2012, Columbia Pictures
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 90 mins.
THE STORY:
Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) is a hyper-protective single father living in modern day Transylvania in dread fear that his teenage (i.e. 118 year-old) daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez), will be harmed by the humans who killed her mother. He has created a hotel for monsters as a sanctuary for himself and his many supernatural friends.
One day, Johnny (Andy Samberg), a human backpacker with a pronounced go-with-the-flow attitude shows up at the hotel. Dracula is terrified that his guests will panic and/or kill Johnny, so he disguises his laid back visitor as a party planner and member of the Frankenstein family.
The backdrop to this action is Mavis' birthday celebration, and her desire to leave the hotel and explore the world she has never been allowed to see. In talking to Johnny about the many places in the world he has seen, her thirst for the outside grows. Dracula sees the attraction thriving between the two and panics at the thought of Mavis leaving. He convinces Johnny to leave in order to save Mavis future heartbreak when the human world rejects her.
As soon as he does, however, Dracula realizes that the only thing that hurts him more than losing Mavis is seeing her having lost her true love. He chases down Johnny and reunites the lovebirds.
One day, Johnny (Andy Samberg), a human backpacker with a pronounced go-with-the-flow attitude shows up at the hotel. Dracula is terrified that his guests will panic and/or kill Johnny, so he disguises his laid back visitor as a party planner and member of the Frankenstein family.
The backdrop to this action is Mavis' birthday celebration, and her desire to leave the hotel and explore the world she has never been allowed to see. In talking to Johnny about the many places in the world he has seen, her thirst for the outside grows. Dracula sees the attraction thriving between the two and panics at the thought of Mavis leaving. He convinces Johnny to leave in order to save Mavis future heartbreak when the human world rejects her.
As soon as he does, however, Dracula realizes that the only thing that hurts him more than losing Mavis is seeing her having lost her true love. He chases down Johnny and reunites the lovebirds.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- idiot
- stupid
VIOLENCE:
- a zombie gets a pitchfork through the head, but it is not as bad as it sounds
TEACHING POINTS:
- If you love someone you have to set them free
- Don't judge people based on preconceptions; get to know them as individuals
THE UPSHOT:
The story is pretty thin and predictable. What makes this well worth watching are the characters and the situational humour-- the one liners, the physical comedy, the character development of the monsters. Frankenstein (Kevin James), the Invisible Man (David Spade) and particularly the Wolfman (Steve Buscemi) are standouts. Some of the jokes are a bit on the crass side, but are pretty gently so. Chances are you've heard worse from the mouths (and elsewhere) of your little ones.
Without a doubt, both the adults and the 5 year-old in the room were able to come to a consensus that this was a very good watch.
Without a doubt, both the adults and the 5 year-old in the room were able to come to a consensus that this was a very good watch.
4.5/5
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