Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Where monsters go to get away from it all. Even monsters need a vacation. 

Hotel Transylvania (2012) Poster

Other title: Hôtel Transylvanie, Hotel Transsilvanien, Hotel Transilvania,

Монстры на каникулах, Ξενοδοχείο για τέρατα, 精灵旅社.

Comments on Movie: Hotel Transylvania (2012)

"One of my recommended Halloween-themed animated feature for families but it is not without flaws that I could ignore." - Rosalyn Lim.

Genre/Tags 

Comedy Family Fantasy Supernatural Halloween 3D Animation Animated Feature

Hotel Transylvania (2012) Trailer

Hotel Transylvania (2012) at a glance

Hotel Transylvania (2012) is an animated feature directed by Genndy Tartakovsky. The success of this comedy fantasy film has spawned a sequel and an upcoming TV series which is slated to launch on air early 2017.

Hotel Transylvania (2012) Synopsis

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of his best friends - Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more - to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem - but everything could change for the overprotective dad when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

Movie Review: Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Count Dracula and Mavis.

Hotel Transylvania (2012) would be one of my recommended Halloween-themed animated feature for families but it is not without flaws that I could ignore. Before anything else, this review was supposed to be posted last year but it is so unfortunate (I was already critical back then, and I could only grow more critical with time) that I did not have the time to do so until now. 

Mavis in her bat-form.

I usually prefer to keep my reviews as short as possible. However, after watching its much anticipated sequel that I am not entirely satisfied with; I find it even more difficult to ignore the flaws and I have decided to elaborate some of my observation.

Let's talk about the great stuffs first.

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania!

Hotel Transylvania (2012) is beautiful and fun to watch. There are plenty of western monsters and jokes about them, which are quite hilarious and creative. I might be a little biased here but the characters are easily lovable. Most of them especially the baby monsters are so cute and lively so it's difficult for me not to love them... Honestly, it's like monsters galore!

Mummy, Werewolf, Frankenstein, Witch and many more!

Since this time around I am not posting my reviews in chronological order and this is one of the first post under Sony Pictures Animation, I must point out here that family values and/or bond is a strong component in their movies. It's like a recurring theme, I absolutely adore that and the family theme does exist in Hotel Transylvania (2012) too. 

Mavis meets Johnnystein.

In the movie, the main character Drac did his best to raise his daughter, Mavis. Out of fear and love, he just wants to keep her from zero harm and hurt, especially from human forever. Even when Mavis feels frustrated with her overprotective father, she would not throw tantrum or makes thing difficult. Although Mavis is arguably highly dependent on her father for a 118 years old, she is filial and behaves quite well. Drac on the other hand, is always loving and attentive towards his daughter. Thus, their personality and sweet relationship are virtually exemplary. 

Drac and Mavis.

Now the bad stuffs. Before you read on, I must say that I do feel it's just so unfortunate that I bring these points up and briefly elaborate them here because there are many other movies which do that too; sometimes even worst...so here goes.

Mavis and Johnny in love.

The only thing I would complain about the main characters in Hotel Transylvania (2012) is that they fall in love with each other too fast. They are also presumably to have a happily ever after kind of life. Love at first sight is amazing, but "true love and forever" can be attained by not getting to know a person first is not. That is too simplistic; I know some people are going to say it's just a children movie, I understand some might not even remember the movie in its entirety when they grow older but those are exactly why it is kind of dangerous and potentially irresponsible. Children may have subconsciously formed the idea that once they "zing", they can trust the other person without question. Our world isn't as perfect as animation, you know.

Bride of Frankenstein in Hotel Transylvania.

Unfortunately, there are also too much pop song in Hotel Transylvania (2012) to my liking as I prefer original music or score. I know I am not one to judge music but I feel those composed purely for the films are better than just using an artist's song because it's popular and kind of related. I am not saying pop music is not unique, I do enjoy listening to them (sometimes I loved them so much to even watch their music videos and sing the songs at karaoke) but these music are originally created - obviously - not for the movie.

Drac and his friends.

The point is, the addition of pop music into the movie feels random and unfit. They are not originally created or specifically composed for the movie to begin with but let's not go into that even though music itself could be the biggest turn off for many others. This certainly is the biggest flaw of Hotel Transylvania (2012) for me and ultimately along with other minor flaws, it did not get listed under my personal favorite even though it could easily become one.

Drac and werewolf pup, Winnie.

All those negativity aside, I thought the concept is creative and the story is quite good as a whole. I would still recommend Hotel Transylvania (2012) for Halloween and if you watch it, you will also be able to spot other invaluable messages about our present day life along the movie. All these in addition to the humour will certainly please the family viewers, making them wanting for more!

Invisible Man

PS. Happy Halloween 2015! I am (trying to) resume Non-stop Animation Movie Marathon! There are about 100+ drafts now. It's mostly fun but preparing and writing honest reviews... T_T Anyway, all entries for Sony Pictures Animation including popular movies such as Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs are to be posted. All will also be made available on Moviepilot when I have the time to do so. Stay tuned! <3

Movie Ratings

Will write a page regarding this and add this to all animated feature entries in the future.

Who will like this?

Love Halloween-themed movies and monsters from the west? You will find this adorable and enjoyable to watch!

More Photo(s)

Details of the movie
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Producer: Michelle Murdocca
Story: Todd Durham, Daniel Hageman, Kevin Hageman
Screenplay: Peter Baynham, Robert Smigel
Cinematography: Not sure.
Music: Mark Mothersbaugh
Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, CeeLo Green
Full Credit: [IMDb]
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Country: United States
Language: English
Genre: Comedy Family Fantasy
Running time: 91 mins
Budget: USD 85,000,000 est.
Box office: USD 358,400,000 est.

Official website(s)
http://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/

Related
Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
Sony Pictures Animation
Rosalyn's Animated Movie Marathon

Hotel Transylvania (2012) Behind the Scenes

Favorite Movie Character


Hotel Transylvania (2012) Movie Quotes

Sorry not available.. :< If you have the movie transcript, do share it with me!

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