Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Writers: Robert Smigel, Peter Baynham, Todd Durham, Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman
Cast: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg and CeeLo Green
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Somewhere within haunted woods lays the secret entrance leading under a foggy graveyard and over a lone stone bridge to Hotel Transylvania, perched on its secluded rocky island in the shadows of central Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. Human-free since 1898, Dracula’s castle-like vacation destination offers sanctuary to monsters of all kinds seeking refuge and relaxation from the daily grind of damnation. A tireless staff of zombie redcaps, witchy maids and gargoyle waiters lurch at the ready to serve all guests. The hotel is also home to Dracula’s daughter Mavis, whose upcoming 118th birthday means finally discovering the unknown world beyond her overprotective father’s creature comfort inn.
This charade inadvertently attracts the attention of an ordinary young traveler named Jonathan who was exploring the surrounding forest and he follows the staff to the hotel. Once Jonathon enters the hotel, Dracula frantically attempts to hide him from the patrons such as disguising him as a Flesh Golem named Johnny-Stein with the later hasty cover story of being a relative of one of Frank’s body parts. Eventually, Jonathan is discovered by Mavis and company, forcing Dracula to claim he is going to arrange Mavis’ birthday party with a young perspective. In doing so, Jonathan manages to liven up the staid activities at the hotel, charming everyone, especially Mavis. Eventually, even Dracula begins to like the human, taking him into his confidence about his family’s traumatic past after the vampire notices the young man knows something about them in a respectful manner.
Sandler needs a hit bad and I’m glad that he’s found one in the world of animation. However, I can’t say that it’s a good movie. It’s the movie that’s needed at this time of year and it’ll connect with kids. Is that enough to get by with the masses? Unfortunately…yes. Check it out.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
