Waternoose, the chairman and chief executive officer of Monsters, Inc. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Kenneth Brown on February 9, 2013 -- How does Pixar do it? How does a single studio churn out so many wondrous animated films, with so few exceptions? I once thought it had something to do with raw talent. John Lasseter's innate ability to assemble the best artists, technicians, writers and directors in the industry; master storytellers and visionaries of the highest caliber. But with so many critically acclaimed feature films under the animation studio's belt -- not to mention its array of award-winning animated shorts -- I suspect something far more sinister may be powering the Pixar empire. Arcane rituals? Dark magic? Blood-soaked sacrifices to a Lovecraftian god? Only Lasseter's inner-circle knows the true nature of the studio's connection to the Abyss, as anyone and everyone who has pursued such answers has never been heard from again. Still, so long as the Pixar wizards continue producing smart, sharp and infectiously funny family flicks like Monsters, Inc., and so long as the abomination that is Cars 2 remains an isolated freak of nature, I personally don't care what beast, demon, or fiend they invoke.

In the bustling city of Monstropolis, children's screams are a precious commodity. Their shrill shrieks not only power the entire electric grid, they create jobs for countless Monsters, Inc. employees and provide a slew of tentacled beasties with all the creature comforts a hard-working monstrosity could ask for. Unfortunately, children have become more difficult to frighten over the years. Rolling blackouts are just the beginning of what Monsters, Inc. CEO Henry J. Waternoose (voiced by James Coburn) sees as a sign of tough times to come. Thankfully, he has Scarers like the blue-furred James "Sulley" Sullivan (John Goodman) and cyclopean prep-man Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) to keep enough screams on tap. However, when Sulley accidentally allows a little girl to wander through her closet portal, he changes the fates of Monsters, Inc. and Monstropolis forever. After realizing she isn't a threat -- monsters learn at an early age that children are toxic and their touch is deadly -- Sulley has to convince Mike to help him return the girl to her world, avoid the Child Detection Agency (the CDA for short), and keep her presence a secret from rival Scarer Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi), a deceitful chameleon with an agenda all his own.

Monsters, Inc. is blessed with a brilliant premise; one that deconstructs fundamental childhood fears, transforms a city of toothy titans into a city of sympathetic Everymen, and brings enough comedy, action, adventure and heartfelt sweetness to the table to make its buddy picture all the more effective. Goodman, Crystal and crew bring their all to their voice sessions, creating genuine... erm, human beings with a penchant for fur and scales rather than the horned caricatures they could have been. Sulley and Mike aren't just cartoon characters, they're endearing would-be heroes and loyal companions. Their fellow monsters are used primarily for gags, sure, but the whole of Monstropolis has a familiarity that feels oh so right. Pixar's animation helps of course, weaving so many tiny touches and clever easter eggs into each locale that surprises lie around every corner (even for those of us who've seen the film more than a dozen times). The jokes earn laughs, the banter never falls flat, the adventure remains tense, and the third act's climactic chase scene is as exciting and invigorating in 2013 as it was when Monsters, Inc. debuted some twelve years ago. And while I'm edging dangerously close to hyperbole, not a second goes to waste. Seemingly tangential subplots have satisfying pay-offs, minor characters aren't rendered expendable, and the writers rarely indulge in the sort of pop culture references that undermine the potential of other modern animated films.

Pixar's canon is full of memorable characters, but the central trio in Monsters, Inc. represents a perfect mesh of heart (Sulley), spirit (Mike) and soul (Boo). Compared to the sometimes smarmy wildlife that frequents the Ice Age and Madagascar franchises (and others like them), the Monsters, Inc. gang actually warrants the love their fans afford them. Selflessness isn't a learned trait here, it's an inherent one. Relationships aren't contrived, they're natural and convincing. Conflict isn't derived, it's discovered. Humor isn't forced, it flows from an already mesmerizing story rife with opportunity. Even the animation stands out. While it's a bit dated in light of the strides made in Ratatouille, Wall-E, Up and Brave, the characters and environments are so easy on the eyes that it never really matters all that much. Tech-heads may grumble at the way a snow cone glances off Sulley's back, but anyone with an affinity for film or animated classics will simply shrug their shoulders and roll with the punches. Likewise, irritable animation critics may complain about the occasional stockiness of Boo's movements, but cinephiles will reach for another tissue and brace themselves for Sulley's heart-wrenching farewell.

Concept, execution, screenwriting, art direction, voice acting, comedy, animation... literally everything about Monsters, Inc. contributes to its success as an unforgettable film. Parents will be as enthusiastic about the proceedings as their children, and kids of all ages will be caught up in the adventure no matter how many times they've seen it unfold. If you haven't already introduced it to your brood, be sure to pick up Pixar's classic monster romp -- in 3D no less! -- and share it with your entire family.
Cast Notes: John Goodman (James P. "Sulley" Sullivan [voice]), Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski [voice]), Mary Gibbs (Boo / Mary [voice]), Steve Buscemi (Randall Boggs [voice]), James Coburn (Henry J. Waternoose [voice]), Jennifer Tilly (Celia [voice]), Bob Peterson (Roz [voice]), John Ratzenberger (The Abominable Snowman [voice]), Frank Oz (Fungus [voice]), Daniel Gerson (Needleman / Smitty [voice]), Steve Susskind (Floor Manager [voice]), Bonnie Hunt (Flint [voice]), Jeff Pidgeon (Bile [voice]), Samuel Lord Black (George Sanderson [voice] [as Sam Black]), Jack Angel (Additional Voice [voice]).

IMDb Rating (04/16/13): 8.6/10 from 296,647 users Top 250: #44

Additional information

2001, Disney (Pixar) / Buena Vista

Features:

Compared to the initial 2009 Blu-ray release of Monsters, Inc., Disney's new 5-disc 3D Blu-ray release features the addition of a trio of new, exclusive extras -- an extended 3-minute Monsters University Sneak Peek; Partysaurus Rex, a Toy Story short; and Outtakes and Company Play, the gag reel from the Monsters, Inc. theatrical credits -- and only leaves one extra on the production bay floor: "Ride and Go Seek," a promotional tour of the Monsters, Inc. attraction in Tokyo. In other words, no big loss... and no big gain. Partysaurus Rex and Outtakes and Company Play are certainly welcome additions, but a 3D-centric featurette or documentary would have been appreciated, and many of the recycled DVD extras on Disc Three are still presented in SD (and still have their share of issues). It all amounts to an excellent supplemental package, though, no matter how you slice it, so I doubt anyone will get too worked up about it. Especially when the new release offers an upgrade to 7.1 audio and the film itself in 3D.

Outtakes and Company Play (Disc 1, HD, 5 minutes): The gag reel that appears in the film's theatrical credits. "Outtakes and Company Play" is presented in 3D on Disc One only.

Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex (Discs 1 & 2, HD, 7 minutes): Featured before the recent theatrical presentation of Finding Nemo 3D, Partysaurus Rex finds everyone's favorite neurotic toy dinosaur letting loose and living a little. Presented in 3D on Disc One and 2D on Disc Two.

For the Birds (Discs 1 & 2, HD, 3 minutes): Still one of my favorite Pixar shorts, this amusing animated gem involves a group of mean-spirited birds getting their much-deserved comeuppance when they pick on the wrong victim. Presented in 3D on Disc One and 2D on Disc Two.

Sneak Peeks (Discs 1 & 2, HD, 14 minutes): Includes a new Monsters University's extended 3-minute promo, the Monsters University trailer, and previews for The Little Mermaid, Wreck-It Ralph, Planes, Mulan and Mulan II.

Audio Commentary (Disc 2): Director Pete Docter, co-director Lee Unkrich, writer Andrew Stanton, and executive producer John Lasseter dig into Monsters, Inc., its genesis, characters, storyline, and cultural relevance. Along with the requisite technical details, they briskly plow through the film's themes and finer narrative points, making their analysis particularly engrossing and their informative discussion a welcome addition to this release.

Filmmakers Round Table (Disc 2, HD, 22 minutes): Filmed at the Hidden City Cafe, the fabled Pixar hotspot, Docter, Unkrich, producer Darla K. Anderson, and story supervisor Bob Peterson laugh their way through an amiable chat about their work at Pixar Studios, their contributions to Monsters, Inc., and the development and eventual release of the film. Both thoughtful and informative (and peppered with concept art, sketches, and early renders), this newly produced Blu-ray exclusive is well worth any fan's time as it offers a personable introduction to the clever minds responsible for one of Pixar's finest.

Mike's New Car (Disc 2, HD, 4 minutes): Mike gives Sulley a tour of his brand new car in this fun short culled from the original DVD release of Monsters, Inc.

Roz's 100 Door Challenge (Disc 3, HD): An interactive employee placement exam that finds the perfect role for applicants at the Monsters, Inc. facility. However, it's more of a trivia game than a personality quiz, so the setup is a bit misleading.

Pixar Fun Factory Tour (Disc 3, SD, 4 minutes): John Lasseter hosts a tour of the "new" (now eight-year-old) Pixar Studios offices. It's a bit bizarre and borders on random, but kids will probably get a kick out of it.

Story Featurettes (Disc 3, SD, 22 minutes): A quartet of pre-production featurettes. "Story is King" showcases the Pixar Story Department, "Monsters Are Real" gives the cast and crew a brief opportunity to discuss the monsters and their world, "Original Treatment" focuses on an early pitch for the film (one that features a version of the tale that pales in comparison to the final film), and "Back to Work" sees Peterson pitching a scene to the production team.

Banished Concepts (Disc 3, HD, 10 minutes): A collection of five abandoned scenes that open with an introduction by co-directer Lee Unkrich. Some of the deletions feature finalized animation, but most are comprised of animated storyboards and early pre-viz inserts.

Storyboard to Film Comparison (Disc 3, HD, 16 minutes): Watch a single scene's original storyreel, its finalized rendering, or in a split-screen comparison of the two.

Designing Monstropolis (Disc 3, SD, 5 minutes): Another initially awkward featurette with co-director David Silverman (on a scooter, no less) that nevertheless manages to effectively explore the efforts and ideas that produced Mike and Sulley's city.

Set Dressing (Disc 3, SD, 3 minutes): A dry look at the virtual props and cameras used to bring several Monsters, Inc. locales to animated life.

Location Flyaround (Disc 3, SD, 7 minutes): This series of extended environment pans and 360 degree interior spins show off some of the film's streets, rooms, and locations. The quick tours would have been great had they been presented in high definition, but the animators' finer textures and more minute details are lost in the featurette's standard definition haze.

Monster File (Disc 3, SD, 7 minutes): A two-part EPK that introduces the film's monsters, delivers interviews with the voice actors, and looks at the animators' character designs.

Animation (Disc 3, SD, 26 minutes): Six segments are included. "Animation Process" explains how Pixar produces its films, "Early Tests" finds Mike and Sulley models being run through their paces, "Opening Title Animation" touches on award-winning illustrator Geefwee Boedoe's title sequence, "Hard Parts" reveals the challenges the filmmakers faced, "Shots Department" shows how the animators spot-checked tricky hair and fabric shots, and "Production Demonstration" allows viewers to watch a scene develop through four stages of animation: storyreel, layout, animation, and final color.

Music & Sound (Disc 3, SD, 7 minutes): A pair of featurettes that examine the film's sound design and Billy Crystal and John Goodman's rendition of "If I Didn't Have You."

Release (Disc 3, SD, 17 minutes): This section includes footage from the film's premiere, two theatrical trailers, four TV spots, an overview of the changes made to accommodate international releases, a multi-language clip reel, a merchandising featurette, and the outtakes that appeared during the theatrical release's credit sequence (thankfully presented in high definition). Of note, the HD outtakes are actually about five-and-a-half minutes long, not seven as it states in the features menu.

Monsters Only Section (Disc 3, SD, 12 minutes): A few additional featurettes from the standard DVD round out the main package. "New Monster Adventures" offers a collection of TV vignettes, two non-interactive animated activities produced for a Japanese television show, and a "If I Didn't Have You" music video; "Behind the Screams" is an interview with Mike and Sully about their work for the company; and "Orientation" serves up a trio of animated videos -- "Your First Day," "History of the Monster World" (drawn and narrated by animation legend Bud Luckey), and "Welcome to Monsters, Inc." -- created for new Monsters, Inc. employees.

Art Gallery (Disc 3, HD): Nearly 900 pieces of concept art -- including character designs, color tests, early renders, and more -- make this a thoroughly extensive art gallery.

Wrap-Up (Disc 3, SD, 1 minutes): A farewell from the filmmakers.

Standard DVD Version of the Film (Disc 4, SD)

Digital Copy of the Film (Disc 5, SD)

Subtitles:

English SDH, French, Spanish

Video:

Widescreen 1.85:1 Color
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio:

ENGLISH: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
SPANISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
FRENCH: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 2.0

Time:

1:33

DVD:

# Discs: 3 -- # Shows: 1

UPC:

786936827415

Coding:

[V4.5-A5.0] MPEG-4 AVC

D-Box:

Yes

3-D:

3-D 9/10.

Other:

Producers: Darla K Anderson; Directors: Pete Docter, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich; Writers: Andrew Stanton, Daniel Gerson; running time of 93 minutes; Packaging: Slipcover in original pressing.
Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray 2D and Blu-ray Extras Only --- (DVD and DVD-Digital Copy --> Given Away)