"Hotel Transylvania" : Judgement-Free Monster Paradise

The Disney supremacy in the animated feature film world was cemented on their successful and timeless princesses and classic children tale adaptations. That adjective: “timeless”, is what defines those films. They can be watched with the same joyous amusement now than they were 20, 30 or even 50 years ago, and this is a quality that is the source of power for uncle Walt’s empire. These characters and the love for them can be passed on through generations, meaning the revenue keeps coming in the form of repeated visits to the Disney parks, clothing, toys, home video sales etc. However, this formula seems to be a thing of the past, and today most animated films rely on the spur of the moment gags. They are focus on squeezing out every ounce of momentum from pop culture’s current events, or the music and trends of the time. These animated films make themselves an ephemeral form of entertainment that will be effective now and that will vanish in the memory of the viewers. However, some of these animated films do offer something more original. There is a sub-genre in “children” animated films that plays with the spooky, scary things we fear. The premier example is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” which sets the bar high. This year alone 3 films pay tribute to monster, zombies, and the afterlife in a comedic, family oriented way. “ParaNorman” earlier this year, and next week “Frankenweenie” are the other two. 

In “Hotel Transylvania” we deal with the usual “princess grows up wants to see the world and fins love” story, but this time it is Dracula’s daughter who wants to be with a human. An interesting logline that has it moments but sort of fails to transcend into memorable status. The famous blood-sucking count is voiced by Adam Sandler (perhaps his best work in recent years), and his daughter Mavis is voiced by the young pop star Selena Gomez. The story takes place during Mavis’ 118^th birthday, which in vampire years is the legal age to emancipate. Filled with a huge cast of classic and endearing monster such as Frankenstein (Kevin James), The Mummy (Cee Lo Green) and a personal favorite werewolf Wayne (Steve Buscemi), the film has great moments when the gags and references are self-contained. The film looses its shine when it relies heavily on current references like the Twilight-saga. It is indeed hilarious when the visual jokes and monster facts are smashed together into this “Hotel” environment. Witches being the housekeeping department, Quasimodo as the head chef of the residence, or a musical band formed by zombified classic composers. Those are the great touches in this movie. The Romeo and Juliet story is necessary to give it the “human” touch if we must call it something; it is a bumpy road as the story varies from awesomely written “monster-nerd “ comedy and party anthems/rap forgettable performances.

An enjoyable flick to say the list, I caught myself really having fun and being delighted by some scenes, and how this monster become adorable in their own way, taking part into this current message in the media that being different its ok.  “Monster” is a term used to classify all of those unexplainable and misunderstood creates. They in turn seek refuge in this hotel, from the outside, from all those who persecute them and judge them. Here in Hotel Transylvania they can roam around amongst peers. They feel comfortable and are complimented on their differences, just like in any family; each member has its talents and flaws.  Dracula becomes this loving father who really just doesn’t know how to keep his daughter close to him to protect her, and that in fact is touching even if its something already told a million times. I repeat, this conventional plot points are not the flaw here, the mistake its to try and connect with so much of what is “cool” now, and what probably wont be important or even remembered soon.

The human component to the equation is this frat-boyesque kid who is the poster child of an adventure-loving, world-traveling, all-accepting college guy. He brings this laidback attitude to the party, which immediately clicks with all other attendants, even if they think that he is a monster like them (disguised by Dracula as a Frankenstein’s cousin). Johnny, in short, represents this connection between two groups that have always feared each other, and that, as clichéd as it might sound, are not so different. Even in its wacky way it’s a neat message.

Full of extravagant characters, some cool monster references, and musical numbers, the film will please even if it fails to become a classic. From the creator of great carton shows like “Dexter’s Laboratory”, this freaky resort will make you fall in love with even the most despicable creatures. Enjoyable in the here and now and leaded by Sandler’s eastern European vampire accent, “Hotel Transylvania” is out in theaters now. Grade B.