Monsters, Inc.

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Traveta reviews

Monsters, Inc.
Distributed by
Buena Vista Home Video

    Cover

  • Cert: G
  • Cat.no: 23968
  • Running time: 93 minutes
  • Year: 2001
  • Pressing: 2002
  • Region(s): 1, NTSC
  • Chapters: 32
  • Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
  • Languages: English
  • Subtitles: None
  • Widescreen: 1.85:1; Fullscreen: 4:3
  • 16:9-Enhanced: Yes
  • Macrovision: Yes
  • Disc Format: 2 * DVD 9
  • Price: $29.98
  • Extras:Sound Effects Only Track, Audio Commentary with Pixar crew members,Outtakes, Mike’s New Car animated short, For the Birdsanimated short, Pixar Company Tour, Story featurettes, Monster Files,Music and Sound Featurettes, Design Featurettes, Animation Featurettes,Monster TV Treats, Ponkickles 21, Interactive Game, Disney Storytime,Music Video, Behind-the Screams, Orientation to Monsters Incorporated.

    Directors:

      Peter Docter, David Silverman, and Lee Unkrich

Screenplay:

    Robert L. Baird, Rhett Reese, Jonathan Roberts, Andrew Stanton

Voice Cast:

    James P. Sullivan: John Goodman
    Mike Wazowski: Billy Crystal
    Celia: Jennifer Tilly
    Randal: Steve Buscemi
    Waternoose: James Coburn

It looks as though computer generated films have crossed the gap betweenkid fare and conventional cinema.But don’t get all excited and heraldJimmy Neutron: Boy Geniusas a great, the only guys who can pull the gaptogether are the people at Pixar. Being the only person in the world tohate Shrek (Eddie Murphy was the only saving grace) you will not findany comparisons to it here. Toy Story 1 and 2, A Bug’s Life, and nowthis, all are great. And in this movie you’ll find what all thecommotion was about and recognize it for it’s good attitude andatmosphere. Just don’t go in expecting Toy Story 3 and you’ll be fine.

Imagine a parallel world to ours where monsters really do live in ourclosets. But eliminate all gruesome visions of the monsters we’ve seenin films (that means Carrot Top too by the way) and imagine that they’rejust simple creatures with a job. They cross into our world throughcloset doors and proceed to scare children. Turns out, to them, achild’s scream is a means of energy that they use to power their city.But it’s getting harder to scare children apparently and MonstersIncorporated needs a new weapon.

That’s where monstes James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski come in. James,voiced by Goodman, is a master scarer and generates enormous numbers forthe company with the help of friend Mike, voiced by Crystal. But whencovering for Mike by doing his paperwork one night James accidently letsa child into the monster world. Early on we are told that children areconsidered toxic to them. Now James and Mike have to get the child backto her world before things esculate further out of control.

A good film with a likeable plot, great characters, and the obviouscharm that only Pixar can place. Granted this is not as good as the ToyStory films but there are enough jokes and good humor to keep kidsentertained as well as adults. Try to catch the Ray Harryhausenreference early on to see what I mean.

Disney has included both a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and a 4:3 fullframe transfer on the same disc. What I am I going to tell you about thevideo? Of course it’s great! It was made in the computer realm andtransfered directly from that source so of course we get a greatpicture. Colors are bright ans sharp and backgrounds are well detailed.Just watch the scene when Mike and James are walking down the street,going to work. Talk about blinding to the eyes.One of the best transfers from Disney, hands down, if not the best.

Audio is presented in only Dolby Digital 5.1. You readers in the UK gota DTS 5.1 option on the R2 disc but I know why we didn’t. Some peopleare too ignorant to realize how good widescreen is over here and a fullframe transfer inclusion took up precious disc space. With that said(has anybody picked up on how much I really hate full frame? …“yes, but Buena Vista in the UK only let the 2-disc release be thewidescreen one, making those with a single-disc suffer in fullscreen”– DVDfever.co.uk Ed) the audiois very good. Surround channels are used well and it fits the moviewell. Listen to the ending sequence with the doors to see what I mean.

Not to be outdone by a certain CGI generated green creature’s DVD’smammoth sales, Disney has produced a two disc set with some decentextras. Here’s how the list stacks up:

  • Sound Effects Only Track:Different since seperate tracks usually focus on the film’s soundtrack.
  • Audio Commentary:The people at Pixar produce a fun commentary track worth listening to.
  • Mike’s New Car:Disc 2 runs for 207 minutes total and starts with this funanimated short created exclusively for the DVD andVHS release of the film. Pixar creates fun shorts and this is just that.Shown in full frame and it runs for 3 minutes and 44 seconds.
  • For the Birds:This animated short was shown with the film in thetheaters. Actually pretty funny. Shown in anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreenand runs 3 minutes and 26 seconds.
  • Outtakes:A collection of the outtakes shown at the end of the film. Shown in full frame.
  • Pixar Company Tour:This bonus is actually listed again in the doornamed Pixar. A short segment showing the company and how everythinghappens. We see them riding around on scooters and such. I guarenteeit’s not all rainbows and sunshine all the time though, it can getpretty hard creating a CGI flick.
  • Story Featurettes:Several featurettes on the story process. Showsstoryboards, how they made it into the script, and some deleted items.
  • Monster Files:3 featurettes are featured here. The first interviewsthe voices behind the characters and the othes deal with how themonsters thmselves were created.
  • Music and Sound Featurettes:Detailing the sound and music recording process. Interesting.
  • Design Featurettes:How the film was put together. Features a guide to the manu “in-jokes” in the movie.
  • Animation Featurettes:How the CGI process is used. This is what a lotof people will want to know about and these featurettes do that well.
  • Release:This is what I wish more DVDs had. A look at the release andpremiere of the film. This features just that and a look at the toys andmechandise plus advertising items.
  • New Monster Adventures:A sub-menu featuring cool stuff. A link toMike’s New Car is here for some reason. First we get Monster TV Treats,a collection of segments featuring Mike and James, these are actuallyquite funny. Ponkickies 21 is two clips of a Japanese show where Mikeand James guest star. Interactive Game and Disney Storytime areincluded. A music video is included to round it out.
  • Behind-the Screams:A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Gotta love that cheesy title.
  • Orientation:This is different. Several links to gudies to working for Monsters Incorporated.

    Overall, as far as I’m concerned, Disney has produced a stellar pack ofsupplements. Take that Shrek… whoops I mentioned that movie.

    Monsters, Inc. is presented in 32 chapters. Packagine is amaray with aseperate holder included for disc 1. A collecible book is also included.

    Overall, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to enjoy Monsters, Inc.and adults will not be bored to tears. I have to say it, this movieblows Shrek to pieces in my opinion and establishes the fact that Pixarare the only ones who can do it. Here’s to Monsters, Inc. 2.

    FILM CONTENT
    PICTURE QUALITY
    SOUND QUALITY
    EXTRAS


    OVERALL
    Review copyright © Traveta, 2002.

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