MONSTERS, INC.
DVD release date: November 10, 2009
Blu-ray version

The Monster’s Inc. DVD set has long been a favorite of mine, but now it’s on BOO-ray! To this day, the original set remains one of my favorites for being so jam packed with fascinating behind the scenes footage, artwork, documentaries, and lots of treats.

The DVD set also was one of the most “fun” DVDs I’ve seen to this day. For no reason whatsoever, a chimp often appeared in the various video segments, just to add to the whimsy of it all.

I still remember the great fun I had exploring this DVD, seeing footage of John Goodman and Billy Crystal singing “If I Didn’t Have You,” seeing the flyarounds of the various sets in the film and plenty of other truly unique features.

The charming Pixar shorts For the Birds was on the set, which also introduced a new short, Mike’s New Car and The Monsters, Inc. Company Play and even an orientation video for new Monsters, Inc. employees.

This DVD also had two of the most creative games I’ve seen on a DVD. They are actually Japanese games but it didn’t matter. In one, you have to choose who will come through the door. Would it be Sully, Mike Wazowski or Boo? It was truly random and you had no way to know who it would be. My son and I had so much fun doing that together!! There was also a rock, paper, scissors type game as well, also played with true randomness.

With all of that, I’m just thrilled all of my favorite things are included on the new Blu-ray set, and a few new BOO-NUS FEATURES as well:

The FILMMAKERS ROUNDTABLE is a perfect addition to the set. Now, eight years after its initial release, key members of the crew gather together to reminisce in this 21 minute feature, along with great artwork, storyboard sketches and video footage.

The film was released shortly after one of our country’s darkest periods… the 9/11 attacks, and the Pixar folks remember how that affected their work. One scene was even changed in view of the tragedy.

On a much lighter note, we get to learn more about why that random chimp was seen throughout the DVD set.

There’s also a SNEAK PEEK OF RIDE AND GO SEEK at Tokyo Disneyland. Having been to Tokyo Disneyland a few times, I know that they have extraordinary attractions and this fantastic eight minute piece proves that once again they’ve outdone themselves. It was a complete treat for me to get this sneak preview and a look behind the scenes at the creation of this phenomenal new attraction.

Finally, bringing my favorite DVD set to the future, there’s ROZ’S 100 DOOR CHALLENGE. This started out as what seemed to be a bunch of questions and simple activities. I thought, “Holy moly! 100 of these?” Then it got a little more fun. And even more fun! These challenges take advantage of the Blu-ray format to offer up a fantastic variety of challenges, ranging from tricky activities such as unscrambling an image to mind teasers, so you must think very scarefully!

You really need to concentrate and use logic to advance in this feature. One question about a clock is certain to create a lot of energy in Monstropolis because it’s sure to get people screaming! For me, it wasn’t easy, but sure fun, and when I finally figured it out, it was like, “Of course! I should have known that!”

I think this challenge is just a preview of the types of things we may see from Blu-ray in the future. Not just movies, but complete Blu-ray interactive games are possible. Earlier in the year Disney released some Hannah Montana and High School Musical games, and it will be exciting to see the types of game releases that are sure to be released in future years.

Although there are only a few additions to the original DVD set, I’m delighted that my very favorite DVD set is preserved on Blu-ray, and the new additions fit in absolutely perfectly, in my opinion, bring this set to new heights for Blu-ray discs!

I just can’t say enough about this top-notch Blu-ray set, monstrously packed with all the fright stuff!