Monsters University

About Monsters University

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. “Monsters University” bravely explores themes of self-discovery and the revelations that come with growing up.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I had the privilege of previewing the movie at the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer Meet-up back in May and I loved it then. I have watched it twice since I received my review copy and I love it even more now. The movie is rated G but please note, there are some rather scary scenes, Dean Hardscrabble and the librarian are both menacing creatures so I suggest using caution when allowing your little ones to watch. You know your kids and what they can and cannot handle. I always recommend parents previewing any media/video/television/movie/game/music before allowing their children to consume it.

The Bonus Features

I LOVE bonus features…when they are done right and the bonus features disc that comes with the Blu-Ray Combo pack are awesome. Hubby and I spent about an hour and a half the other night just watching the bonus features disc and learning more about Pixar, how animated movies are made, how the music fits in and much, much more.

 Bonus Materials Overview for These Products:

Digital SD
Digital HD
4-Disc Blu-ray 3-D Superset (3D + 2BD + DVD + Digital Copy)
3-disc Blu-ray 2-D Superset (2BD + DVD + Digital Copy)
3-Disc Blu-ray 2-D Combo Pack (2 BD + DVD)

High-Definition & Standard Definition Digital
• Bonus offerings vary per select digital retailers
Includes:

• Campus Life – What’s it like being on a production crew at Pixar? Get a look at a day in the life of the “Monsters University” crew through their own eyes.
• Story School – This documentary examines the challenges of creating a prequel as well as themes that run through the story, and the change in focus from Sulley to Mike. We’ll also look at how gags are developed – from writing jokes to brainstorming a million ideas, only 5% of which actually end up in the movie.
• Scare Games – At Pixar, we play hard while we work. The same people who keep the film production moving – producers, managers, coordinators and artists – are also the ones who bring spirit and excitement to some of our extracurricular activities. We check out the MU production teams as they go head to head in the mostly playful Pixar Scare Games competitions.
• Welcome to MU – Sets aren’t just buildings, they are the worlds our characters live in and explore. This look at the Monsters University campus and its development is told from the perspective of the artists who created each piece of the campus from the architecture to the ivy leaves. .
• Music Appreciation – Randy Newman’s scores are a mainstay of Pixar films, and this documentary will give you a privileged look at his creative process. We follow the “Monsters University” scoring process from spotting to writing and on to the scoring session. including special college-themed recording sessions.
• Scare Tactics – Animators are actors who digitally bring the characters to life. In this look at how the MU animation team worked, you’ll see their process of how they channeled their own monster-selves and created moments on screen that were really funny, really scary and also really serious, sometimes all at the same time.
•  Color and Light – How can a single painting set the tone for an entire scene? We’ll look at the creation of the colorscripts and how they were realized technically in the final film. Along with the process, this piece explores the many layers of technical innovation required to produce such a naturalistic feel.
•  Paths to Pixar – MU Edition – When one door closes, sometimes another door opens – one with an even more exciting opportunity behind it. Members of the MU crew tell their own compelling backstories and share the challenges they overcame along their paths to Pixar.
•  Furry Monsters: A Technical Retrospective – Explore the difficulties in creating characters that are 20 years younger with tools that are 10 years more advanced in this contrasting look at the differing technical challenges that arose when making “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Monsters University.”
• Deleted Scenes – Four separate scenes – “Rivalry,” “Recon,” “Movie Night,” and “Drama Class” – are highlighted with an introduction from director Dan Scanlon.
• “The Blue Umbrella” – This animated short film from Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Saschka Unseld and produced by Marc Greenberg, played in theaters in front of “Monsters University.” “The Blue Umbrella” tells the story of an evening commute in which the rain starts to fall and the city comes alive to the sound of dripping rain pipes, whistling awnings and gurgling gutters. And in the midst, two umbrellas—one blue, one not—fall eternally in love.
• Additional Bonus Features – Audio Commentary, Promo Picks, College Campaign, Theatrical Campaign, Set Flythroughs, Art Gallery and more!¬

Bonus Materials for These Products:
DVD
Includes:

• Audio Commentary
• “The Blue Umbrella”

I haven’t gotten to watch it with the audio commentary on yet…but I will soon. My favorite bonus features on this Blu-Ray are Campus Life, Story School and Music Appreciation. “The Blue Umbrella” Pixar short is amazing and is now one of my favorite Pixar shorts of all time.

Order your copy of Monsters University today! It is the perfect Halloween gift for the whole family!

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When I visited in July, that exhibit was all from Monsters University. Check out this video I took of the exhibit.

Join Mouse House Memories

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Now, go mark you calendar…right now!

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Thursday

Today is media day at SeaWorld Orlando for the new Antarctica attraction. I get to experience SeaWorld Orlando’s new attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, will transport you into a rarely seen, icy world. Feel the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride. Explore a massive penguin colony in an expanse that envelops them in cool extremes, both above and below the penguins’ icy world.  It’s a must-see, one-of-a-kind theme park experience only at SeaWorld in Orlando. I will be there from 1pm til about 4pm and I am assuming I’ll be tweeting with #Antarctica unless we are told differently when we check in.

After SeaWorld I’ll be meeting up with Jordan at Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney for an early dinner before we check into our hotel room for the night.

Friday

Friday morning we get up at about 3:15am so that we can be dressed and ready to check-in for the Disney Parks Blog Monstrous Summer Meet Up by 4:15am at the Transportation and Ticket Center. The Magic Kingdom is open from 6am Friday-6am Saturday and we will be there bringing you all of the #MonstrousSummer fun! At 9:45am we are heading to a special showing of the new Disney-Pixar film Monsters University! After the movie it is back to the Magic Kingdom to meet up with friends and play in the park until it closes Saturday morning.

Saturday

Happy birthday to me! Today is my 49th birthday and I get to spend the first 6 hours of my special day at the Magic Kingdom. Once we leave the park at 6am we carefully travel the 90 minutes back home so we can nap. IF we wake up on time we have 2 different graduation parties to attend so we can celebrate with friends who have finished their high school careers.

Sunday-Monday

Sunday starts off with church and then we head to my mom’s house where we will spend 2 days relaxing by the pool and celebrating Mother’s Day (since I had the flu that day), My birthday, Jordan’s 18th birthday, my dad’s birthday and Summer’s high school graduation.

PHEW! I’m tired just typing all that! I hope you’ll follow along all weekend and share in all the fun.

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Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theaters.

Enjoy the newest trailer for Monsters University and then go to the MU website and scroll to the bottom of the page to take the MAT and see if you have what it takes to enroll in MU. I scored a 987 so I should have no problem getting in! After you take the test come back and leave me a comment and tell me your MAT score.

Stay up-to-Date on all the latest Monsters University news by following MU on Twitter and Facebook. Mark your calendar for great family entertainment on June 21st when Monsters University comes to a theater near you.

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Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” welcomes some of Hollywood’s top stars to its roster of voice talent for this summer’s frighteningly funny comedy adventure, opening in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013. Joining Billy Crystal and John Goodman are Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina, Dave Foley, Sean P. Hayes, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Bobby Moynihan, Julia Sweeney, Aubrey Plaza, Tyler Labine, John Krasinski, Bonnie Hunt, Beth Behrs and John Ratzenberger. Also revealed this week were the story and screenplay credits. Directed by Dan Scanlon, “Monsters University” features a story and screenplay by Daniel Gerson & Robert L. Baird (“Monsters, Inc.”) and Scanlon.

Scanlon says the cast was able to bring the story to life with great ingenuity and enthusiasm. “Working with this group of actors was an extraordinary experience. They each brought a unique level of humor, emotion and creativity to their work that not only complemented their individual performances, but made the overall story come together in a really wonderful way.”

OOZMA KAPPA (OK)

A collection of wholesome, good-natured misfits, the adorable brothers of Oozma Kappa (OK) have bonded over their inability to make it through the Scaring Program. With only four bodies in the house, they don’t even have enough members to compete in the Scare Games. What they lack in Scariness and self-confidence, they make up for in heart.

• MIKE WAZOWSKI (voice of Billy Crystal)-Mike Wazowski’s lifelong dream is to become a Scarer at Monsters, Inc.—and he’s sure he knows just how to do it. Ever since he was a young monster, Mike’s had his eye on Monsters University, home of the world’s top Scare Program. Now a freshman and hopeful Scare student, he’s well versed in the rich history, theory and technique required to reach his goal, and the little green one-eyed monster has more confidence, enthusiasm, determination and heart than all of his classmates combined. But unexpected roadblocks derail Mike’s plans and he’s forced to team up with a group of misfit monsters and an unlikely ally to give it the old college try and pull off the biggest coup in the University’s history.
• JAMES P. SULLIVAN—“SULLEY” (voice of John Goodman)-When it comes to Scaring, Sulley’s a natural—his abundant size, fierce roar and family legacy of a long line of high-achieving Scarers make him a shoo-in for the esteemed Scare Program at Monsters University. But from the moment the overly confident monster steps his big furry feet on campus, it’s clear he’d rather crack jokes than books—and he learns the hard way that his unfettered talent and family ties can only get him so far. With his ego bruised and future in jeopardy, a stubborn Sulley must put his pride aside, team up with an odd bunch of misfit monsters and actually work if he wants to live up to his true Scaring potential.
• TERRI & TERRY PERRY (voices of Dave Foley & Sean Hayes)-When it comes to Terri and Terry, it’s hard not to ask, “Are two heads really better than one?”  These bickering brothers have little in common: Terri with an “i” is a real romantic who’s quick to spot the silver lining in any situation, while older brother Terry with a “y” sports a more cynical outlook on life. If they can stop squabbling long enough to work with their Oozma Kappa brothers—they might be able to put their heads together—literally—and find their place in Monsters University’s Scare Program once and for all.
• SCOTT “SQUISHY” SQUIBBLES (voice of Pete Sohn)-Scott Squibbles gives new meaning to the term “undeclared.” A sophomore whose dream of becoming a Scarer was squashed in his first year at Monsters University, “Squishy” is a bit of a wide-eyed wanderer—small, sweet, naïve and quiet—who, not surprisingly, still lives with his doting mother. But with a little help from his Oozma Kappa brothers, Squishy begins to realize he’s more than just that shy monster in the corner.
• ART (voice of Charlie Day)-The ultimate free spirit, Art is a mysterious monster with a questionable background. By far the strangest member of the Oozma Kappas, Art bowls over the competition—sometimes literally—with his unique dexterity and wild-card ways. Nothing is scarier than the unpredictable, especially when it comes to this furry ball of bad.
• DON CARLTON (voice of Joel Murray)-Is a “mature” student at Monsters University and a founding member of the Oozma Kappa (OK) fraternity.

• CLAIRE WHEELER, GREEK COUNCIL PRESIDENT (voice of Aubrey Plaza)-Claire Wheeler is the Greek Council president at Monsters University, and this year she is one of the chosen emcees for the school’s annual Scare Games. Don’t be fooled by Claire’s brooding exterior and monotone drawl—banal in appearance, on the inside she is a galvanizing force of school spirit who diligently warns the Scare Game participants of the dangers they will face.
• BROCK PEARSON, GREEK COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT (voice of Tyler Labine)-This preppy-looking fraternity monster has been chosen to assist the Greek Council president in emceeing the school’s annual Scare Games. Jock-like and what some might refer to as a “meathead,” Brock is a loud, enthusiastic emcee who relishes the danger of the Scare Games’ challenges.

Additional Cast:

• RANDY BOGGS (voice of Steve Buscemi)-Monsters University freshman Randy Boggs has big aspirations for college life. The peculiar lizard-like monster with his host of gangly arms and legs plans to major in Scaring and lead an active social life filled with fun, friends and fraternity parties. If only he could get his embarrassing disappearing habit under control, he’d be good to go, because how is he ever going to be a great Scarer if nobody can see him?
• DEAN HARDSCRABBLE (voice of Helen Mirren)-To Dean Hardscrabble, there are scary monsters and there are all other monsters. It’s no surprise she feels this way—she is, after all, a legendary Scarer and Dean of the School of Scaring at Monsters University. Aspiring Scare students must be up for the challenge to impress her, though she is convinced that her assessment of who is truly scary and who is not is never wrong.
• PROFESSOR KNIGHT (voice of Alfred Molina)-Professor Knight teaches Scaring 101, the introductory course to Scaring at Monsters University. With hundreds of new Scare students each year, Professor Knight must weed out the weak from the talented and identify who shows the most potential to be real Scarers. Only a few have what it takes to pass the formidable final exam and move on to the elite Scaring Program.
•  JOHNNY WORTHINGTON (voice of Nathan Fillion)  The confident president of Roar Omega Roar (ROR), a Monsters University fraternity that prides itself on its notable Scarers.
• CHET ALEXANDER (voice of Bobby Moynihan)  Is a yes-monster member of the Roar Omega Roar (ROR) fraternity.
•  MS. SQUIBBLES (voice of Julia Sweeney) Is the indulgent mother to Monsters University sophomore Scott “Squishy” Squibbles.
• “FRIGHTENING” FRANK McCY (voice of John Krasinski) Is a Scaring super star at Monsters, Inc.
• KAREN GRAVES (voice of Bonnie Hunt) Young Mike Wazowski’s grade school teacher .
• CARRIE WILLIAMS (voice of Beth Behrs)  The fearless leader of the Python Nu Kappa (PNK) sorority.
•  John Ratzenberger  returns to the Pixar recording studio as the voice of a Monsters, Inc. employee.

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”).

Are you as excited about this movie as I am? Leave me a comment and let me know

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