Monsters, Inc. Blu-ray Re-Issue To Include MU Sneak Peek

Fans have long been craving a new full-length trailer for the upcoming prequel Monsters University,  but have been left to starve for quite some time now. No trailer came with Disney's Wreck-It Ralph in November, nor with Monsters, Inc. 3D in December, although they at least attached a neat little MU promo to the latter. However, it looks as if Pixar might finally give us the full-length trailer we have all been waiting for.

While the original Monsters, Inc. is already available on Blu-ray, it is being re-issued this month, and, naturally, it will now be available on Blu-ray 3D. We recently heard that Partysaurus Rex would be included on this release, but a new promo tells us that this is not all the new Blu will include.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are getting a sneak peek at Monsters University. Now this could be the new trailer, but there's the possibility that it is something else. In 2009 when Toy Story and Toy Story 2 came to Blu-ray, both films included some awesome little featurettes with director Lee Unkrich talking about the third installment into the Toy Story series, so perhaps this MU sneak peek will be something similar to that.

What's important is that we are getting a glimpse at Pixar's latest film - isn't that what we're all dying to see?

Monsters, Inc. comes to Blu-ray 3D February 19th!

Partysaurus Rex Coming Home with Monsters

Monsters, Inc. hit theaters in 3D just last week, so it's only natural that the film is going to be given a Blu-ray 3D release in February. Pixar Talk reports that Partysaurus Rex, the Toy Story Toon that played in front of Finding Nemo 3D in September, will be included this new Monsters Blu-ray release.

Although the short can already be viewed on the official Toy Story website, it's going to be great seeing it in full high-definition and, of course, in 3D. Just imagine that colorful bathtub over-flowing right into your living room. Now wouldn't that be awesome?

Bring Partysaurus and Monsters, Inc. home on Blu-ray 3D on February 19th!

'Monsters, Inc.' Coming to Blu-ray 3D!

This news has gone rather unnoticed, but it looks like Pixar's 2001 hit Monsters, Inc. will be arriving in the Blu-ray 3D format sometime soon, although we have no idea when exactly this will be.

Amazon has a 5-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition listed for pre-order, and Disney Movie Shop has also put up an offer which will save you $8 on your purchase of this Blu-ray combo pack. However, both sites claim that this release is "coming soon", but neither one states a fixed release date. I guess we can expect this to be out sometime after Monsters, Inc. 3D has hit theaters, likely around January. One thing's for certain though, the Blu-ray 3D of the film will be out by February 18, 2013, which is the date that Disney Movie Shop's offer expires.

No word on whether or not this pack will come with new bonus features or not, but chances are that it won't, but Pixar could always pleasantly surprise us.

I do not yet own Monsters, Inc. on Blu-ray, so I'll hopefully be able to pick up this release. Be sure to also check out A113Animation's review of Monsters, Inc. in 3D, it'll give you an idea of what to look forward to in the classic comedy's re-release.

Monsters, Inc. 3D: First Trailer

Just a couple of days after the first one-sheet for Monsters, Inc. 3D arrived, the very first trailer for the upcoming re-release has hit the web. Check it out below.

While I must admit that I am a tad more excited about Finding Nemo's 3D re-release than I am for this (Nemo is more of a 3D kind of movie, in my opinion), I will no doubt go see the Pixar classic in theaters once again this December. I was two years old when it originally hit theaters in 2001, hence I don't remember it very well, so this is a wonderful opportunity to relive the experience of watching the film I know and love on the big screen, this time in fabulous 3D. Plus, it also serves as good preparation for the prequel, which will premiere just six months after MI 3D. And the door chase sequence in the film will without a doubt look stunning in the third dimension.

Look for Monsters, Inc. 3D in theaters December 19 (or January 18, 2013 if you're in the UK)!

Monster News: MU Plot Details, Monsters Inc 3D Poster

As the year of 2013 quickly approaches, the excitement for Pixar's Monsters University builds up in the hearts of hard-core fanatics of both the original Monsters, Inc. and the famed animation studio.

Billy Crystal, voice of the lovable walking green eyeball Mike Wazowski, recently spoke with EW and spilled a few plot details about the upcoming Monsters prequel.

"[Mike and Sully] end up in the same fraternity where they have this scare competition — like Greek Games in college. They have to mobilize a group, sort of like Revenge of the Nerds-monsters, and get them ready to be scary.”"

Sounds legit.

Monsters, Inc. remains one of my favorite Pixar films to date, and is, in my opinion, one of their funniest films. I can only imagine how hilarious Monsters University will be, with all the hysterical pranks that Mike and Sulley will be pulling on each other.

Speaking of the original Monsters, the teaser poster for the film's 3D re-release hit the web the other day. It's quite unfortunate that Mike won't be able to enjoy the film in the third-dimension.

Monsters, Inc. returns to theaters in 3D on December 19, and Monsters University will arrive a few months after that on June 21, 2013!

(via A113Animation/BigScreen Animation)

Monsters, Inc. 3D Now Set For December!

Disney had previously announced that, after the success of The Lion King 3D, it would be re-releasing several more films from its catalogue of animated features, two of these being from the library of beloved Pixar films. Finding Nemo 3D is set to arrive in September this year, and Monsters, Inc. 3D was scheduled for release in January 2013, but has now reportedly been moved up to December of 2012!

The 3D re-release of the original Monsters will help set the stage and excitement for its prequel Monsters University, which will hit theaters six months later. I am excited to relive the experience of watching the original 2001 film in theaters (this time in the third-dimension) as Monsters, Inc. is one of my favorite Pixar films, and one of my all-time favorite movies overall.

Monsters, Inc. 3D hits theaters on December 19, 2012, just in time for this year's holiday season!

'Monsters University' Teaser Coming Wednesday!

With Brave coming out this Friday, many fans were also eagerly anticipating the teaser trailer for Pixar's following film, Monsters University, to arrive in theaters on that same day. Now, Pixar has announced that we won't have to wait until Friday for this teaser, as it will arrive online this Wednesday!

Scheduled for release on June 21, 2013, Monsters University is the prequel to one of Pixar's most beloved films, Monsters, Inc., and follows Mike and Sulley during their days in college, when they weren't exactly the best of friends.

On Friday, the following message was posted on the official MU Facebook page:

"You’re about to discover a bit more about Mike and Sulley’s days at Monsters University."

It was accompanied by a picture with the text "5 Days" written in the iconic Monsters, Inc. lettering. Five days from Friday would be June 20, which is this coming Wednesday. I think the best guess at as to what is being released on Wednesday is the teaser trailer, don't you? After all, what else could it be?

This is actually quite an exciting event for Pixar fans around the globe, as it marks the first time we see Mike and Sulley since 2001 when the original Monsters, Inc. debuted. The teaser was screened a couple of months ago at CinemaCon, and there were reports that the whole audience had been laughing. We've heard that this teaser revolves around Sulley pulling some sort of prank on Mike, so the results ought to be hilarious.

Check back here on Wednesday (that's June 20) for the new teaser!

Does Pixar Have A Chimp?

Lee Unkrich's Twitter display pic. He loves chimps.

If you've ever seen the bonus material for the Monsters, Inc. DVD or Blu-ray, you've probably noticed the completely random "pet" chimp walking around the Pixar studios as the filmmakers casually explain how the movie was made. This has led many people have ask themselves the very same odd question:

"Does Pixar have a pet chimpanzee?"

The answer is actually no, but they did have one for a day, and that happened to be the day they were filming the bonus features for the Monsters DVD. I remember as a little boy seeing this chimp in the background when watching the special features, and thinking to myself, "Man, It would be so cool to work at Pixar, they have a chimp!"

Why on Earth would they decide, of all things, to have a chimp casually making appearances during the bonus material of one of their films? Watch as Pete Docter, Lee Unkrich, Bob Peterson, and Darla K. Anderson explain the story behind the "Pixar" chimp.

Quite a funny story, huh? I guess it was pretty hilarious to "inexplicably" have a chimp there, put just pretend like it wasn't there. Lee's love of monkeys and chimpanzees also probably had something to do with having the little ape at the studio for a day.

This chimp, however, isn't the only ape to have worked within Pixar...

'Nemo' and 'Monsters' Set to Return in 3D!

Seeing as The Lion King has been rocking the box office lately in 3D, and how Pixar's Toy Story and Toy Story 2 Double Feature in 3D back in 2009 got tons of people running to the theater, it comes as no surprise that Disney has decided to re-release four of their most beloved films in theaters,  and this time the four classics are being given the honour of being screened in the miraculous third-dimension. Out of these four films which will be getting the 3D treatment soon, two of them are, of course, Pixar films.

Returning soon in 3D are the Disney classic (and the first ever animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars) Beauty and the Beast on January 13, 2012, Pixar's beloved Finding Nemo on September 14, 2012, the other all-time Pixar favorite Monsters, Inc. on January 18, 2013 (only a few months before its prequel Monsters University hits theaters), and last but not least, one of Disney's most famous tales, The Little Mermaid on September 13, 2013.

I am very excited to see all four of these films return to the big screen; I have great memories with all these movies. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney Princess film, and I was always quite fond of the characters from The Little Mermaid. As for the two Pixar films, they are to this day still on my list of all time favorite films of all time. I remember watching Nemo in theaters (twice) when it came out in 2003, and watching Monsters over and over again at home on DVD...which I continue to do in the present day.

All these films are going to look amazing in 3D, but in my opinion, Finding Nemo is going to look the most stunning. After all, it has all the depth of the ocean, which should look fantastic in 3D, plus there are so many other breath-taking scenes, which 3D will probably bring to full power. For example, the jellyfish scene will look unreal if any previous 3D releases are any indication. If you ask me, some people in the theater may even start getting a little nervous due to the fact that there will be gigantic jellyfish right in front of their faces. And don't forget the astonishing high-speed ride with the sea turtles! That is going to look (and feel) unbelievable!

As for Monsters, Inc., I really think that the most eye-grabbing scene in 3D will be the famous door chase at the factory. If you've watched Monsters, Inc., I think you know what I mean.

We still haven't heard many details on the previously announced Ratatouille 3D re-release, however, so it's very probable that this one will be released after Nemo and Monsters, possibly in 2015 or 2016, but only time will tell. Luckily, we can now see that as time progresses more and more of Pixar's classic films are being converted to the 3D format, so we may even see A Bug's Life in 3D someday, which would be amazing!

I think that bringing all these cherished films back to theaters many years later is an excellent idea; it gives all those who grew up with the stories a second chance to relive the excitement of watching the films in the theater for the first time. And as for the younger generations, they may already be quite familiar with the movies, but they now get the chance to, for the first time, see them in theaters. On top of all this, we now get to see the movies in an all the experience...in epic 3D!

My Visit to Pixar: Brooklyn

Pixar's Phase II building as seen from Park Avenue

During my visit to the giant animation studio stationed in Emeryville on May 13th, I was lucky enough to enter the recently opened Phase II building at Pixar, more commonly known to Pixarians as Brooklyn.

I felt honoured to be one of the very first people from outside of Pixar to get to actually go inside and see the new building. The first thing I must mention is the beauty of the architecture in the building, which was absolutely marvelous. The moment you enter you realize how much planning and hard thinking went in to design the wonderful building.

Here are a few fun facts about Brooklyn:

• At the entrance, there is concept art from Brave, the upcoming 2012 Pixar feature, on display.
• Beside the door to the Brooklyn recording studio, there is the "STAND BY/SCARE" sign from the Scare Floor in Monsters, Inc.
• All throughout the building, you can find hidden metallic silhouettes of Pixar characters imprinted on the ground.
• Behind the chimney there is a secret room, similar to the Lucky 7 and the Love Lounge in the main building.
• There is another cereal bar in the second building! The only difference is that the Brooklyn cereal bar is a different style.

Pixar has not yet released images of the interior of Brooklyn, so I was not able to take pictures of the inside, but I can say that it sure was a magnificent building, and a great expansion to the Pixar studio grounds!

Monsters University Logo & Official Synopsis!

A few months ago we found out that the next Monsters, Inc. movie would be a prequel to the original, although we did not get a whole lot of details on the 2013 film. At last, we have gotten a first look at the new logo for Monsters University (pictured), along with an official synopsis which you can read below.

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Screaming with laughter and fun, “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”) and produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

It sure sounds like another great adventure for Mike and Sulley. John Goodman (Sulley) and Billy Crystal (Mike) will reprise their roles as the pair of best monster friends (or in this case, worst monster rivals). As always, we will be introduced to many new scary faces, and several characters from Monsters, Inc. will be back again for the prequel.

Monsters University screams into theaters on June 21st, 2013!

Are you excited to see Mike and Sulley on the big screen again, this time in 3D?

'Monsters University'--Prequel--Rumours Confirmed

Late on Tuesday night, it was officially confirmed by Disney and Pixar that the film set to make its debut in theatres in November 2012, will indeed be a prequel, as was rumoured in January. But of course, 'Monsters, Inc. 2' would be a bad title for a prequel, so instead, Pixar has given it the new name Monsters University. Love it.

The story will focus on Mike and Sulley's studies at the Monstropolis University of Fear, where instead of being the bestest of friends, they were arch enemies. This should be a funny movie. I can imagine Mike throwing crumpled of sheets of paper at Sulley's back during class, and Sulley looking back at him with an annoyed look on his face.

This is what Disney's executive vice president of worldwide distribution has to say:

“The film is a prequel that tells you a little bit about how [Mike and Sulley] first met, attending Monsters University,”

“Obviously everybody knows at this point Mike and Sulley are amazing friends — the best of friends — but as it turns out, in this story, that wasn’t always the case. From the moment they met at university, they could not stand each other. This story takes you through the ups and downs, and how they overcame their own differences.”

Many Pixar fans were worried that a sequel would ruin the first Monsters film's perfect ending. A prequel will let us again see our favorite monsters up on the big screen, yet leave the ending to Monsters, Inc. unaffected. I'm just super excited to watch another adventure with Mike and Sulley. They are two of my favorite movie characters of all time.

Monsters University roars into theaters November 2, 2012.

Tiny Peek at 'Monsters' 2

Moments ago, I stumbled upon some tiny pieces of information regarding Monsters, Inc. 2. According to Wikipedia, Pete Doctor, director of the first Monsters movie, announced at a Pixar convention on March 12, 2011 that he and John Lasseter would be executive producers of the film. He also stated that Boo, the cute little girl in pink from the first film would be in this next movie. This raises the possibilities of Monsters, Inc. 2 being an actual sequel, not a prequel as has been previously rumoured. If the film was going to be a prequel, I seriously doubt that Boo would be in the film, as Mike and Sulley meet her for the very first time in the first movie. But whether Monsters, Inc. 2 will be a sequel or a prequel, I am sure it will be another great adventure with the beloved characters we were introduced to in 2001.

Pixar By The Numbers

Have you ever wondered how many people currently work at Pixar? Or how long it takes to make a Pixar movie? Or how many toys are in Toy Story 3? Well, I've gone around the Internet and read my Pixarpedia and tried to answer a lot of those curious questions as best as I could. A lot of the answers are estimates, because it would be almost impossible to get the exact answers to everything. So I encourage you to read on, and let all (or at least most) of your questions about Pixar be answered!

• Around 1200 employees...or more...work at Pixar Animation Studios.
• The average Pixar movie usually takes 4 to 5 years to create...or in other words, about 1460.97 to 1826.21 days.
• As many people know, Pixar has made 11 films up to date, and will release their 12th film, Cars 2, on June 24, 2011.
• Pixar's highest grossing film, Toy Story 3, earned an estimated $1,063,171,609 at the box office. It became the 5th highest grossing film of all time, the #1 animated film of all time, and the highest grossing film of 2010.
• John Lasseter has directed 4 of Pixar's films to this day, and is set to make his 5th debut as director this year with Cars 2.
• So far, there are 9 hilarious Cars Toons, and more will be released in the years to come.
• Randy Newman has scored 6 Pixar movies, including all 3 Toy Story films.
• John Ratzenberger, considered Pixar's 'lucky charm', has voiced 9 Pixar characters, including Hamm the piggy bank and Mack the truck.
• Ever since the Best Animated Feature Film award was introduced to the Oscars in 2001, Pixar has been nominated 8 times, and has won 6 times.
• Not only has Pixar made many fantastic feature films, but the company has created 19 ground-breaking short films, their most recent being Day & Night. Their 20th short, Hawaiian Vacation, will be played in front of Cars 2.
• Pixar has received 10 Academy Award nominations for their short films, and has won 3 times.
• Pixar was founded in 1986, so the company has existed for 25 years.
• Russel, the 8 year-old wilderness explorer from Up, has over 40 badges!
• In Pixar's Ratatouille, the word 'rat' is used 51 times!
• Sulley, the big, blue, furry monster from Monsters, Inc., has around 2,137,000 hairs in total!
• Carl Fredricksen from Up uses about 10,000 to 20,000 balloons to lift his house up into the air!
• In Toy Story 3, Andy only has 12 toys left...but at Sunnyside Daycare, there are probably over 100 toys!
• In Pixar's Cars, there are, of course, over 200 cars seen in the film...probably a lot more!
• There are exactly 96 days left until the North American theatrical release of Cars 2!!!

Of course, those are only a few of Pixar-related facts, because well, with numbers, Pixar always goes.........

To Infinity, and Beyond!