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movie review - Hotel Transylvania

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

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.)