Customer Reviews

Monsters, Inc. [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

This film is just a visual and audio treat. We have watched this blu-ray numerous times and each time is as funny as the last. It just seems to keep getting better with each viewing as we see more and more details in the picture, more and more subtle hints, jokes and producer tricks.

The story is moving, about monsters that work in a factory and scare children, collecting their screams for electricity to run their world. It has adult humor about the 9-5 grind, lots of laughs for the children, and of course, the bad guy. There is something for everyone in this film, and the characters are realistic, well portrayed, and you forget that you are watching a cartoon after a while. I don't post spoiler reviews, but the story is excellent here and one of their finest to date.

The DTS-HD MA sound delivers thumping bass and very realistic and believable surround sound perfectly balanced on all channels. The Subwoofer is well integrated into the sound effects for a nice deep addition to regular sound effects however, when it should thump, it really does. All channels get a good workout and really throw you into the movie. TEN stars for sound.

This cartoon may be a bit dated in terms of technical aspects but it is still an awesome display of cartoon. The picture is 1080P and just crystal clear and unbelievably cool to watch. Ten stars for video too.

After such an awesome sound/video quality, the story could be mediocre and it would still get five stars. However, the story is also very cool and entertaining to watch. This is one of the best blu-rays I have bought, and even better than some of the newer cartoons.
You can't go wrong with this Blu-Ray. A big thumbs up!

I know Monsters Inc is popular, but I've always thought of it as living in the shadow of the other Pixar films; it came nestled between the more successful and considerably more famous Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo, it's not one of the 'Brad Bird masterpieces'; it's even outshined by the comparatively duller Cars, a film that coasted into kids' hearts despite being missing something perhaps only we older Pixar afficionados can see.

This is a shame, as Monsters Inc is one of the studio's very best films, and indeed one of Disney's very best by default. First time director Pete Docter knows his stuff- the film is filled to the brim with background detail, and after the discovery of the child the pace is frantic 'til the thoroughly satisfying conclusion. Following three films directed by studio head John Lasseter, Docter paved the way for the other directors to tackle their own ideas, and ironically Lasseter's return to directing (with Cars) fell far short of the bar set by Andrew Stanton with Nemo, Bird's The Incredibles, and this sterling effort.

The Blu Ray is a stunning transfer. While it's arguable that the film's groundbreaking fur rendering looks dated now, it still looks amazing compared with lesser offerings from Dreamworks. EVERYTHING in this film, in fact, looks amazing, from the subtle hues and colours of the sky to the photorealistic blizzard and underground halls. The animation on token child Boo is so human its impossible not to fall in love with her, share her fears and her delights. Background detail is too presented with astounding visual clarity- see the combination locks in the locker room or cars in the exterior shot of the building for proof.

Billy Crystal and John Goodman are the perfect double act to lead the film, though there's good support from a spiteful Steve Buscemi as the piece's villain Randall and Bob Peterson as grumpy, paperwork-fond Roz, who really shines in the outtakes reel (which for this release has been removed from the film and put on the extras disc).

The extras aren't as excellent as I would have hoped for, though this is a catalogue release rather than a new film, so that's understandable. It's been released as a tie-in for Docter's second film as director, the apparently-awesome Up, though the significance of that is lost on us as we don't get it until October anyway. The only new extra of significance not ported over from the DVD special edition (which itself has long been out of print, and is replaced by the standard edition in the yearly 'Complete Pixar' collections) is a far-too-short (at 20-odd minutes) discussion between four of the film's creators about their inspiration and experience. I know it's essentially a kids' film by I would appreciate a longer feature all the same.

I can't recommend this film highly enough. It's touching, exciting (the door chase is spectacular in HD) and hilarious ("23 19!"). It looks amazing, everyone in the family will love something about it and you've no excuse not to buy it. Away you go.

My 3 year old daughter loved this movie and to be honest so did I. As mentioned by other reviewers the plot is well thought out and totally original. The film was released before my daughter was even born but has a timeless quality and loveable monsters.

Blu-ray all zone

Ratio of the feature film:
1.85:1

Languages of the feature film:
DTS Master Audio 5.1: English
DTS 5.1: French, Dutch
Dolby 5.1: Belgian

Subtitles for all the videos:
Dutch, French, English, English for the hearing impaired

Verdict:
An outstanding and perfect picture and sound quality, this film couldn't have been watched in better condition than it is today thanks to the blu-ray.

A totally winning combination. Great film, lovingly re-rendered in 3D with superb high definition and totally immersive surround sound soundtrack.

My favourite 3D so far, depths are clear and deep, which actually helps emphasise the background jokes, pop out 3d pops right out to tickle your glasses. Detail is fantastic, makes you want to reach out and straighten scully's hair, oh and to me the film is even funnier than it was 10 years ago.

Clearly a lot of love and care has gone into this release, and it shows in very frame. It's like an old friend has lost two stone and taken up weight training.

If you need a film to show off your system then this is it, also handy to keep the kids quiet and if you need a giggle on a Sunday afternoon. Brilliant!

I went to see Monsters inc because it was a Disney Pixar collaboration and I had loved their previous films Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Monsters inc doesn't disappoint with great gags, amazing animation and characters that everyone will adore.
Both the young and not so young will love this film. I would have given it 5 stars but then I saw Finding Nemo ( a true 5 star film!) what showed up a few flaws in this film, nevertheless you should still see this movie!!

... that there IS an art to film-making, and that Disney and Pixar are masters of this art.

Toy Story broke new ground, Toy Story 2 took the ideas there into new territory, and Monsters Inc takes the game onto a whole new level again.

Graphics, effects, lighting, sound, story, characters, voices - all are outstanding and all combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable film. Want a challenge? Try to find any real flaws...

Also, unlike many 'suitable for all ages' films, this genuinely fits the bill. Like Shrek before it, there's plenty for adults to laugh at as well as the kids. This genre seems to have a monopoly just now on films that anybody can enjoy. Why's that so rare in live-action films these days...?

Anyway, if you enjoyed Shrek, or Toy Story, you will absolutely love this. If you haven't seen any of them, jump in! You'll love 'em!

Pixar hits all the right notes, working at lots of levels to entertain all ages. Great movie.

The plot is excellent and makes sense. In fact, in my view, it makes a damn sight more sense than the Matrix. For the uninitiated, the premise here is that the monsters need to pass through special portals to scare children, as that is how they get their energy. The plot of Matrix is that all humans are keps in battery pods to extract energy, while our minds are sustained in an entirely artificial universe in order to keep them from getting too bored and switching off our bodies. Call me simple minded, but the Monsters Inc plot makes more sense to me.

The scene in Monsters Inc where they are chasing through the door/ portal warehouse, and in and out of different points on the globe, is stunning.

Five stars really doesn't give this film justice. It is the best animated film ever, yes better than shrek and definetely on par with Toy Story, if not better. This is one of my favourite films of all time, without question.
Pixar are absolutely brilliant. I mean they take such a simple yet unoriginal idea (monsters coming out of children's cupboards at night to frighten them) and they elaborate it to make an utterly fantastic film! The plot is simple yet effective, the characters are superb; Boo is the cutest character ever to grace the screen, it's hilarious; Mike is just the funniest character in this, the animation is excellent, it's just one of the finest films ever made!
The special feaures are also superb, with over 3 hours of them, you will love it! This film should be in everyone's collection. It's not just a kid's film, im 18 and i absolutely love it! I cannot stress how good this film is and if your a fan of Pixar, i cannot stress enough how important it is to have this DVD. Buy it, watch it, love it, watch it again and again and.......you can watch it again and again and still laugh it, no joke.
Buy this now, it is an outstanding film!

From the creators of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 comes Monster's Inc. A heart-warming adventure story about the epic adventures of Sulley and Mike (two very funny monsters from Monstropolis). Monstropolis relies on children's screams to power their world and without it, just like us human's, we can't survive( no TV, Internet), the lot! So it is down to the incredible duo of Sulley and Mike to scare children whilst sleeping to help power their world. On the way Sulley makes a new friend called Boo and without spoiling the film they go on some brilliant adventures with a lot of laughs on the way. Overall this film is another brilliant creation from Pixar and just like Toy Story it is a film for the whole family to enjoy, a must for the collection.