Released: 2012
Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, CeeLo Green
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Produced by: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
Rated: PG (UK – U)
“Even monsters need a vacation.”
Where can monsters go to escape the persecution of humankind? Why Hotel Transylvania of course! Count Dracula (Adam Sandler; Click, The Waterboy) has created a perfectly safe resort for monsters to be able to relax and catch some R&R from their hectic lives of hiding from mankind. He lives here with his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez; Spring Breakers, Horton Hears a Who!). Mavis wishes to leave the hotel where she has lived her whole life and explore the world. Dracula, on the other hand, wants her to remain where he can keep her safe.
During the preparations for her 118th birthday, something terrible happens. A human is able to make it through all the hotel’s safeguards and reaches the front door. Dracula can’t let it get out that a human is in the hotel or else his guests will leave thinking it is not safe. After disguising Johnny the human (Andy Samberg; Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, That’s My Boy) as a monster, Dracula tries to sneak him out, but is caught by Mavis. When Mavis meets the monster-disguised human, she instantly falls for him (called a “Zing” in the movie). What can Dracula do? Get rid of the human and break his daughter’s heart or try and make it through the birthday party until his guests return to their homes?
An animated feature film centered around classic monsters sounds like a home run in my book, and Hotel Transylvania did not let me down. I can see why it was successful and has spawned a few sequels. It is funny, entertaining, and has a catchy story. There are a few drawbacks, but as a whole, it is a good film.
The animation is gorgeous. The imagery, colors, and exaggerated movements of the characters bring to mind the cartoons of the late eighties and nineties, but with all the improvements that modern technology affords. For young children, Hotel Transylvania will be visually attractive and entertaining enough to keep them glued to the screen. The design of the characters and the environments in the hotel keep the classic look of the monsters, but mix in some modern touches. These designs choices kept a fan of Universal monsters films like me happy, but also kept the movie from being a period piece. Instead, we know that this is set in modern times just in the world of monsters and that is perfect.
The story is endearing, even if it is a tale we have heard before. Soon after their child is born, Dracula loses his wife to an angry mob of local villagers. He builds the hotel to keep his child and other monsters safe from humans. But, like every other young person who is restricted, Mavis wants to break out. She wants to see the world and meet people her own age. The film is about growth for both Mavis and the count. Dracula must learn that the world has changed and so must he. There were a few moments where I wasn’t interested in the progression of the story.
The voice performances of most of the cast were great. However, Adam Sandler’s Dracula kept putting me off. While it wasn’t that bad, all I could hear whenever the character was on screen was Adam Sandler doing one of his “goofy” voices from many of his comedy routines with an added Transylvanian accent. It could be what put me off was his tendency to use these voices in his other films either when he is talking down to someone or playing a fool. Again, it wasn’t that bad, nor do I know how it could have been improved.
The other voice actors were great in their parts. Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs, Big Fish) as a wolfman who is exhausted by his family of dozens of wolf pups was great casting. Fran Drescher (UHF, The Beautician and the Beast) as a loud, nagging bride of Frankenstein, Eunice, brought back memories of Phyllis Diller in a similar role in Mad Monster Party.
The comedy in the film will work for the whole family. Hotel Transylvania has a good combination of slapstick, situational humor, and funny dialogue. The humor is simple enough for young children to understand that it is funny, but it doesn’t become inaccessible for the parents who are also watching it (much like the old Looney Tunes). The music in the film is modern with various rock style songs, electronic, and some autotune in the larger, character performed numbers. Most of the songs are entertaining and catchy and with experienced singers like Ceelo Green, Selena Gomez, Adam Sandler, and Andy Samberg behind the songs, it is no surprise.
The Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital combo edition of the film performs well in both the visuals and the audio. The sound is crisp and clear and this is particularly noticeable during the musical parts. The video has bright vibrant colors and great contrast. The details of the animation are easily seen through the HD format. Hotel Transylvania is best on Blu-Ray. The disc also contains a decent amount of special features including a small film called Goodnight Mr. Bigfoot about one of the monsters who had visited the hotel in the main film. It also contains deleted scenes, audio commentary, and a few behind the scenes specials. If you can grab this copy you get a good value for your dollar.
If you want to introduce your young ones to the world of monsters and slowly into straight horror, then I think Hotel Transylvania is a perfect start. It will delight them and you. If you have no kids to worry about, you can still enjoy the comedy and animation in the film. Add this to your Halloween movie list and to your film collection and you will not regret it. So pop it into your player, thrown on a monster disguise, relax on your couch, and save me some popcorn!
Rating:
Jack Savage:
While I am not a huge fan of Adam Sandler or his crew (Kevin James, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, etc.) I can’t deny that I really enjoyed Hotel Transylvania. It has a lot of vhat I vanted in a monster movie for kids. Bleh bleh-bleh!
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