Fans of Monsters University can celebrate with excitement as the high definition digital release of the movie is now available on iTunes and Amazon. The movie is also only available for early release in high definition whereas the standard definition download will still be released on October 29 alongside the Blu-ray/DVD release date.
The high-definition download is split into two files – the first file being the main movie (4.09 GB) and the second file is a whopping 3.90 GB of extras and commentary – Woo Hoo! Be sure to stay tuned to Pixar Post as we’ll be posting our full review of the extras very soon. The full list of extras can be seen below the details on how you can purchase and download the movie.
Monsters University Extras
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. A preview of this feature has previously been released on YouTube and can be seen on our post here (the extra in the movie is much longer).
Monthropology – This takes a close look at the monsters themselves and how they are comprised of different shapes and how their different controls create varied emotions. It also takes a look at the arduous process of creating the character of Dean Hardscrabble.
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 color scripts 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 – Promo Picks, College Campaign, Theatrical Campaign, Set Flythroughs, and an Art Gallery
I hope all this stuff is on the Blu-ray!
Hey Rachel – yup, all of these extras will be on the Blu Ray as well. The only other thing that's yet to be determined is if the Blu Ray will have a director's commentary. There is a second audio track on the digital release, but it comes through as a blank track with no audio (I was hoping that would be the commentary). I'll be interested to see if the Blu Ray will have a full director's commentary (fingers crossed)!- T.J.
So is there Audio Commentary on the Digital Release?
Unfortunately, if it is there we haven't been able to find it. We went through the multiple tracks, menus, tried to see if we could find it streaming on an Apple TV but no luck, it looks like it's not there. Now we just have to wait and see if it's on the Blu Ray (which is still unknown as well).