Short Circuits: 'Monsters University' on video; setting iPad limits

Pixar has a pretty solid track record when it comes to sequels (think "Toy Story"). But until "Monsters University," a new origin story set several years before the action of "Monsters Inc.," the acclaimed animation shop had never attempted a prequel.

The characters Mike (voice of Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) are funny enough and their relationship rich enough to make the back story worth telling. Set at the titular Monsters University, the film is the story of how freshmen monsters Mike and Sulley — aspiring students of the fine art of scaring — met and became fast friends. It's also the story of how they became, more essentially, themselves.

Where "Monsters Inc." was a heavily plot-driven tale, "Monsters University" is a two-monster character study. It may be children's terror that powers the movie's fictional universe, but it's the energy of its stars that lights up "Monsters University."

The DVD (Disney, $30) includes commentary and "The Blue Umbrella" animated short from Pixar. The Blu-ray editions ($40-$50) add featurettes, a documentary on Randy Newman's musical scores, a behind-the-scenes visit with the animators and deleted scenes.

Washington Post

Colin Covert says: Compared with the triumphant "Wall-E," "The Incredibles," the "Toy Story" films and "Up," this inessential prequel needs some tutoring. It's warm. It's likable. It's crisply animated. It's an underachiever.

Also out Tuesday

TV: "Family Tree" (Season 1), "Poirot" (Series 9).

Blu-ray: "Hanging for Django," "La Notte."

Q: Are there any general family settings for time limits and program use available on the iPad?

A: Yes, there are parental controls available on the iPad. As a parent, you can restrict the content and applications that your children can use or view on your iPad. This includes Safari, Camera, FaceTime, Game Center, YouTube, Location Services and more.

This is how to set up parental controls and restrictions:

2. Tap "Restrictions."

3. Tap "Enable Restrictions."

4. If this is the first time you have used this feature, you'll be asked to enter and then re-enter a four-digit passcode.

5. You'll get a list of applications that can be enabled or disabled with a password lock. This is where you can choose the applications that you don't want your children to access. You can also choose the level of access to rated content such as movies, music and applications.

The iPad doesn't have built-in time-limit controls. However, there are applications you can download for this purpose. One such application is called Parent TimeLock, which allows you to set a daily usage limit on your children's iPad. When the time limit is reached, the device is disabled.