Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Movies & TV»“Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” is Relentlessly, Taxingly Zany [Review]
    Wanda (Molly Shannon), Wayne (Steve Buscemi), Murray (Keegan-Michael Key), Mavis (Selena Gomez), Blobby, and Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) in Columbia Pictures' HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA.
    Movies & TV

    “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” is Relentlessly, Taxingly Zany [Review]

    The DHKBy The DHKJanuary 14, 20224 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Full disclosure: “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” is the first entry into this franchise >this< author has seen. Sometimes, we like to challenge ourselves by picking up a series part way through. Occasionally it concludes in a delightful result. Such as watching “Paddington 2” without having seen the first (which resulted in discovering the first one afterwards – which we cannot recommend enough). Or becoming obsessed with the “Fast and Furious” franchise even though we’d only seen 1 and 2, and then taking about a decade break and skipping to “Furious 7”…

    More often than not, the result is more masochistic than satisfying. “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” is one of the latter cases. It’s not that it takes a rocket scientist to be able to follow the plot without having seen the preceding films. However we truly don’t understand the appeal of the films.

    We know how much hard work goes into making a feature film. Animation films in particular are often underestimated in terms of the challenges. So we always try to be somewhat generous to entries in the medium. No one ever sets out to make a BAD film. However there’s only so much grace we can lend a project before acknowledging it’s just not enjoyable. 

    Stake Us, Please

    Within the first two minutes of “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania,” we already felt like a headache was inevitable. The film is a mix of relentless zaniness with … dealing with the woes of passing a generational torch?

    Drac (voiced once again by Brian Hull doing an anemic Adam Sandler Dracula impression) is considering handing over the keys to the titular hotel to his daughter Mavis (played by Selena Gomez). But his disdain for having to also pass the ownership to his bumbling human son in law Johnny (Andy Samberg who is the only one who doesn’t seem to be phoning it in) leads to hijinks. Oh and to the cast of monsters being turned into – gasp – NOT monsters. Oh and Johnny INTO a monster. How the tables have turned?

    Drac (Brian Hull) and Monster Johnny (Andy Samberg) in Columbia Pictures’ HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA.

    We can’t fault any of the stars for cashing in on an easy paycheck. Kathryn Hahn, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Keegan-Michael Key, Jim Gaffigan, and Molly Shannon all return. Yet like the undead that some of them portray, there’s limited vivacity to their performances.  

    Animation Can Be for Everyone

    We firmly believe that animation is not just a medium for kids. Sure more often than not films are geared to be inclusive of entire families. However, look at something like “Inside Out” or “Howl’s Moving Castle” as an example that has a compelling story, vivid characters, and emotional depth. Unfortunately “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” lacks all of those things. 

    There are a few OH so brief moments between Drac and Johnny that teeter on the edge of being redeeming. Yet the rest of the movie is cobbled together bits that feel like they’d be better served as tv commercials. Even the animation itself seems to have given up. The cartoony style that defined the first (yes okay we saw some animation previews of it but not the WHOLE thing) is now a hollow shell of its former self. It’s like someone took Genndy Tartakovsky’s distinctive pushed style and cut the budget in a quarter. Tartakovsky (who directed the original) somehow serves as writer and executive producer for this one. 

    Yes, young children will probably be entertained by the pandering of certain segments. Yet parents may find themselves wanting to claw their eyeballs out. Audiences beyond that should probably stay away from this like a vampire avoids garlic. Instead we would recommend a 2000th rewatching of “Encanto” or heck, even the somewhat mindless “Sing 2”.

    “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. 

    DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning when you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission, which helps Nerdbot keep the lights on.

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous Article“The Brave Little Toaster” Fans Will Love Crocheted Blanky
    Next Article We’re Gonna Talk About Bruno… An “Encanto” Inspired Cake!
    The DHK

    Host of We're Watching What?!

    Related Posts

    “Friendship” The Funniest Movie I Couldn’t Wait to End [review]

    May 3, 2025

    “Thunderbolts*” Surprisingly Emotional Therapy Session for Anti-Heroes

    May 3, 2025

    Pluto TV Kicks Off ANI-MAY with Biggest Refresh Ever!

    May 1, 2025

    “Sinners” is Sexy, Boozy, Bloody, Bluesy, and Amazing [Review]

    April 18, 2025

    “The Legend of Ochi” Cute Puppets, But No Magic [Review]

    April 16, 2025

    The Desk Nest Cat Bed: The Ultimate Work-From-Home Desk Accessory

    April 16, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    “The Story of Spinal Tap” Book Coming Ahead of Sequel Film!

    May 13, 2025

    Jessica Jones Confirmed for “Daredevil: Born Again” Season 2

    May 13, 2025

    Six Sigma Green Belt Certification: Building Strong Foundations in Quality Management

    May 13, 2025

    Relapse in the Spotlight: How Celebrities Handle Public Recovery Setbacks

    May 13, 2025

    “The Story of Spinal Tap” Book Coming Ahead of Sequel Film!

    May 13, 2025

    How to Use Tetris for PTSD Recovery: A Science-Backed Guide

    May 7, 2025

    Funko Announces Price Increases Due to…Reasons

    May 6, 2025
    A Million Lives Book Festival

    Authors Lose Thousands at Failed ‘A Million Lives Book Festival’

    May 6, 2025
    Tom Cruise on top of London’s BFI Imax cinema

    Tom Cruise Spotted on Roof of London’s BFI IMAX

    May 12, 2025

    Cameras to Roll on “Highlander” Reboot this September

    May 9, 2025

    Cameras are Rolling on “Godzilla X Kong: Supernova”

    May 9, 2025
    "Evil Dead Rise"

    “Evil Dead” Sequel Lands Release Date

    May 8, 2025

    Jessica Jones Confirmed for “Daredevil: Born Again” Season 2

    May 13, 2025

    “Alien: Earth” Gets New Images, August Release Date

    May 13, 2025

    “The Office” Spinoff “The Paper” Gets Fall 2025 Release

    May 12, 2025
    "Ted," 2024

    Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” Gets Animated Series, Teaser

    May 9, 2025

    “Friendship” The Funniest Movie I Couldn’t Wait to End [review]

    May 3, 2025

    “Thunderbolts*” Surprisingly Emotional Therapy Session for Anti-Heroes

    May 3, 2025

    “Sinners” is Sexy, Boozy, Bloody, Bluesy, and Amazing [Review]

    April 18, 2025

    “The Legend of Ochi” Cute Puppets, But No Magic [Review]

    April 16, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.