Grown Ups 2

This was my review for Grown Ups that released over 3 years back, almost to the date

http://kartikr.blogspot.in/2010/08/grown-ups.html.  My review for Grown Ups 2 is going to have very little different to offer because it is yet again – an Adam Sandler – Denis Dugan combination that gives you nothing different from any of their previous attempts.

Monster's University

Just the other day, I was lamenting about how 2013 has been a watershed – pretty much – for the animation segment.  There were hardly any good movies that were released to date.  And one could have only hoped through the trailers that Tarzan was good.  But coming up before Tarzan to put a smile on my face – Monsters University!!!

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

What makes your feel exhilarated when you see a magic trick? Is it the surprising aspect of something that you did not expect? Or is it the actual showmanship that the magician gets to the table? Or is it just the awe of seeing something that is so difficult to believe that you start believing that anything is possible?

Hotel Transylvania

I like it when movies are previewed on Thursday. I think all movies should have a paid preview a day before at least. Helps us lowly mortal bloggers get a one-up on the mainstream critics. Hopefully .

Sony Pictures is definitely doing its best to bridge the gap that has been existant in the animation business. A gap that one would have expected Disney to fill up but they have only one movie this year – Brave (my favourite and pick for this year’s Oscars). Dreamworks has given Madagascar (a close 2nd) and Blue Sky studios continue their Ice Age Franchise. Can you believe that there are no other Animation movies this year? Sad but true.

Adam Sandler adds his first full length animated feature to his repertoire with Hotel Transylvania – an exclusive resort meant for the monsters in the world who have no home otherwise and demand all the privacy that they can get. And who has built this hotel? None other than the Count himself. The Count. Oh come one of course you know the Count who owns Transylvania – Dracula (Sandler).

However, the main reason for building the resort is his daughter – Mavis (Selena Gomez) – who he wants to keep safe from the human race. A race that killed his beautiful wife Martha (Jackie Sandler) and left him to take care of Mavis alone. With that sole intent in mind and then the well being of fellow monsters such as Frankenstien (Kevin James), and Wayne the werewolf (Steve Buscemi).

HT showcases some of the most exotic monsters of our time and puts the Count on a tailspin with the entry of Johathan (Andy Samberg) – a regular backpacking human – who inadvertently walks into HT unbeknownst to anyone. He, however, soon gains the confidence of all monsters thanks to his new ways – the count is still in the days of Mozart and Beethoven. Of course, he has to pose as Johnnystein – Frank’s arm’s cousin.

The plot gets convoluted in parts and Adam Sandler’s over the top antics continue even in animation format. An aspect that I have never enjoyed in his movies and probably never will. But the quality of animation is top notch. And the story at an overall level makes you feel good at the end of it all.

First time director Genndy Tartakovsky (only claim to fame being the TV Series – Dexter’s Laboratory) has a long long way to go in the world of great animation movies. I have mentioned this in the past and will continue to believe in it. Great animation movies should seem as good as a regular motion picture. Only with cartoons in it instead. HT falls a bit short on that count (all pun intended).

I was expecting quite a bit from HT and that’s probably the reason for my disappointment. I found the screenplay to be tacky and slapstick at times. But then with Sandler in the cast, I should have expected it. 6 on 10 from my side. Not a great start to the weekend but not too bad thankfully.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2571739673/