MONSTERS, INC.

Starring the vocal talents of: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn and Mary Gibbs
Directors: Peter Docter, David Silverman and Lee Unkrich
Running Time: 92 mins
Certificate: U

Out to buy on DVD September 7th

We've all heard about monsters that live in your bedroom closet. They come out at night and scare you and the only safe place is under your covers. What you didn't know is that it's nothing personnel, it's just their job. Children's screams are the power source for the city of Monstropolis and Mike (Crystal) and Sully (Goodman) are the top scaring team at Monsters Inc. The golden rule at the company is that no monster should ever come in contact with a human child, as they are toxic but when one follows Sully back through her closet door all hell breaks loose in Monstropolis.

3D computer animation is killing off the traditional 2D style, not just because it looks better but also because they seem to be better written and more adventurous. Look at Titan A.E., The Emperor's New Groove and Atlantis and compare them to Shrek, A Bug's Life and Toy Story, on story alone they win hands down. The characters are more memorable, they are funny, exciting and all have elements that both adults and children can enjoy. I'm not saying that all animation should now be computer generated, I'm saying that the same amount of effort and thought should go into the traditional style as it does with the CG movies. We all remember The Jungle Book, Beauty and The Beast and The Lion King, so it still can be done.

Which brings me to Monsters, Inc. Coming from Pixar, the people who bought you the Toy Story movies and A Bug's Life, the expectations for this movie were extremely high and the good news is that it surpasses them. Pixar movies are becoming huge events in the release calendar. People look forward to these films as we do the new Spielberg, Lucas or Cameron movie. You might have to wait some time for them but when they arrive you are very rarely let down.

With each movie Pixar create, they push the envelope on new CG techniques and this film is no exception to the rule. It looks amazing. The backgrounds are stunning and the set pieces have to be seen to be believed, you won't be able to take you eyes of the superb end sequence, it is a roller coaster ride of laughs and thrills. It is the character design that really stands out though. Mike and Boo are cuteness personified and in Sully they have created a remarkable looking character covered in ultra realistic looking blue fur, who's every move results in hair movement that just looks real.

As good as the characters look they would be nothing without the people behind the microphone. John Goodman and Billy Crystal make Mike and Sully a brilliant comedy double act. They both really let loose with their characterisations and make them come across as true friends. Great support comes in Steve Buscemi as the villainous Randall Boggs and James Coburn as Monsters Inc's CEO Henry J. Waternoose but this is Mike and Sully's movie.

As this is a Pixar movie, make sure you stay right until the end of the movie credits and enjoy the out takes and best of all the Monsters Inc factory Play. (Don't leave when the Monsters Inc sign comes up and wait an extra minute or so and the play will begin)

This is a must-see movie and make sure you don't miss. If you are embarrassed about seeing a kid's movie, as you haven't got children of your own and you don't want to look sad, then grab a young cousin, niece or nephew or even a friend's child and see this film. I promise you won't regret it.

Disc One:

Choice of Viewing Presentation: Fullscreen Version of the Film (1.33:1) - Specially Reframed For Standard TV & Widescreen Version of the Film (1.85:1) Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX Sound Effects Only Track
THX Certified with THX Optimizer Audio
Commentary by the filmmakers -- Director Pete Docter, Co-Director Lee Unkrich, Executive Producer John Lasseter and Executive Producer and Screenwriter Andrew Stanton

Disc Two:
(Divided Into Two Worlds: The Monster World and The Human World)

Outtakes: Including "Company Play" Performance of "Put That Thing Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me"
"For the Birds" Animated Short
Music Featurette "If I Didn't Have You"
Exclusive Sneak Peek of Finding Nemo, Disney/Pixar's New Upcoming Feature

Monster World
Welcome To Monsters, Inc.
Your First Day History of the Monster World - How Monsters Evolved Employees' Handbook Menu Screens
Your Fellow Employees
Hazard I.D.
Symbols Repetitive Scare Injury
C.D.A. (Child Detection Agency) Contamination Safety Check & Alert Procedures
The Cafeteria
Top 10 Ways To Get Fired
Sample Scare Report
Gain 10,000 Pounds
Personals And More
Monster of the Month Awards
Scarer Cards -- Fun-Filled Facts About All The Monsters
New Monster Adventures -- Special Animation Created For This Release, Including "Mike's New Car" -- All-New Animated Short Created Exclusively For The Monsters, Inc. DVD (with the voices of John Goodman and Billy Crystal)
Monsters, Inc. TV Treats
Boo's Door Game
Disney/Pixar Storytime -- "Welcome To Monstropolis."
Music Feature "If I Didn't Have You"
Behind the Screams -- On The Job With Mike and Sulley

Human World
Go Behind the Scenes and See How MONSTERS, INC. Was Created

Discover How Computer Animation Works
See How Monstropolis Was Created
Animation Gags
Location Flyarounds
Never-Before-Seen Tests
Abandoned Concepts
Monsters, Inc. Guide to Inside Jokes
Pixar Tour
Pixar's Animation Studio - Take a Tour of Pixar's Animation Studio
From Story to Storyboard
Story Is King
Monsters Are Real
Original Treatment
Story Pitch
Abandoned Concepts
Original Opening
Storyboard To Film Comparison
Monster Files -- Cast of Characters, What Makes A Great Monster, Character Design
Design -- Monstropolis, Setting the Scene, Color Scripts, Location, Flyarounds, Monstropolis Art Gallery, and Guide to "In Jokes"
Animation -- The Animation Process, Early Tests, Opening Title Animation, Shots Department, Master Lighting, Production
Demonstration Music and Sound Design -- Monster Songs -- includes "If I Didn't Have You," Mixing Demo, Binaural Recording, Sound Design
Theatrical Release -- Premiere, Theatrical Teaser, Theatrical Trailer #1, Theatrical Trailer #2, TV Spots, International Elements, Toys, Posters

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