Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 3

As in earlier entries, this latest compilation of Pixar shorts features a mix of original works and movie tie-in themed cartoons. Notable from the former category are Domee Shi’s charming "Bao," the story of a mother with child separation issues; Alan Barillaro’s Oscar-winning "Piper," in which a mother sandpiper teaches her chick survival skills; Dave Mullins’s Oscar nominee "Lou," a funny and touching parable that finds the items in a lost and found box teaching the playground bully a lesson; and Saschka Unseld’s "The Blue Umbrella," a love story—with umbrellas—featuring Jon Brion’s memorable title instrumental (which also serves as the disc menu music). The movie tie-in shorts are spun-off from Cars, Inside Out, and Monsters, Inc., with one of the best being the Toy Story-related "Partysaurus Rex." Also including two mini-movies (Cars and Finding Dory shorts), this is a solid collection with a few true standouts. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)