Rotoscopers
  • News
  • Podcasts
    • Animation Addicts Podcast
    • Every Episode Ever
  • Reviews
    • Animated Movies
    • Art Books
    • Blu-ray/DVD
    • Live Action
  • Interviews
  • Opinions
  • Studios
    • Aardman
    • Blue Sky Studios
    • Disney
    • Don Bluth
    • DreamWorks
    • Fox Animation Studios
    • Illumination Entertainment
    • LAIKA
    • Lucasfilm Animation
    • Paramount Animation
    • Pixar
    • Sony Pictures Animation
    • Reel FX
    • Studio Ghibli
    • Warner Animation
  • Animation Calendar
No Result
View All Result
Rotoscopers
  • News
  • Podcasts
    • Animation Addicts Podcast
    • Every Episode Ever
  • Reviews
    • Animated Movies
    • Art Books
    • Blu-ray/DVD
    • Live Action
  • Interviews
  • Opinions
  • Studios
    • Aardman
    • Blue Sky Studios
    • Disney
    • Don Bluth
    • DreamWorks
    • Fox Animation Studios
    • Illumination Entertainment
    • LAIKA
    • Lucasfilm Animation
    • Paramount Animation
    • Pixar
    • Sony Pictures Animation
    • Reel FX
    • Studio Ghibli
    • Warner Animation
  • Animation Calendar
No Result
View All Result
Rotoscopers
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews Animated Movies

[REVIEW] ‘Hotel Transylvania 2’ – A Fun Romp Back in Monsterville

Morgan Stradling by Morgan Stradling
September 25, 2015
in Animated Movies, Reviews, Sony Pictures Animation, Studios
3 min read
0
hotel-transylvania-2
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

hotel-transylvania-2

Hotel Transylvania was a surprise hit thanks to its great cast, fun visual comedy, and unique animation. But, with the gang all back together for Hotel Transylvania 2, can our favorite vampires strike twice?

Mavis, the vampire daughter of Dracula, and her human husband Jonathan are adjusting to married life living in her father’s hotel when they find out that Mavis is pregnant. Fast forward a few months and Mavis gives birth to a bright-eyed, little redhead, Dennis. Dracula is simply captivated with the child, but is concerned about his lack of fangs. If Dennis doesn’t get them before his fifth birthday, then he’ll remain human forever.

Meanwhile Mavis is getting pretty fed up with her overprotective and pushy dad and threatens to move Dennis and the family away to California so Dennis can grow up with other human children like him. Dracula convinces Johnny to take Mavis on a relaxing vacation to California (with Dracula whispering in Johnny’s ear that he should convince Mavis of what a bad place it truly is to raise a child) and offers to watch Dennis while they are away. But, seconds after the happy couple leaves, Dracula and his drac pack begin work at trying to make Dennis’ inner monster come out.

Hotel Transylvania 2 is a fun continuation of the first film, which created compelling characters in a unique new world. Some may have thought the film ended on the perfect note (well, maybe not since it did end with a stereotypical animated dance party) and didn’t need a sequel; however, the sequel explores the next natural phase in Mavis and Johnny’s life and it’s nice to be back with these great characters.

Adam Sandler kills it again with his performance of Dracula, making the vampire a hilarious and engaging lead. Mavis, a fan favorite from the first film, continues to steal the show. She’s transformed from a one-hundred-and-something, adventure-seeking teenager to a overprotective mother, who is still just as charming every time she’s on screen.

Mavis’s trip to California is filled with visits to many “foreign” places such as a convenient mart, skate park (where she is the star), and her in-laws’ home. Despite thinking she’s normal and doing her best to fit in, she’s really a monster out of water (which isn’t helped by her in-laws awkward and hilarious attempts to try to make the monster feel at home). She leaves the trip feeling deflated, insecure, and disappointed in the human world around her, wondering if maybe Hotel Transylvania is the best place to be after all.

Yet again, the comedy and visuals are what make this film stand apart. The caricatured characters, poses, and animation harken back to the golden age of animation. Every pose is exaggerated in such an enjoyable, satisfying way. It’s such a treat to see CGI animation done in this way; it’s surprising that more studios don’t try to employ these “old school” techniques to this effect.

One point of contention is Vlad, Dracula’s old school father who is the baddest vampire around. Since he’s so extremely prejudiced toward humans, he’s never been invited to any family events and doesn’t even know he has a grandson. As Dennis’s fifth birthday party approaches Vlad is invited and gleefully accepts, not realizing that the world has changed and that the place will be crawling with humans (not to mention the fact that his grandson is one). While this character and conflict could have been interesting to explore, it feels tacked on the third act, gets resolved unbelievably quickly, and ultimately takes away from the film’s real conflict: Mavis’ decision to stay or leave.

Hotel Transylvania 2 is an enjoyable follow up to the 2012 original. The story doesn’t break any new ground; however, for fans of the first film, it’s a fun romp seeing these character back together again and is on par with the original. Both kids and adults will have a great time and, hey, who doesn’t love a good monster mash film?

✮✮✮1/2

Edited by: Hannah Wilkes

Tags: hotel transylvania 2
Previous Post

Animal Logic’s New Vancouver Studio Sets Up Shop for ‘The LEGO Movie Sequel’

Next Post

Nickelodeon Launches Late-Night ‘Splat’ Block Dedicated to ’90s-Era Shows

Morgan Stradling

Morgan Stradling

Morgan is an Arizona native who's had a lifelong passion for animation. Her favorite animated films are Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast, and The Iron Giant. She earned an MBA in Marketing from Arizona State University and now runs her own business where she coaches and trains entrepreneurs how to launch, grow & scale successful online businesses.

Related Posts

Animation Addicts Podcast #263: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Bronze Age
Animation Addicts Podcast

Animation Addicts Podcast #263: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Bronze Age

August 16, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #262: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- Silver Age
Animation Addicts Podcast

Animation Addicts Podcast #262: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- Silver Age

August 9, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #261: The Secret of Kells – Am I A Commoner?
Animation Addicts Podcast

Animation Addicts Podcast #261: The Secret of Kells – Am I A Commoner?

August 2, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #260: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Wartime Era
Animation Addicts Podcast

Animation Addicts Podcast #260: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Wartime Era

July 26, 2022
Load More
Next Post
Nickelodeon Launches Late-Night ‘Splat’ Block Dedicated to ’90s-Era Shows

Nickelodeon Launches Late-Night 'Splat' Block Dedicated to '90s-Era Shows

Discussion about this post

Popular Posts

  • Animation Addicts Podcast #259: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Golden Age 57 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #262: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- Silver Age 50 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #260: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Wartime Era 48 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #261: The Secret of Kells – Am I A Commoner? 41 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #263: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Bronze Age 39 views
  • 11k Fans
  • 12k Followers
  • 5.9k Followers
  • 5.3k Followers

Recently Added

Animation Addicts Podcast #263: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Bronze Age

Animation Addicts Podcast #263: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Bronze Age

August 16, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #262: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- Silver Age

Animation Addicts Podcast #262: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- Silver Age

August 9, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #261: The Secret of Kells – Am I A Commoner?

Animation Addicts Podcast #261: The Secret of Kells – Am I A Commoner?

August 2, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #260: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Wartime Era

Animation Addicts Podcast #260: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Wartime Era

July 26, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #259: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Golden Age

Animation Addicts Podcast #259: Disney Canon Tier Ranking- The Golden Age

July 19, 2022
Rotoscopers

© 2019 Rotoscopers

Important Links

  • About
  • Support
  • Contact
  • Store
  • Privacy Policy
  • User Posts

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Podcasts
    • Animation Addicts Podcast
    • Every Episode Ever
  • Reviews
    • Animated Movies
    • Art Books
    • Blu-ray/DVD
    • Live Action
  • Interviews
  • Opinions
  • Studios
    • Aardman
    • Blue Sky Studios
    • Disney
    • Don Bluth
    • DreamWorks
    • Fox Animation Studios
    • Illumination Entertainment
    • LAIKA
    • Lucasfilm Animation
    • Paramount Animation
    • Pixar
    • Sony Pictures Animation
    • Reel FX
    • Studio Ghibli
    • Warner Animation
  • Animation Calendar

© 2019 Rotoscopers

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Posting....