The crazy kids at Pixar have been at it again with their animated beasts and this time around they’re going back in time to show how crazy things got for Mike and Sulley back in their uni days. Monsters University was an summer hit at the cinema and it’s about to get it’s home entertainment release with DVD, Blu-ray and digital download coming in November.
Set to hit the little screens on the 11th November 2013, it’s just in time to get in on the wish list action, but for anyone that missed it at the cinema it’ll also be your first chance to see the prequel to Monsters Inc. With 110 minutes of scare lesson action to look forward to, a lot of good reviews and the magic of Walt Disney Studios behind it, it’s a release that should create a bit of stir.
The story sees a young Mike, voiced by Billy Crystal, entering Monsters University and finding himself in the company of new roomies, Randy, played by Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), and Sulley, voiced by John Goodman (Argo), confirming the would-be scarers’ long standing history. However, things aren’t quite so amicable back in the old days as a tenacious Mike strives to do his best and knuckle down as a rivalry starts to develop between him and Sulley, nudged on by the devious Randy.
It’s an impressive cast with Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi being accompanied by a largely new set of supporting actors for the back story to the original Monsters film. There’s a large number of big name performances, including Helen Mirren (Hitchcock) as the Dean of the University, Alfred Molina (Roger and Val Have Just Got In) as Professor Knight and Bill Hader (Men In Black III) as the referee, Slug.
As well as the more recognisable voice actors, there’s some very cool additional support from the likes of Aubrey Plaza of Parks and Recreation fame as the Greek Council president, Claire Wheeler, Joel Murray (God Bless America) as the older student that founds Mike and Sculley’s fraternity and another class cameo from Cheers’ John Ratzenberger as the abominable snowman.
The DVD release of Monsters University will also bring the musical charm of Randy Newman to the small screen once again, following up his outstanding work on Toy Story 3. Directed by Dan Scanlon (Cars) and produced by Kori Rae, whose previous credits include Up and The Incredibles, as well as the first Monsters movie, it’s going to be a frat school scareathon in the run up to Christmas 2013.
