I just saw this film today (after missing out on a sold out sneak preview last weekend) and the increased level of expectation was met with one of the most rewarding moviegoing experiences I've had in the last five years. Monster House gives us one doozy of a spooky antagonist, a decrepit domicile of living malice that gobbles errant toys and passerby with equal ingenuity and viciousness. The house is plain old MEAN, and for really small children perhaps a little too scary to take in a gigantic room filled with strangers and darkness. But for those of us who are too grown up for a nighlight this is perfect, creepy entertainment. The same motion capture technology used to create The Polar Express (a film which I have still yet to see) is a very interesting and appropriate choice for this film, where the only truly fantastic element is the demented house that will not suffer trespassers. It works so well because the eerie realism that depicts the characters is so starkly contrasted with the insanity that ultimately drives the Monster House to be, well, so monstrous. Now I fully expected to be entertained by the antics of the house, but I didn't expect there to be much of a story. Again I was pleasantly surprised by what I think is a script that I believe is just as worthy of an Oscar nomination as the script for The Incredibles was. There is, beneath the floorboards of this film, more heart than horror. A tale of love, retribution, acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately letting go. Monster House is, beyond a doubt, one of the coolest Horror movies for kids ever made. A Halloween tradition in the making that dares to answer that age old question: Can a house be haunted? The answer is a resounding yes with a disquieting post script. Whatever is haunted may also be hungry!Read full review
Pros + Awesome animation with cool characters. + Big twist in the middle. + Great voice actors, special effects, & a story with some real depth. Cons - Might be too adult theme for some children. (Deals with death) - Jon Heder's performance is way too short & he's so funny. Comments I love the feel of this movie. It reminds me of "The Burbs" in a lot of ways. And the art of the film is gorgeous. This movie is fun for the whole family & an instant Spielberg classic. Verdict Must have movie. Excellent animated film.
I enjoy Hayao Miyazaki's animated films, but I saw a preview of Monster House and thought I would like it too. I did! The animation seems three dimensional compared to ordinary animated films. I think much of the humor would be lost on children, but teens and adults will get it. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys animated films! The quality of detail in the blu-ray version I purchased is quite good also.
It is a good movie to watch during Halloween or any time of the year. Might be a little too scary for kids 5 and under.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
If you take away the beginning cruelty from the man in the house and horror like images as a shadowy hand creeps into the boys room while he's sleeping, then yes kids might like it. But by the kids turned old enough to view those things, they probably wouldn't. The end did well, but too many scary images is probably what killed this movie. I've seen 5 year olds live with the scary stuff on Tim Burton's "9" better than this. SO not for the faint of heart child who likes animation.
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