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The Wild Robot is an animated sci-fi survival adventure comedy-drama film written and directed by Chris Sanders. Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by author Peter Brown, the 2024 film follows Roz, a service robot whose ship crash lands on an uninhabited island and now she must make herself familiar with her new surroundings and the local wildlife. Roz soon makes an unlikely connection with an orphaned goose named Brightbill. The Wild Robot’s voice cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames. So, if you loved the vibrant visuals, emotional and hilariously heartwarming story, and compelling characters in The Wild Robot here are some similar movies you should check out next.

The Iron Giant (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Warner Bros.

The Iron Giant...

Disney+ offers a lot of specials, series, and films perfect for the spooky season. In order to make it easier for people to find this type of content, the streaming service created a collection filled with its fall-themed content. Many of these movies are nostalgic to older audiences, as they would air on the Disney Channel every year to celebrate Halloween, but they are also creating more content all the time.

Many of the films still hold up to this day, with some of them bold enough to use darker story elements and imagery guaranteed to creep out the audience. All the content is rated from G and PG to PG-13, which allows the entire family to enjoy these films together. Nothing beats a fall night with the family huddled together under blankets while watching a movie.

Updated on September 5, 2024, by Robbie Robinson: Disney has pumped out plenty of...

Two decades after the wonderfully zippy, goofy “Monsters, Inc.” was released in theaters, Pixar is bringing back Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan for another adventure. The upcoming television series “Monsters at Work,” which premieres July 7 on Disney Plus, picks up where “Monsters, Inc.” left off, with CEO Henry J. Waternoose headed for the slammer, children deemed non-toxic, and laugh energy replacing the suddenly outmoded scream energy.

In reviving the beloved characters, voiced by Billy Crystal and John Goodman, showrunner Bobs Gannaway looked to expand the existing world with a new set of characters, among them Tylor Tuskmon (Ben Feldman), Val Little (Mindy Kaling) and Fritz (Henry Winkler). Tylor joins the company right out of Monsters University expecting to start work as a scarer, only to find out that the legendary energy company is scrambling to re-strategize. He’s instead assigned to Mift, the Monsters Inc. Facilities Team, an...

Pixar has just released a brand new trailer for the next chapter in its perennially popular “Cars” series, “Cars 3.” The teaser trailer first aired on Espn during the college football national championship between Alabama and Clemson.

The third installment in the “Cars” franchise follows the return of Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), who finds himself pushed out of the sport that he loves by a new generation of racers. In order to get back in the game, McQueen will need the talents of a young technician, Cruz Ramirez, who has dreams of her own. McQueen will also draw inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet.

Read More: ‘Cars 3’ Teaser Trailer Features The Dramatic Return of Lightning McQueen

In the first official teaser, released back in November, McQueen got into a horrible wreck. The car somersaults through the air and crashes down onto the track, pieces of it flying every which way.

Last week, Disney Pixar dropped the first trailer for their highly-anticipated animated sequel Cars 3, which brings back the iconic race car Lightning McQueen to the big screen. The trailer didn't show much footage, but it did reveal that Lightning was involved in what looked like a very serious crash on the track, along with the tagline, ""From this moment everything will change." That tagline is featured again in the first poster, which also gives us another look at Lightning literally turned upside down.

The poster comes from Yahoo! Movies, which also confirms that Larry the Cable Guy will return as the beloved tow truck Mater, alongside Bonnie Hunt as Sally. It has also been confirmed that this animated sequel will introduce two new characters, Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm, although it hasn't been announced who will voice these characters quite yet. Pixar hasn't announced when the first full trailer will arrive,...

This year, Pixar released “Finding Dory,” the long-awaited sequel to their 2003 film “Finding Nemo.” The film was yet another critical and commercial success for the beloved animation studio, but the creative team is already planning next year’s slate of films, which include “Cars 3.” The third film in the “Cars” franchise follows the return of Lightening McQueen (Owen Wilson), who finds himself pushed out of the sport that he loves by a new generation of racers. To get back in the game, McQueen enlists the talents of a young technician with dreams of her own. Watch a teaser trailer for the film below, featuring a dramatic turn of events that promise “everything will change.”

Read More: ‘Borrowed Time’ Short Film: Two Pixar Animators Made a Gorgeous Western for Adults — Watch

The film will be directed by Brian Fee. He previously worked in the art department as a storyboard artist on “Cars,...

Pixar has released the first teaser for Cars 3, and it's a foreboding preview.

The brief video clip begins with glimpses of yet another race, until Lightning McQueen starts to waver. It then shows the four-wheeled character flipping on the track in slow-motion, with sparks and debris all around.

Brian Fee directs the threequel from a script by Daniel Gerson. Owen Wilson is reprising his voice role as the spiffy red hot-rod, Lightning McQueen.

Cars 3 is in U.S. theaters on June 16, 2017.

...

Walt Disney Studios just sent us the latest trailer for the upcoming film “Cars 3″ starring Owen Wilson, Jason Pace, Jose Premole. Synopsis: Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Daniel Gerson.

The post Cars 3 Gets A New Fast-Paced Trailer appeared first on Shockya.com.

This summer, fans will be re-introduced to Lightning McQueen in Disney Pixar's highly-anticipated sequel Cars 3. Today we get our first look at this race car back in action with a new teaser trailer. Unfortunately, we don't get a look at Lightning's lovable sidekick Mater or any of the other characters from Cars and Cars 2, but it's clear from this teaser that everything will change for Lightning McQueen. Disney hasn't announced when a full trailer will be released, but it may happen soon.

Disney released this first video earlier today, which shows Lightning McQueen in the midst of a race. What's surprising is the end of this teaser shows this race car involved in a vicious car crash, with the new tagline "From this moment everything will change." Disney hasn't released any further story details at this time, but earlier this year, we got our first look at a new character.

The Oscars paid tribute to some of the film legends we lost during the past year on Sunday. Some of the iconic Hollywood figures honored during an emotional in memoriam segment, accompanied by Dave Grohl playing The Beatles' "Blackbird," included David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Leonard Nimoy, horror legend Wes Craven, composer James Horner, Omar Sharif, Christopher Lee and Monsters, Inc. screenwriter Daniel Gerson. • Check out People's full Academy Awards 2016 coverage and complete winners list!The 88th annual Awards are being presented live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Johnny Duncan, who starred as Robin in the 1949 serial film “Batman and Robin,” has died. He was 92. According to a statement provided by his family, Duncan passed away at his Florida home on Feb. 8 with relatives by his side. Born on December 7, 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri, he learned to tap dance at an early age and helped provide for his family that way. Then, at the age of 15, he was discovered by a talent scout who sent his whole family to Hollywood. Also Read: Daniel Gerson, 'Big Hero 6' Screenwriter, Dies at 49 At 26, Duncan was...

Tommy Kelly, who played the title role in the 1938 movie version of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” has died. He was 90. Kelly passed away from congestive heart failure on Jan. 25, 2016, in Greensboro, North Carolina, his son announced on Tuesday. Along with starring in the film adaptation of Mark Twain’s classic adventure story, Kelly was predominantly known for his work as a child star and went on to appear in “Gone With the Wind,” “The Magnificent Yankee,” “Life Begins for Andy Hardy,” “Mug Town,” “He Walked By Night,” “Battleground” and “The West Point Story.” Also Read: Daniel Gerson, 'Big Hero 6' Screenwriter,...

It.s always sad when we lose a great talent in the movie industry. While Daniel Gerson was not exactly a household name, he was, nonetheless, part of creating some of the most memorable animated films of recent years. As a writer, Gerson had screenplay credits for several of Disney and Pixar.s biggest hits including Monsters, Inc. and its sequel, as well as Big Hero 6. Unfortunately, we will be missing his talents going forward as Daniel Gerson passed away February 6 following a battle with brain cancer. He was only 49 years old. Gerson leaves behind a wife of 20 years, Beau Stacom, as well as two children, Claire and Asher. According to the New York Times obituary, the writer died peacefully in his home in Los Angeles. Beginning in 2001, Dan Gerson began working with Disney/Pixar by co-writing the screenplay for Monsters, Inc. along with Pixar heavyweight Andrew Stanton. In...

Talented screenwriter Daniel Gerson, who co-wrote Monsters, Inc., died Saturday at home. He was 49. Gerson had been battling brain cancer, according to a statement released by his family, but before he passed he left an incredible footprint behind. Often collaborating with Robert L. Baird on Disney-Pixar films, Gerson was responsible for prequel Monsters University and Big Hero 6, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The 49-year-old screenwriter was also credited with working on Up, Chicken Little and Inside Out, so he basically had a hand in every amazing creation to come out of Disney-Pixar's studios. He also worked on Meet the Robinsons, debatably one of Disney's most underrated animated...

Screenwriter Daniel Gerson has died after a battle with brain cancer, at the age of 49, his family announced Monday in an obituary in the New York Times. Gerson began his career as a staff writer on the NBC show Something So Right before transitioning to writing animated features for Pixar. Gerson is best known for co-writing Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, and Big Hero 6. He also voiced minor characters in those films, including company janitors Needleman and Smitty in Monsters, Inc., and the desk sergeant in Big Hero 6. Gerson was working on the script for Cars 3 at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Beau Stacom, and his two children, Claire and Asher. The obituary reads, "The humanity, humor, and compassion that he brought to his writing, he brought to his family and friends in equal measure."...

“Big Hero 6” screenwriter Daniel Gerson died on Saturday after battling brain cancer. He was 49. According to a New York Times obituary, Gerson died peacefully in his Los Angeles home. Before tackling the 2015 Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature Film, Gerson co-wrote Disney/Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” and “Monsters University.” Also Read: Joe Alaskey, Voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Dies at 63 Gerson, a New York native, started his career as a staff writer for the former NBC sitcom, “Something So Right,” and went on to write for several other series in the late ’90s before transitioning to writing feature films.

Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams; Screenwriters: Jordan Roberts, Dan Gerson, Robert L Baird; Starring: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Tj Miller, Genesis Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr; Running time: 108 mins; Certificate: PG

Disney mines the Marvel Comics back catalogue for its latest animation Big Hero 6, a delightfully entertaining East/West genre blend that's a neat addition to the ever-expanding superhero genre. Think of it as an Avengers aimed at tweens.

The story takes place in the fictional future city of San Fransokyo where Hiro (Ryan Potter), a 14-year-old tech whizz, and his brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) live with their Aunt Cass (Maya Rudolph). Hiro is directionless and constantly running into trouble, but through his older brother he begins to develop his interest in robotics.

Baymax, a rotund vinyl-clad healthcare android, is Tadashi's prize invention. Able to scan a patient for illness and injury and treat them, he comically waddles...

Stars: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell, Alan Tudyk, Maya Rudolph, Abraham Benrubi | Written by Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird | Directed by Don Hall, Chris Williams

Cursory Wikipedia research suggests that Disney’s latest animated feature bears little resemblance to the Marvel property on which it is based. Which is fine; feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there’s exactly a horde of Big Hero 6 fans to outrage. Disney’s film is certainly a lot more cutesy than the source material. At no point does Baymax, the movie’s inflatable, medical robot, transform into a ‘battle dragon’. Rather, he is the creation of Tadashi Hamada, a university student who tragically dies in a fire shortly before successfully inspiring his younger brother, Hiro, to make more of his outrageous...

Yay! One of my favorite animated films of 2014 topped the recently announced 2014 Annie Awards honoring excellence in the field of animation. Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi's "The Boxtrolls" received 12 nominations including Best Animated Feature. The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at UCLA.s Royce Hall. For more information on the Annie Awards, click here.

Here's the full list of nominees for the 2015 Annie Awards

Production Categories

Best Animated Feature

Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studios

Cheatin' - Plymptoons Studio

How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation

Song of the Sea - Gkids/Cartoon Saloon

The Book of Life - Reel FX

The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika

The Lego Movie -Warner Bros. Pictures

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - Gkids/Studio Ghibli

Best Animated Special Production

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - Voyager Pictures LLC

Dawn of the...

Monday morning, the International Animated Film Society, Asifa-Hollywood, announced nominations today for its 42nd Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. Leading the pack with 13 nominations, including a nod for Best Animated Feature, is Laika Animation's "The Boxtrolls." Dreamworks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon 2" followed with 10 nominations, joining "Boxtrolls" in the Character Animation, Animation Effects, and Best Feature categories. Rounding out the organization's big prize are "Big Hero 6" (seven nominations), "Cheatin'" (three), "Song of the Sea" (seven), "The Book of Life" (five), "The Lego Movie" (six), and "The Tale of Kaguya" (three). The Annie Awards also announced nominations in TV, video game and short subject categories. “We had a steady increase in submissions this year and I am excited to say it’s going to be a great awards ceremony,” remarked Asifa-Hollywood Executive Director, Frank Gladstone. “We added a new category...

Big Hero 6, Cheatin’, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Song Of The Sea, The Book Of Life, The Boxtrolls, The Lego Movie and The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya have been nominated in the top category for the International Animated Film Society, Asifa-Hollywood’s 42nd annual Annie Awards. The Annies cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects and Outstanding Individual Achievements. The winners will be announced January 31 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Here’s the full list of noms:

Best Animated Feature

Big Hero 6

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Cheatin’

Plymptoons Studio

How to Train Your Dragon 2

DreamWorks Animation

Song of the Sea

Gkids/Cartoon Saloon

The Book of Life

Reel FX

The Boxtrolls

Focus Features/Laika

The Lego Movie

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

Gkids/Studio Ghibli

Best Animated Special Production

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Voyager...

The Walt Disney Animation Studios team continues to knock hits out of the park, following up Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen with this weekend's adaptation of the Marvel comic Big Hero 6. Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams (Bolt), Big Hero 6 is perhaps a first in presenting modern Asian-American leads as positive role models in a major Hollywood studio production for children. 

Young Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) is something of a robotics savant, hustling cash in the underground world of robot fighting a la Real Steel. He's encouraged by older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) to apply himself and join him in the advanced robotics program led by Roberto Callaghan (James Cromwell). There he meets fellow students Go Go (Jamie Chung), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), and Fred (Tj Miller).

An unexpected disaster leaves Hiro reeling, and with the help of his friends and Baymax (Scott Adsit), his brother's helpful medical robot,...

Big Hero 6

Written by Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson & Jordan Roberts

Directed by Don Hall & Chris Williams

USA, 2014

If kids needed their own version of the Guardians of the Galaxy, they now have it in Big Hero 6. Hopelessly irreverent with an emphasis on brain over brawn, this gang of self-appointed heroes is poised to launch a lucrative animated action franchise. Not even the derivative plot points can detract from the visual mastery and goofy fun of Disney’s first foray into the Marvel universe. Kids will demand multiple viewings of Big Hero 6 because it delivers the action, the gags, and a genuine emotional connection to this “walking marshmallow” and his nerdy pals.

The reason why Marvel succeeds while other superhero franchises fail is because they never skimp on story. They know the action may put people in the seats, but the memorable characters will keep them coming back for more.

Disney's Big Hero 6 is entirely tolerable while at the same time 100% mediocre. I enjoyed myself enough during the film's 108-minute running time, but as soon as I left the theater memories of what I'd seen began to fade. It's essentially a cinematic candy bar, enjoyable while consuming, but when you're done you're debating the value of feasting on it in the first place. It hits all the right beats, a little sweet on the outside with bits of substance on the inside, but like any piece of candy you've had before, this movie hits all the standard story beats, never really feeling new or fresh, but more like the same old product in a new wrapper... In 3D!!!! Considering Big Hero 6 is a Disney movie you know at least one parent is going to be dead once we meet the film's lead character, Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter), a 14-year-old robotics prodigy.

Big Hero 6

Directed by Dan Hall and Chris Williams

Written by Robert L. Baird, Jordan Roberts and Daniel Gerson

USA, 2014

Loosely inspired by an obscure series of Marvel comics, Disney’s Big Hero 6 is here to firmly shut the door on Let It Go’s last dying breath with an unlikely origin story that merges the emotional core we’ve come to expect from the House of Mouse, with a splashy, manga-like aesthetic and millenial sensibility. From the vibrant cosmopolitan mash-up San Fransokyo, where the story takes place, to the technologic conundrum of research development versus sale for immediate gain that protagonist Hiro (Ryan Potter) faces, Big Hero 6 weaves together a compelling futuristic adventure comedy with surprising deftness.

Hiro is a messy-haired, hoody-wearing fourteen year-old high school graduate who, initially, squanders his smarts building robots and entering them in illegal fights. His older and more polished brother...

One of the things that fanboys asked the moment Marvel was sold to Disney was, "Does this mean we'll see Pixar superhero movies?" With Brad Bird currently working on a screenplay for "The Incredibles 2," Pixar has no need to get into the Marvel business, and Marvel's live-action movies are so successful that I can't really imagine them handling over a viable franchise to an animated division. Walt Disney Feature Animation was given permission to go through Marvel's vast catalog of characters to see if there was anything in there that they might spark to, anything they could make their own, and when they found "Big Hero 6," an obscure team book created by Duncan Rouleau (aka "Man Of Action") and Steven T. Seagle, they found their way in. Right now, it feels like Wdfa is on a roll. You can divide the history of Disney animation into eras, and...

While now known for a variety of film offerings, Disney has often been known best for their animated features, from older movies such as Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to more recent features such as Tangled and Frozen. Thus, news that the animation studio was working on a new project was met with excitement, excitement which was heightened by the news that it would be an adaptation of a Marvel comic book series. Titled Big Hero 6, the movie is co-directed by Chris Williams and Don Hall, who also co-wrote the movie with Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson, and Robert L. Baird. The film features the voiceover talents of Jamie Chung, Tj Miller, Maya Rudolph, and Alan Tudyk, and a full trailer for the film has now been released. The trailer can be seen below.

The post ‘Big Hero 6′, Disney’s animated adaptation of the Marvel comic book,...

Nominations for the 41st Annual Annie Awards were announced and "Frozen" and "Monsters University" led the pack with 10 nominations each. "Despicable Me 2" and "The Croods" followed closely with 9 noms each.

I am rooting for "Frozen" to win! It's a return to form to what Disney does best -- affecting fairy tale with memorable musical numbers. "Monsters University," on the other hand, was bland. The film bored me on second viewing.

Steven Spielberg will receive the Winsor McCay Award for career achievement at the awards ceremony happening on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Patrick Warburton will serve as host.

2013 Annie Award Nominations

Production Categories

1 . Best Animated Feature

A Letter to Momo . Gkids

Despicable Me 2 . Universal Pictures

Ernest & Celestine . Gkids

Frozen . Walt Disney Animation Studios

Monsters University . Pixar Animation Studios

The Croods . DreamWorks Animation

The Wind Rises . The Walt Disney Studios

2 . Annie Award for Best Animated...

Monsters University managed a strangely subtle debut for a Pixar film, earning neither the high praise of most of their works, nor the backlash of Cars 2. Instead, the film was met with medium reviews, a lot of happy kids, and a very curious feeling of nostalgia for characters that aren’t actually all that old.

By the way, check out our Monster University podcast review for an expanded take on the film itself.

Our favorite monsters are back, but this time Mike Wazowski and Sully are headed to school, and we enter the picture before they’ve even met. Going back to a time when our best buds and co-workers don’t know each other, and are very different monsters, means the doors are wide open to introduce new characters, new parts of the universe, and we have a lot of options for figuring out just how they ended...

2013 has been, by all accounts, a forgettable year of mainstream animated films at best, and a woeful one at worst. With only two fully animated films left to be released on a wide platform—the upcoming 20th Century Fox film Walking with Dinosaurs is partially animated—it’s not likely that anyone will look back on this 12-month period as being a landmark year for animation. (Those two fully animated films are Free Birds, opening this Friday; and Frozen, opening at the end of the month. My hopes are much higher for the latter. Also, Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Wind Rises, will have a 1-week release very soon for Oscar consideration, hence the “wide platform” qualifier.) Up until now, the best animated film of the year has been, almost predictably, from Pixar Animation Studios: Monsters University, a prequel to the widely beloved Monsters, Inc.; it’s being...

This Fall, Disney&#8226Pixar celebrates homecoming with the release of Monsters University on Digital HD and Digital HD 3D on October 8, 2013, followed by the 4-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, 3-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack, 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand on October 29, 2013.

After scaring up big laughs in theaters, the in-home release of Monsters University opens its doors to the movie in stunning high definition Blu-ray, and provides hours of all-new bonus material, in-depth behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, the animated theatrical short The Blue Umbrella and much more. Directed by Dan Scanlon (Cars, Mater and the Ghostlight, Tracy), produced by Kori Rae (Up, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc.), and written by Dan Scanlon and Robert L. Baird & Daniel Gerson (Monsters Inc.), Monsters University marks Pixar's 14th consecutive film to debut at number one at the box office.

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of...

The Monsters University Blu-Ray is hitting October 29th, in both 3D and standard versions, with digital versions coming out a couple of weeks earlier (October 8th), and the releases are packed with some pretty nice bonuses.

Take a look at the full release below for all the info, including the rundown on the bonus features. We aren’t often disappointed with Pixar home releases, and it doesn’t look like this will be the release that changes that. If you caught our Monsters University podcast review, you know we didn’t love this one as much as most Pixar titles, but it is still a lot of fun for the younger crowd.

Rush to get Digital HD and Digital HD 3D Versions Available for Purchase October 8, 2013 Celebrate Mu’s Homecoming on Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on October 29, 2013.

This Fall, Disney•Pixar celebrates homecoming with the release of “Monsters University” on...

Fans of Disney•Pixar’s feature films love to scour the screen in search of the Hidden Gems the filmmakers sneak into each film: Wall•E’s explorations uncover a Mike Wazowski antenna ball, paying homage to Monsters, Inc., and in Up, the classic Luxo Jr. ball can be seen in the girl’s bedroom as Carl Fredricksen’s house flies by her window.

Disney•Pixar’s Monsters University features a few such gems, three of which are revealed here:

A113 – The School of Scaring classroom number is A113, which refers to the former classroom of John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton at CalArts. The number makes an appearance in every Pixar feature film.

Pizza Planet – The Pizza Planet truck is in the driveway of the Jox fraternity house when Mike is riding Archie the Scare Pig down Greek Row. The Pizza Planet truck, which first made an appearance in “Toy Story,...

Disney•Pixar continue their long-standing tradition of unveiling their new films at the Edinburgh International Film Festival with Monsters University. The prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University bears the unfortunate task of being a follow-up to one of the studios most adored, original and hugely successful efforts. And, while it sadly never reaches the heights of its predecessor in terms of intelligence and ingenuity, it’ll win audiences over nonetheless with its abundant charm and wit.

Long before the events depicted in Monsters, Inc., Michael “Mike” Wasowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sully” Sullivan (John Goodman) are freshman at Monsters University. As complete opposites (Mike is a book-smart dreamer, while Sully is big-headed natural scarer), they initially butt heads. But when their ego clashes threaten their chances of becoming Scarers for Monstropolis, they’re forced to band together and prove their natural born talents to Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren).

Returning to the crisp,...

Monsters University and World War Z box office: Monsters hungry for knowledge and zombies hungry for humans bring down Man of Steel Here’s a quick rundown of this past weekend, June 21-23, 2013, at the North American box office. If studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo are on target, Pixar / Disney’s Monsters University surpassed expectations, grossing $82 million at 4,4004 locations. Approximately 30% of the gross came from 3D shows. (Image: Monsters University artwork.) Directed by Dan Scanlon, Monsters University features the voices of John Goodman, Helen Mirren, Billy Crystal, Nathan Fillion, Aubrey Plaza, Steve Buscemi, John Krasinski, Peter Sohn, Dave Foley, Sean Murray, Bonnie Hunt, Julia Sweeney, Sean Hayes, Alfred Molina, Tyler Labine, Bill Hader, Bob Peterson, and John Ratzenberger. Screenplay credit for the Monsters, Inc. sequel has gone to director Scanlon, Daniel Gerson, and Robert L. Baird. Starring Brad Pitt as a man having a number of close encounters of the living-dead kind,...

World War Z weekend box office: Monsters rule, but zombies are the big surprise hit (photo: Brad Pitt in World War Z) World War Z, Brad Pitt, and his living-dead pals have turned out to be the big (happy) surprise at the North American box office this weekend, June 21-23, 2013. In case Friday’s estimates are on target, the $190-$200 million-budgeted World War Z should collect $57-$60 million by Sunday evening, or about $10-$15 million more than many pundits had been expecting. Yesterday, World War Z opened with $25 million — about $5 million above early estimates — from 3,607 locations according to studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo. That figure includes $3.6 million from Thursday evening screenings. In case there’s a Saturday surge for Marc Forster’s Paramount-distributed PG-13 zombie movie, World War Z could actually go quite a bit beyond the $60 million mark. That’s good news for the studio and for producer Brad Pitt,...

World War Z box office vs. Monsters University vs. Man of Steel (photo: Brad Pitt in World War Z) The North American box office will be huge this weekend, June 21-23, 2013. You’ve surely read that elsewhere, and it’s no exaggeration. The combined gross of the top three movies alone — Monsters University, World War Z, Man of Steel — should hover around $180 million. Now, what remains to be seen is if there’ll be any dollars (whether Canadian or American) left for the dozens of other movies on North American screens. It’s like having huge supermarkets making little neighborhood stores disappear from view. But hey, that seems to be exactly what the moviegoing public wants. According to early, rough estimates found at Deadline.com, Disney / Pixar’s Monsters University will easily top the domestic box office following a Friday gross around $25-$28 million, in addition to $2.6 million from Thursday evening screenings.

Director: Dan Scanlon; Screenwriters: Robert L. Baird, Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson; Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren; Running time: 104 mins; Certificate: U

Can this prequel set a decade before Monsters, Inc. recapture the magic of the 2001 animated hit? Not quite. There are flashes of visual invention scattered throughout and Helen Mirren steals the show with a stunning vocal display of austerity, but this is very much a case of Pixar going through the motions with an overfamiliar and predictable plot only partially salvaged by a clever climax.

Billy Crystal and John Goodman rekindle their rapturous rapport as the voices of affable monsters Mike and Sulley, who we witness first encountering each other during a lecture in 'scaring' at university. For there are certain techniques to maximise the screams of the children, although far too much of the movie is devoted to the monsters pulling various faces while trying to hone their skills.

Chicago – Let’s everybody say it together, “the key to great animation is a great story.” This has to be the motto for Pixar Animation – now part of Disney. Their latest, “Monsters University,” is a prequel with a heart, soul and attention to what makes this type of entertainment work.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

With a story that takes place before the first film in the series, “Monsters, Inc.,” the college bound characters of Sully and Mike (the buddy Monsters) are just as fresh as when they were the company men in movie number one. The creative team – screenwriters Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson and Dan Scanlon (who also directed) – expand upon the origin of the two, and imagine a sort of Harry-Potter-meets-Animal-House vibe. The adventures in the film, and the steps they take to get through those adventures, are natural, moral and very funny. The inventiveness of putting our heroes through their...

Monsters University

Directed by Dan Scanlon

Written by Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird, and Dan Scanlon

USA, 2013

It’s 2013, and in the world of pop culture, most of us comfortably take Pixar for granted. Here is a studio that, from 1995 to 2010, churned out financially successful films that were also unique, exciting, fresh, and captivating in ways other movie studios could only dream of. The relatively dark days arrived with Cars 2, a sequel to a movie that wasn’t as well-liked (rightly so) as Pixar’s other work. Though the doldrums lifted slightly with last year’s Brave, an original effort whose ambition was admirable even if the execution was muddled, news of sequels, prequels, and a potentially long-running lack of originality have made people think Pixar has lost its edge, or even its soul. So it’s gratifying to watch one of those dreaded continuations, Monsters University, turn out to be confident,...

Just hearing the voices of Billy Crystal as green, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski and John Goodman as the furry beast Sully in Monsters University, the prequel to Pixar Animation’s beloved 2001 release Monsters Inc, makes one laugh and smile. That’s the joy of movie nostalgia. Still, once sentimentality for Mike and Sully fades the Monsters prequel settles into family friendly mush. It’s not enough to dust off cartoon favorites. One needs a story better than the movie that first introduced Mike and Sully to families. Despite a clever, flash-back-to-college premise, co-writer/director Dan Scanlon and co-writers Robert L. Baird and Daniel Gerson come up short and deliver a movie-made letdown. Really, Mike and Sully deserve better.

Stars: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Alfred Molina, Nathan Fillion, Helen Mirren, Steve Buscemi, Peter Sohn, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Charlie Day, Tyler Labine, Aubrey Plaza, Bonnie Hunt, John Krasinski | Written by Dan Scanlon, Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson | Directed by Dan Scanlon

As is traditional with Pixar features, Monsters University is preceded by a short film featuring whimsical anthropomorphic objects falling in love. The Blue Umbrella is a bit twee, but charming nonetheless and sees two umbrellas meeting-cute amidst a city downpour. It was impressed on the audience by Mu producer Kori Rae that everything we were looking at was CGI and it’s a good thing she did as the photorealism was startling.

The film proper begins with a teeny tiny Mike Wazowski (Crystal) on a school trip to the Monsters Inc. factory of the original film. It’s there that he decides to dedicate his young life to...

©2013 Disney/Pixar

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a professional 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 Mu legacy 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 executive produced by John Lasseter.

Monsters University is the prequel to Monsters, Inc.

In case you missed it when it was released by the Disney-Pixar combo last week, look below for the latest clip and video from the partnership’s upcoming animated feature Monsters University.

The latest film from the makers of the Toy Story trilogy is the sequel to Monsters, Inc., which was originally released in November, 2001. That film was nominated for four Oscars: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song (‘If I Didn’t Have You’, which took away the award).

Monsters University will feature the voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina, Nathan Fillion and John Ratzenberger. It was directed by Dan Scanlon from a screenplay by Scanlon, Daniel Gerson and Robert L. Baird. It will open on June 21, 2013, and be shown in 3D in select theatres.

Official synopsis: Ever...

This Summer, like all the previous ones before it, is filled to the brim with new films all striving for your attention. It’s understandable that this can be a tad overwhelming and it’s tough to keep up with the many releases happening in such a short period of time. Cinelinx is here to help you with our Summer Preview Guide! We take a look at all the films coming out in June (including trailers, synopsis, and more) in order to prepare you for what’s ahead.

For our May Preview Guide and all of our other Summer 2013 movie coverage be sure to hit the link.

June 7th

The Purge

Directed By: James DeMonaco

Written By: James DeMonaco

Cast: Lena Headey, Ethan Hawke, and Tony Oller

Official Synopsis: In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity-including murder-becomes legal.

©2013 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

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...

Monsters, Inc.

Directed by Pete Docter

Written by Andrew Stanton and Daniel Gerson

Starring Billy Crystal, John Goodman, James Coburn, Steve Buscemi

Here’s a question that has nagged at me for the last few years: what, really, is the difference between a film made by Pixar Animation Studios and a film made by DreamWorks Animation? (You could expand the question to include Blue Sky Studios, the company that works with 20th Century Fox and has made the Ice Age films, but I’m sticking with the Pixar-DreamWorks battle.) People continually divide the films of these studios, proclaiming that those movies of the former are automatically better than those of the latter. I may be wont to agree, but why? What separates these giants?

Both companies continue to leap forward in the technology of animating worlds and characters via computer, the images they create having progressed enormously in the last 15 or so years.

Monsters Inc 3D is hitting Us theatres today, adding the third dimension to one of the best and most memorable animated films in recent years.

Next summer, Monsters University will be giving us the prequel story to this classic original, and what better way to get up to speed with the series than to catch it when it arrives in 3D? And just in time for Christmas.

We saw the first trailer for the new release back in September, followed most recently by the first TV spot earlier in the month. And now Pixar have released a new featurette, giving us a look at the reasoning behind and the benefits of the 3D treatment.

““Monsters, Inc.,” one of Disney-Pixar’s most beloved and visually imaginative feature films ever, returns to the big screen to delight a whole new generation of audiences and fans alike, this time in stunning 3D. The...

Comin' at ya!

Disney and Pixar have released a new featurette to promote the 3D release of Monsters, Inc. on December 19. You can watch it below.

Monster’s Inc. is directed by Pete Doctor from a script by Andrew Stanton and Daniel Gerson. The voice cast includes John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Frank Oz and Bonnie Hunt.

Official Synopsis

Monsters, Inc., one of Disney•Pixar’s most beloved and visually imaginative feature films ever, returns to the big screen to delight a whole new generation of audiences and fans alike, this time in stunning 3D. The now-classic Academy Award®-winning animated comedy adventure Monsters, Inc. is set in Monstropolis, a thriving company town where monsters of all shapes and sizes reside. Lovable Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and his wisecracking best friend Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) are...

Check out this cool featurette from Monsters, Inc. 3D which opens December 19th, featuring the voices of John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Daniel Gerson, Bonnie Hunt, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Susskind, Jeff Pidgeon, Bob Paterson, Frank Oz, John Ratzenberger. Of course, the prequel Monsters University opens in theaters on June 21st, 2013, so this makes a nice refresher in 3D prior the Disney Pixar film. Monsters, Inc. is set in Monstropolis, a thriving company town where monsters of all shapes and sizes reside. Lovable Sulley (Goodman) and his wisecracking best friend Mike Wazowski (Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream-processing factory. The main power source in the monster world is the collected screams of human children—and at Monsters, Inc., an elite team of scarers is responsible for gathering those precious natural resources. Believed by monsters to be toxic...