Mike Wazowski and James Sullivan are back in “Monsters University,” 12 years after the original “Monsters, Inc.” Back to school, to be specific.

They weren’t always the experienced “scarers” from the first film – they had to learn it somewhere. Little Mike and big Sulley weren’t always the best of friends either. Arriving at Scare College, Mike has high hopes of being a great scarer. Unfortunately, he’s just too darn cute… and round. Sulley, on the other hand, has natural talent, and the two don’t get along well at first. However, when the two’s scare degrees are jeopardized, they have to work together in a frat-like scare challenge.

Characteristic of most prequels (or sequels), “Monsters University” wasn’t as good as the original. “Monsters, Inc.” had a really original and heartfelt story, but the concept of a prequel where a nerd and jock befriend each other in college isn’t new.  However, the movie was still just as funny as the first, and anyone who enjoyed the first movie as much as I did will enjoy “Monsters University.”

If you’re like me, you may have been excited to watch the new monster movie but never got around to seeing it in theaters. Now it’s out on DVD and Blu-ray with a bunch of bonus features, great for a rent or even to buy. Some features include the usual commentary and a few deleted scenes.

There’s also a bonus feature that gives an inside look at producing the multitude of whimsical creatures needed to fill a monster’s college. One of the best things about the “Monsters, Inc.” movies is the opportunity the producers have to make us laugh with all the strange or ridiculous monster characters. The original film already had tons of great graphics and colors, and a decade later the visuals are even more stimulating.

The best bonus feature, however, was the Pixar short “The Blue Umbrella,” which was shown in theaters before the movie. I love most of the Pixar shorts, (remember the doofy blue birds on the telephone pole?) and “The Blue Umbrella” is my new favorite. It’s about two umbrellas that fall in love on a rainy day in a big city. The visuals are really cool and the characters are all inanimate objects with faces, and it really works to make an adorable story.

“Monsters University” was a funny prequel to “Monsters, Inc.” that didn’t disappoint. Mike and Sulley were as entertaining as ever, and with the great bonus features the movie is definitely worth a rent, if not a buy.