Hotel Transylvania

Cast: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Deshner, Steve Buscemi, Andy Samberg and David Spade.

Director: Genndy Tartakovsky

Release Date: 2012

Running Time: 1hr 31 minutes

Genre: Animation

Rating: U

Format: Netflix UK

Synopsis:

Count Dracula owns a high-end hotel away from humans. He goes into overprotective mode on the night of his daughter's 118th birthday when she sets eyes on a human teenage boy.

Count Dracula (Sandler) built Hotel Transylvania when his wife was killed by humans. Now his daughter Mavis (Gomez) can be safe forever. However things soon change on the night of her 118th birthday when a teenage boy stumbles across the hotel. Before long Mavis only has eyes for teenage boy Johnathan. When narrowing it down to suitable Halloween films for children, this is certainly one of the best. Starring Adam Sandler as Count Dracula, Sandler's voice work is absolutely superb. His accent as Dracula is magnificent, hilariously genuine. Selena Gomez stars as Count's daughter Mavis, an extrovert who desperately wants to see what the world has to offer. Is it as amazing as she imagines it to be though?

David Spade stars as the invisible man, his characterisation is excellent, the comedian of the group. Kevin James is terrific as Frankenstein. Steve Buscemi is fantastic as Wayne a wolf with hundreds of babies. Of course we can't forget the only human in the movie Johnathan, performed wonderfully by Andy Samberg. Unlike most humans who'd probably be frightened to be in a hotel full of monsters, Johnny is all for it. The dialogue between Sandler and Samberg is hilariously funny. The comic timing is brilliant. The storyline is magnificent. An animation that manages to be dark, funny and heartwarming all at the same time.

Directorial film debut of Genndy Tartakovsky. Beautifully written by Peter Baynham and Robert Smigel. The animation is absolutely stunning, it's no surprise that it was the 19th highest grossing film of 2012. It's creative and full of fun. The uncanny resemblance between the characters and the actors in real life is fabulous. The characters look all the more genuine. Imagine monsters living in a modern world. The balance between the modern world and theirs is terrific. Tartakovsky was magnificent in making it fun without going over the top, having no reference to Facebook or Youtube in the film.

Heartwarming and full of fun, an excellent film for Halloween. Suitable for all ages.

5/5 stars