journal features

movie review - Hotel Transylvania

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2017.01.23

By all accounts, Adam Sandler is a decent guy who treats people well and there's no denying that he's made his own path. But his life action stuff somehow leaves me cold, trying but failing to be really funny and just landing at clumsy and a bit cringey. This animated movie, about a vampire who has built a secluded hotel to live in self-imposed exile to hide himself and all manner of supernatural creatures from humanity. Humanity is accurately depicted as an irrational, clueless, and violent bunch of mistrustful thugs. He has his reasons (dead wife) but of course his teenage daughter is itching to go out and see the world despite the dangers.

When a human backpacker (see clueless above) turns up during an annual get-together, hilarity ensues. Or rather, Sandler's version of hilarity. It's strained, it's trite, it's OK for young children - my daughter, aged five, seemed engaged - but I didn't enjoy it.

Not recommended.

(I'm sure there will be eight sequels and spin-offs.)

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering