Friday, September 25, 2015

Review of HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2: Juvenile Jeopardy

September 25, 2015



According to the 2012 animated film, Count Dracula ran "Hotel Transylvania" as a resort for monsters who wanted to get away from the humans who frighten them. One day, a human boy named Jonathan stumbles upon the existence of this hotel and falls for the gothic charms of Dracula's daughter Mavis. Being the over-protective dad that he was, single-dad Dracula does everything to keep the two from falling in love.

In this sequel, Jonathan and Mavis got married and have a son Dennis. Dracula was very concerned that his grandson Dennis was already turning five, but was not showing any signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis and Jonathan fly to California to visit his parents, Dracula and his wacky gang of monsters bring Dennis to a vampire summer camp, hoping the kid's fangs come out faster.

From the poster alone, we already know that this sequel will be a cute juvenile romp with delightful "monsters". The story line is reminiscent of other films, like "Sky High" or "The Incredibles," about the distress caused by an offspring who apparently did not have the superpowers of his parents. In the first film, the laughs came from Dracula struggling with the problem of his daughter falling in love with a human. In this sequel, it was also Dracula's struggles about this grandson that make this film funny (mildly) more than anything else.

Since this is a sequel, the artwork was basically the same as the first one, with most of the characters coming back to reprise their roles. Curiously, the look of the new main character baby Dennis was not at all original. With his full head of wild curly red hair, Dennis looked almost exactly like the baby brothers of Merida in "Brave."  The design of Great Grandpa Vlad and more so his scary sidekick Bela and his army of ghoulish vampire bats could be the stuff of nightmares for very young kids. The special effect of flames looked very good.

Adam Sandler's voice was very apparent as Count Dracula. You can totally imagine him talking in that "Dracula" accent. The cast list boasts of an impressive roster of noted comedians past and present who were all able to project their comic personas through their voice work for their characters. Of course, Sandler's usual movie posse is there composed of Kevin James (as Frankenstein), Steve Buscemi (as Werewolf Wayne), and David Spade (as Invisible Man Griffin). Andy Samberg plays the goofy Jonathan opposite teen star Selena Gomez as Mavis. In smaller supporting roles are Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman (as human grandparents Linda and Mike), Dana Carvey (as Camp Counselor Dana), Fran Drescher (as Frankenstein's wife Eunice), and the most esteemed Mel Brooks (as Vlad).

This another one of those zany, hyper, and yes, predictable animated films for the juvenile set, ultimately not too memorable. Despite the illustrious cast of comics though, the big laughs in this film are only few and far between. At most, a smile or a little chuckle here and there are all you get. Despite some disturbing scenes of apparent child endangerment in this film, you know this is all done in the spirit of silly fun and nothing bad is really going to happen. 5/10.







19 comments:

  1. As your opening statement says, this hotel is put up by Count Dracula as a refuge of those monsters who seek hideaway from the humans. My interest is tapped. I think this movie is not only for the kids, but also for the adult like me too.

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  2. I am a huge fan of Adam Sandler. I would want to watch a movie with his voice in it but seeing your 5/10 rating, maybe not this one.

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  3. I can't wait for this movie because I really love the cast! The story is really great as well.

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  4. Didn't get to see the first one but I have been curious since my social media news feeds were flooded when they started showing the film at the cinemas here. But a 5/10 isn't that good, I might just pass on watching this.

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  5. aww, sounds like this isn't the best animation to watch, huh? i didn't catch the first one and was thinking if i should give part 2 a try. guess i'll not.

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  6. I saw the first part of the movie - I'll admit, not really impressed. Still deliberating if I want to see the second part :)

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  7. I saw the first one and I think I fell asleep. I didn't think this was going to be any better and it sounds like called it?!

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  8. Oh...not again, the kids here at the house made my day when I want to watch action film and for them, this kind of movie.

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  9. I was thinking of watching it but 5/10 perhaps I should just wait this one then. Look for something better to watch.

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  10. Oh yes, Dennis' hair remind me of Merida. It almost looks like Frodo's hair as well. 5/10 is low for me. Maybe this movie is best enjoyed by kids only.

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  11. I have to watch this movie before they go out of the big screen. Now that I have read your review, I am strongly considering into going to the cinema alone.

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  12. My apo can't wait to watch this film. Hayz, I'll be again his movie date chaperon.

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  13. When i saw a trailer of this, I wasn't really interested because I haven't seen the first movie. So I watched it from a copy at home and it's really super cute and funny. Haven't watched the 2nd though.

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  14. I've watched the first one. I am now wondering how Dennis would end up though I am sure he'll find the inner vampire in him somehow.

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  15. Only a 5??? Oh dear. I was planning to take the kids for this one. Never mind, they shall catch it inflight next time they fly...

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  16. My kid and I watched this. We both liked it and enjoyed.. at first my kid got scared coz of the sounds at the first 5mins but afterwards she enjoyed it

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  17. I saw the first movie and been wanting to watch the second one. Wow 5/10 is not an exciting one but still I would love to watch it.

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  18. I was initially excited to catch this show! but hmm, seems like it's not that good huh.

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  19. My friends who has watched this movie also commented is so so only. Hmmm... I will skip this Hotel Transylvania movie also.

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