Monday, September 17, 2012

Heart-stake ‘Hotel’

Bogeymen bonanza! The monstrously hysterical “Hotel Transylvania” revamps classic creatures into friendly and caring beasties that gather at a haven designed to satisfy their relaxation needs.

The all-ages animated comedy centers on the rapport between an over-protective Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) and his sheltered vampire daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez), who’s celebrating her 118th birthday. Bumbling into the gathering is the human backpacker Jonathan (Andy Samberg), unaware that all the attendees are actual monsters and mythical beings.

Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (“Dexter’s Lab”) and co-written by Peter Baynham (“Borat”) and Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog puppeteer), “Hotel Transylvania” is a rare delight, captivating with its endearing, well-shaped “monstrosities” and their rib-tickling interactions.

The movie manages to poke fun at the inherent absurdities of various monster concepts. There are a few similarities to “Monsters, Inc.”—primarily the angle pertaining to kind-hearted but scary otherworldly beings—but “Transylvania” explores different paths altogether. It’s also a fresh take on the outsider-changes-society concept; Jonathan pretends to be “Johnnystein,” almost effortlessly challenging the established order of monsterkind by introducing unheard-of behavior and practices.

Design-wise, the bogeymen are sleek and kid-friendly, each having distinct qualities and movements. It’s especially fun to see Dracula as a kind, giving father with over-the-top gestures and really emotive expressions.

“Hotel Transylvania” will be in Philippine cinemas starting Sept. 28. 

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