FILMEDGE was delighted with Disney•Pixar's latest hit in our theatrical review of UP earlier this year, and we're equally pleased with the 4-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack release of 2009's top animated film for home entertainment.  UP doesn't lose one ounce of entertainment value on DVD, and looks absolutely superb on high-definition Blu-ray.  Fortunately, Disney offers both formats of the film plus a digital disc copy you can play on the move using your PC.

The hilarious and touching story follows 78-year old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) who embarks on the high-flying journey of his lifetime.  Yet an energetic young stowaway, an 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell, proves a comedic thorn in Carl's side as the two — in Carl's balloon-lofted house! — sail off to an exotic distant land.  Atop a land in the clouds in remote South America, the duo meet Dug the dog and encounter a rare bird who is the target of a long lost adventurer.

Disc 1 of this Combo pack hosts the feature film UP in all its Blu-ray high-def glory, celebrating all the character expressions and environment details in a crystal clear presentation.  An entertaining Commentary Track by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson backs up the feature film and makes a second viewing a fun learning experience of production.

Also exclusive to the Blu-ray edition is Cine-Explore, a making-of montage art, video clips and documentary footage complimenting the directors' commentary to show you how UP was created while you watch the film.

Disc 2 delivers more Blu-ray exclusive bonus features include in-depth character design studies including Geriatric Hero establishing Carl's identity, exploring all of UPs furry stars in Canine Companions, scouting out the design origins of Russell: Wilderness Explorer, and illustrates the hatching of Our Flightless Giant Friend, Kevin.  Glimpse behind the scenes during the making of UP to meet the Homemakers of Pixar, explore the animation challenges of simulating Balloons and Flight, tune in Michael Giacchino while he's Composing for Characters, discover the original backstory of Carl and Ellie's Married Life, and join Russell in playing the Global Guardian Badge Game with BD-Live exclusive features. 

All of these featurettes are highly recommended viewing to expand and enjoy UP beyond the film's 96 minute run time — plus it's fun to see the Pixar animators actually at work in their fantastic studio in Northern California!

Also included are several additional bonus features available on both the Blu-ray and the Disc 3 DVD presentation: an all-new animated short Dug's Special Mission plus the Pixar theatrical short, Partly Cloudy, a hilarious tale about a stressed out stork delivering babies.  The filmmakers offer more creative insights about their difficult story challenges devising The Many Endings of Muntz, in which the directors and story artists reveal several alternatives for UP's finale.

But the clear highlight of these bonuses can be discovered in Adventure is Out There, a fascinating documentary about the creative team's trip to the exotic high-altitude Tepuis mountains of South America.  What began as a location scouting trip to make some design sketches and take reference photos of these cloud-topped cliffs became a real life adventure for the group amid alien-looking landscapes and stormy skies.  Only a few humans have ever set foot on these remote, dangerous locations, so don't miss your chance to make a virtual visit to Carl and Ellie's dream destination in real life!

Fit for all real adventurers on the go, Disc 4 contains a DisneyFile Digital Copy of UP which you can transfer to your Mac, PC or compatible portable device.

There's no denying that this 4-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack is the most complete and versatile edition of UP to enjoy with your family now and in the future, at home and on the move.  Even if you haven't upgraded to Blu-ray just yet, your family can still enjoy hours of entertainment with the feature film and treasure trove of bonus features, plus the added value of the Digital Copy.  Once you do go Blu, or if you have already, then you'll enjoy UP in fantastic looking 1080p high-definition with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio which fully immerse you in Carl and Russell's far-flung adventures around the globe.  As audiences proved earlier this year, UP will remain high on the list of favorites in the library of Disney•Pixar animated classics for generations to come. It's a perfect holiday treat for your family and friends and has FILMEDGE's highest five-star recommendation!

FILMEDGE is also very pleased with this week's double dip of Disney•Pixar genius with the Blu-ray debut of 2001's Academy Award-winning MONSTERS INC, now available for the first time in frighteningly enjoyable high-definition.  Starring the voice talents of John Goodman as scare-master Sully and Billy Crystal as his one-eyed assistant Mike Wazowski, these two monster buddies must confront the tiny terror caring for Boo, a little human girl who follows them into the creature-world on the other side of her closet door.  Monstropolis becomes a comedic madhouse as Sully and Mike attempt to hide Boo from their child-scaring cohorts and return her to the human world.  Action and heartfelt emotion make this film just as enjoyable today as it ever was.

MONSTERS INC fully exploits the high-definition potential of Blu-ray Disc 1 in a eye-poppingly excellent transfer of the feature film in full 1080p resolution and original 1.85:1 ratio, enhanced by a dynamic, clear and involving 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack as good as you heard it in theaters.  Sully and Mike generate great laughs once again as they take you from the Scare Floor factory where screams power the city, to the frosty heights of the Himalayas and back to deliver Boo safely to her room.  MONSTERS INC hasn't looked and sounded this richly detailed in nearly a decade, and this Blu-ray presentation is a must-see for Disney•Pixar fans!

The valuable Blu-ray exclusives continue with the Filmmakers Round Table, where director Pete Docter, co-director Lee Unkrich, producer Darla Anderson and story lead Bob Peterson meet at the real Hidden City Cafe to reminisce about making MONSTERS INC.  Fond memories and belly laughs ensue as they recall all the technical challenges of creating the furred and the frightening who populate Monstropolis, as well as some serious reflections on how the events of 9/11 (which happened during production) impacted scenes of the film.  Also, this bonus feature finally answers the burning question by fans: does a chimp actually work at Pixar?

Another great bonus is a video tour of the new Tokyo Disneyland theme park attraction in Monsters, Inc. Ride and Go Seek: Building Monstropolis in Japan.  Guests of the Tokyo park enjoy a flashlight tag game through Sully and Mike's hometown, meeting monsters of all shapes and sizes lurking playfully in the shadows of the city.  Also included on the Blu-ray Disc 1 as well as the Disc 3 DVD presentation are original DVD bonus features: For the Birds, Pixar's feather-flapping Academy Award-winning Best Animated Short film; Mike's New Car, an Academy Award nominee in 2002 reuniting Mike and Sully for some automotive mayhem, and the feature-length Commentary Track by Pete Docter, Lee Unkrich, Andrew Stanton and John Lasseter.

Disc 2 delivers more Blu-ray exclusives including the interactive trivia quiz Roz's 100-Door Challenge Game to test your monstrous aptitude.  Humans will enjoy the Pixar Fun Factory Tour hosted by John Lasseter and Pete Doctor; four Story featurettes covering development of plot and character long before the animation begins; Lee Unkrich returns to introduce five deleted scenes in Banished Concepts; a Storyboard to Film Comparison, the Art Gallery, Designing Monstropolis, Set Dressing, Location Flyarounds and Monster File offer educational and entertaining looks at the animation process.  Music and Sound give song and voice to these memorable characters as your tour guides take you right onto the Release of MONSTERS, INC. at the Hollywood premiere.  Those who wish to live on the monster side will begin with New Monster Adventures, a look Behind the Screams and finally their official Orientation session at Monsters, Incorporated — all fun treats for young and old alike.

As noted, this set also offers MONSTERS, INC. on the Disc 3 DVD, plus the Disc 4 Digital Copy of the feature film for on-the-go play with your Mac, PC or compatible portable device.  No matter how you view it, this bonus-packed 4-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack has it all to keep humans and monsters entertained time and again, and earns a prominent place in the collection of Disney•Pixar fans.