Hotel Transylvania 2

This review may contain spoilers!

While Hotel Transylvania isn't the best animated film this year it delivers a really strong theme for children and adults. I would give Hotel Transylvania 2 a 6/10.

I think the strongest thing about this film is it's discussion about accepting and loving others even if they are different from you, it was a true focus of the film and very masterfully presented. The animation in this film has progressed a fair bit from the first Hotel Transylvania, just look at the first time we see Vlad or when the gang is flying on Blobby to see what I mean. The score and soundtrack for this film is really well put together, I love the way the soundtrack is used to enhance moments of comedy.

Adam Sandler, who voiced Dracula, is a fantastic lead in these films; he really makes many of the emotional high points that stand out within the film. Selena Gomez, who voiced Mavis, really comes into her own in this film; I love seeing her character take on the responsibilities of a parent and demonstrating that it doesn't always come naturally. David Spade, who voiced Griffin, is one of the strongest comedic presences within the film; I enjoyed the running gag of his 'invisible' girlfriend. Dana Carvey, who voiced Dana, was a fantastic parody of the modern camping experience; the sly digs at over the top safety regulations was some of my favourite comedic moments. Rob Riggle, who voiced Bela, was quite an intense antagonist even if he wasn't in it long; this is probably one of Riggle's most fearsome characters yet. Mel Brooks, who voiced Vlad, wasn't in the film long yet displayed some of the best character development of the film; I liked the angle this film takes to bridge the gaps between all generations through this character. Sadie Sandler, who voiced Winnie, is one of the better performances of the film; she has so much chemistry with Blinkoff and you care about her character.

However the best performance came from Asher Blinkoff, who voiced Dennis. This film thrived on this character and performance, the innocent nature of the kid meant that the theme was delivered that much better. Through Blinkoff you get some of the most adorable dialogue exchanges as well as comedic delivery. As I've already mentioned the chemistry between Blinkoff and Sadie Sandler was really strong and one of the best aspects of the film; however his chemistry with Adam Sandler was another fantastic part of the film.

This film didn't have much sense of direction which let down the plot, we had a bit of an opportunity to see Dennis grow up, but then the film became a sort of road trip film and it concluded with a giant monster brawl. This scattered plot was crammed with just too much and it didn't aid the pacing of the story, in fact this film was barely an hour and a half long and it dragged here and there. The film took too long to introduce a clear antagonist, Vlad and Bela only appeared in the last fifteen minutes of the film. The comedy aimed more towards adults fell flat more often than not, it was a bit cringeworthy at times.

Andy Samberg, who voiced Jonathan, gets by by delivering the bare minimum at times in this film; he certainly doesn't match Sandler or Gomez for voice talent. Kevin James, who voiced Frankenstein, doesn't actually do much in this film; he fades to the background in most scenes. Steve Buscemi, who voiced Wayne, just doesn't pique the audience's interest be they young or old; scenes that focus on Buscemi you hope flash by quickly. Keegan-Michael Key, who voiced Murray, wasn't a good choice for this recast; he goes far too over the top with his performance. Fran Drescher, who voiced Eunice, works well in live action material but has an unbearable voice for voice acting; I was quite thankful she wasn't in many scenes. Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, who voiced Grandma Linda and Grandpa Mike, could have been used a lot better in this film; instead they just felt like minor bit roles. Jonny Solomon, who voiced Blobby, represents one of my biggest irks about animated films; I hate main characters that just make noise and are the source of cheap humour. Jon Lovitz, who voiced Phantom Of The Opera, was one of the jokes that really fell flat in this film; it was probably an addition that should have been cut from the film.