HOLLYWOOD—Many people may not remember the 2012 flick “Hotel Transylvania” about a vampire who owns a hotel that allows some of the world’s most notorious monsters to escape from the world. The flick was a hit at the box-office, which in Hollywood terms is cue for sequel.
“Hotel Transylvania 2” unlike its predecessor does it best to make a stronger connection with audiences by tackling a tale that seems all too familiar in my opinion. Yes, while the outcome of the flick seems predictable, it’s still interesting to watch on the screen. The narrative takes place seven years as Count Dracula (voice of Adam Sandler) is attending the wedding of his daughter Mavis (voice of Selena Gomez) and her boyfriend Johnny (voice of Andy Samberg).
Of course wedding bliss, soon leads to the birth of Count Dracula’s first grandson Dennis (voice of Asher Blinkoff), who develops a strong bond with a werewolf named Winnie (voice of Sadie Sandler). Count is more concerned about his grandson continuing the family bloodline of becoming a vampire, but when he reaches the tender age of 5 and the realization that his fangs have yet to emerge raises concern for grandpa.
This creates a bit of a rift between father and daughter, where Mavis contemplates raising her son outside of the dangers that lurk in Transylvania. While the parents are away, Grandpa does his best to help his grandson hone in on those vampire instincts, but instead places his grandson in more danger than he suspected.
In essence, “Hotel Transylvania 2” is an animated flick that tackles the dynamics of family and it’s interesting to see the perspective chronicled for kids in the face of monsters. It’s reminiscent that the movie is saying all families have quarrels and deal with similar issues as everyone else. So many people find themselves in those tricky situations where they’re aiming to push a family member in a particular direction even though that person may not be keen to following in the footsteps of others.
“Hotel Transylvania 2” presents the message that acceptance is important in the familial circle. While all may not agree with one’s behavior or demeanor, in due time they will come to accept family members for who they are or in this case who they aren’t. It’s also interesting to see that dynamic play out with Count Dracula and his father Vlad (voice of Mel Brooks).
When he gets disapproval from his father, it causes Drac to see that he’s no better than his father with his concern for his grandson. The laughs in the flick is intermittent, but I’d argue that at its core the warmth the movie brings about embracing differences is more important for children and adults to grasp. “Hotel Transylvania 2” is not perfect, it has flaws, but its purpose is clear from the very start of the movie: family matters.
