Movie Reviews

‘Hotel Transylvania: Transformania’ Review – A Family Fun Quest With A Genuine Message

Synopsis:

Drac and the pack are back, like you’ve never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing’s mysterious invention, the “Monsterification Ray,” goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

Don’t let people who don’t love you change who you are or determine your worth. Unless you’re a complete monster, you’re fine the way you are. We all have things that we want to better about ourselves, but you evolve when you want to. Never do it because some stranger made you feel bad. Also, I’m of the mindset that there are someones for everyone. Whether it be romantically or platonic, there are people just as goofy, awkward, dark, serious, or joyful as you. Trust me, if my weird self can find a wife and a friend group that excepts me then you can and will as well.

“He’s perfect just the way he is.”

Drac is back for one last adventure and he’s going to make it his most transformative. In this fourth installment of the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is a family fun quest with a genuine message. Picking where the previous film left off, your beloved mob of monsters has returned and the most powerful one of them all has some tremendous news. Not only will this news affect Drac’s future but the future of his daughter, Mavis, and her husband Johnny as well. However, there is one very human problem – Johnny isn’t a monster, and Drac just simply finds him unbearable. And all Johnny wants is to feel as if he is a part of his new family, even if that means becoming something he’s not. Along this wacky journey of beastly transformations and mortal metamorphoses, lies a messaging of acceptance and understanding.

Led by its amazing animation and lively voice acting, fans and newbies alike will be smiling and laughing until the end. If you’ve never seen the other three films, don’t fret, you can totally enjoy this film and fully comprehend the dynamic between all of the characters. Nevertheless, being familiar with its predecessors will make your experience with this one more enjoyable. With a story that is easily digestible, full of positivity, and monstrous fun, it’s a great way to cap off the series. While this raucous ramble is a tad predictable and sluggish at times, it remains a film that children will champion and adults will appreciate. Moreover, with comedy that for both young and old, my family enjoyed it and I’m sure yours will too. Its rewatchability is medium-high.

Dracula (Brian Hull) with Mavis (Selena Gomez) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA.

Johnny (Andy Samberg) being zapped to turn into a monster by Van Helsing in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA.

Pacing & Pop

I found the pacing, for the most part, to be right on par with what you want out of a kid’s movie. However, I found the third act to be rather snoozy. What popped for me was the animation and how it may be CG but still holds on to 2D elements. I continue to be impressed by Sony Pictures Animation.

Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), Frank (Brad Abrell) Monster Johnny (Andy Samberg), Murray (Keegan-Michael Key) and Wayne (Steve Buscemi) in Columbia Pictures’ HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Brian Hull, Asher Blinkoff, Brad Abrell, Fran Drescher, Jim Gaffigan, and Molly Shannon.

This voice cast is a lot of fun. When you look at all the names, is easy to see why. The performance that really won me over was that of Andy Samberg as Johnny. He brings an abundance of exuberance and joy to the role. Also, Brian Hull as Drac is funnier than ever as he is in a predicament that he never thought he’d be in. The pair really compliment each other.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video as of January 14, 2022. Stay Safe and enjoy.