Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. hits video shelves today with plenty of extra features for the DVD consumer.
In addition to the much touted, all-new short film, Mike’s New Car, the two-disc set includes Pixar’s 2001 Academy Award-winning animated short, For the Birds, and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming Disney/Pixar collaboration Finding Nemo, scheduled for release summer 2003.
Monsters, Inc. supplemental material includes "outtakes" from the film and the Company Play, featuring a performance of Put That Thing Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me, written, choreographed, produced directed and catered by Mike Wazowski.
A lot of time, energy and money have obviously gone into the creation of this DVD, which went into production around the same time as the film. The new pieces of animation are on par with the feature itself and there’s enough interactive content to keep a family busy for a week.
The DVD is divided into two areas — the Monster World and the Human World. The Monster World features new employee orientation at Monsters, Inc., including a look at the employee handbook and "Scarer Cards" — monster descriptions narrated by the "The Geeks." There is also Boo’s Door Game, a history lesson and fun facts.
The Human World takes viewers behind the scenes at Pixar Animation Studios and includes never-before-seen deleted scenes, an art gallery, animation gags and a guide to in-jokes. One of the neatest features is a location fly-around — a highly detailed virtual tour of the whole Monsters, Inc. facility as seen in the film.
For those who really like to dig around, there are also hidden Easter eggs to hunt for. Just don’t look under the bed. There may be a you-know-what under there.
See the Sept. issue of Animation Magazine for a behind-the-scenes look at Mike’s New Car.
