Monster House (Widescreen Edition)
By: Sony Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 150
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 On: 2010-02-07
Just got a little nervous cuz shipping took awhile. But then again it got it at a really good price so i cant complain. Overall, movie came new just like indicated. No problems with it.
 On: 2010-02-06
I ordered this DVD for my son for Christmas. It was an incredible price...$.01 and shipping was $2.98. It arrived promptly and was in excellent condition. My 4 yr. old son really loves this movie. We are all very pleased with this purchase!
On: 2010-01-24
My 6 and 8 year old nephews love the fact that they can watch movies on their PSP. I bought them Monster House and its their new favorite.
On: 2010-01-18
Little DJ has suspicions about the house across the street and the cranky old man who lives there. When the old man has a heart attack and is carried away by an ambulance, DJ thinks the danger is over. Unfortunately, as he, his friend Chowder, and a candy-selling prep-school girl named Jenny discover, the house itself has plans, plans that include eating all the kids wholl be trick-or-treating that Halloween night. The best part of the movie definitely has to be the characters. Each were extremely well thought out and put together. They did a fantastic job of matching right voices with the right characters. Characters facial expressions were amazing. Youll find yourself laughing at things they say and do quite a lot. If you are looking for a fun, clean movie with plenty of laughs, this is definitely one you dont want to miss.
 On: 2009-12-17
This movie is part of the new trend of ray traced animation movies.
The ability of computers to make animated human like figures that move
has changed the way we see things in 3d.
The plot is a clever "goose bumps" type plot
out of camp fire stories about the demon souls that take over inanimate bodies.
These kids fight the house and forge a bond of
hardship with each other.
"Luke, blow that thing and lets get out of here"
crossed my mind when the explosive went down the pie hole.
On: 2009-11-01
This is a funny movie, but it does have its scary moments. My daughter was 9 years old the first time she watched it and was surprised at how scary it is. We both liked it. There is enough adult humor to make this a good family movie.
On: 2009-09-12
Great movie...my kid loves it almost as much as me since she was 3 years old. A little scary but OK with dad there., and its a cartoon. The kids kinda remind me of myself at that age.
On: 2009-09-12
The DVD was in good condition, arrived very promptly, and there were no problems viewing the movie. Thank you for a great deal!
 On: 2009-07-13
I found the underlying premise of the film (involving the old mans carnie wife) extremely offensive and exactly the opposite of the kind of morals I want my kids to learn. Shame on you Stephen Speilberg for producing such a bad example. You can be scary and fun without picking on people.
On: 2009-07-11
This DVD was in excellent condition and it arrived in a timely manner. I would definitely buy from this seller again. The movie was clear and I encountered absolutely no problems. Thanks again.
On: 2009-04-10
This was a quick, easy transaction. I received the package quickly and in good condition.
On: 2009-02-18
This is such a cute kids movie.
My 2 year old loves it, I love it !
On: 2009-02-02
This could have been a lot of fun, but like so many of the recent kid movies Monster House maintains a crude and extremely mean spirited tone. Awful for adults and kids alike.
On: 2008-11-24
I never got the item and never got a response from the seller. He sucks!!!
On: 2008-10-27
Much too frightening to show younger kids. I would imagine the cheesy animation wouldnt be very appealing to older kids. Much too long. Boring story. Lame characters.
Im not sure who the intended audience is for this film. Basically its a vehicle for fat prejudice. "Chowder" gets called porky and chubby. The "monster" is a big fat woman who is shall we say...as big as a house. Nice.
On: 2008-10-06
Beware of the innocent-looking cover on the DVD case. This animated movie has some pretty scary moments in it that might be too scary for younger children.
As for the story itself, DJs parents have just went away for a few days, leaving DJ in the care of Elizabeth, or "Z" as she prefers to be called. Z is not your typical teenage girl; shes into the Goth scene and has a boyfriend named Bones. But these are the least of DJs problems. Hes more concerned about the strange man across the street who lives in a dilapidated old house. Objects are mysteriously disappearing from the front yard, and old man Nebbercracker is constantly warning kids to stay away. DJs best friend Chowder even loses his new basketball on the lawn. What can be causing all of these strange occurances?
The answer is soon revealed as Jenny, a young girl selling candy, knocks on DJs door. After being turned down by DJ, she goes across the street to Nebbercrackers house. But the house itself mysteriously comes to life and tries to suck Jenny in. Jenny soon joins up with DJ and Chowder to try to discover whats going on in the house. However, the police foil their attempt to get inside. They are placed in the police car to be taken away when the house comes alive and sucks the car with the children inside. Now that they have managed to get inside, will they be able to get back out again?
I found this movie to be somewhat scarier than I expected. Even though the film is animated, there are some genuinely scary parts that may not be suitable for young children. Also, there are some questionable scenes, such as Bones and Z making out a little on the sofa, and Chowder talking about drinking beer. Finally, theres the classic pee in the soda bottle scene.
Overall, I did find this movie to be pretty good. I liked the storyline of the house coming to life, and the animation is very good. However, I would just caution parents with young children to make sure that they view the movie together. My five-year-old daughter was very scared for most of the movie, and she watched it with us plus her older brother and sister. So, watch this movie with care if there are young children present.
On: 2008-10-05
I just watched it last night. "Old man Nebbercracker"is a spooky old man - at first. Every bodys got a monster house in their neighborhood!
 On: 2008-09-29
This dvd was full of things not suitable for children. There were kids drinking and asking about getting a beer. Vague refrences about one childs parent having an afair. This could have been a decent movie, instead hollywood needed to make it edgy so people would think its great. It was a disapointment.
On: 2008-09-28
Great story, great animation, great presentation. Monster House is the type of animation that draws you in so much that it does not feel like an animated film. I am surprised they didnt attempt to make this a live action movie. Style very reminiscent of The Goonies. I love the reviews who complain the movie is "too much for those under 13"...funny, the MPAA has a rating system...it is rated PG. On the same note, the movie has some deep and creepy undertones. Again, no more so than some of the great "young adult" movies that exist. This movie is a definite recommendation. Not as fast paced as most of the animated fare out there...thats because this one actually makes you think and care about the characters. Four solid stars!
On: 2008-08-01
This was very enjoyable for the whole family and I was so
glad to find it on Amazon and order it....it arrived the
date promised and we are still enjoying it often...
On: 2008-07-27
This movie is a bit like Sony Pictures first animated movie Open Season. This movie will crack you up. The characters are DJ, Chowder, Jennny and Nebbercraker. DJ has a mean babysitter named Zee and her crazy boyfriend Bones. DJs parents left him till tomorrow night. DJ and Chowder sneak out to investgate Nebbercrakers house. Chowder finds out the house is alive. The next day DJ and Chowder save a girl named Jenny. She becomes friends with them then they call the cops. One was a rookie and the other was rude. Then the house ate everyone, so now that theyre in the house they must find the heart and put out the fire. You even get to see Nebbercrakers old wife Constance. In my family this movie would be top awesome after Transformers this movie would be perfect for Halloween. This movie I really like because when I watch other horror movies they sometimes scare the devil out of me and I cant fall asleep. Monster House is really different from other horror movies. First it is a cartoon with comedy in it and last horror so this would be a horror movie for kids. This movie was made by Steven Spielberg. Thank you for reading this. Good Bye.
On: 2008-06-23
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Spooky scary. Probably too much so for kids under 11. Highly recommend.
On: 2008-05-01
This is a fun, spooky movie for kids but us adults enjoyed it too. The effects are really neat, the things the house does. I found some good humor in it as well. I may not watch it 10 times, but most kids will.
On: 2008-03-27
Good product, great prices, speedy delivery. Im completely satisfied as is my son who loves his DVD.
On: 2008-03-12
This movie is hilarious! The idea for this animated/horror/comedy/kids kick butt film was good, and then its execution makes it a knockout. First of all, the way the boys act around the girl is SO FUNNY! ("DJ! You pee in bottles?!?")
I was laughing throughout the whole movie, from the beginning to the end, when they enter the house with a large arsenal of...water guns.
We need more movies like this!
I wanted to give it five stars, but I reserve that for OUTSTANDING movies and Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter products.
On: 2008-03-09
when before there used to be just disney films, recent technological developments gave the opportunity for animated movie producers to release several animated films in a year that you almost cannot keep track anymore. some of them, sadly, became mere exercises in digital graphics, mostly marketing the film through the famous hollywood actors who record the characters voices. ive stopped looking forward to new animated flicks of late, including monster house that i passed up when it was shown in theaters.
but unlike other animated films (mostly with talking animals) that even failed to capture my attention when shown on the small screen, monster house was unlike anything ive seen before.
the plot is typical - three prepubescent youngsters try to "kill" an evil house from eating halloween trick-or-treaters. but the typical ends there. the movie is filled with witty dialog and three-dimensional characters in a setting that has both its light and dark moments. there are no cookie-cutter characters here - well, maybe the protagonists were cut off from the same mold as your average middle class suburban kids, but they were portrayed so naturally as far as movie tweeners go, bringing in an added sprinkling of spice in them. the frontline bad guy nebbercracker was the typical grumpy recluse who drives away kids from his front lawn, but later in the film reveals a rich story that centers on the plot.
everyone else in between was there to bring in the token comic relief - the goth babysitter, her rocker boyfriend, the video game dork, the police officers - all in a naturally amusing manner that was never contrived.
i was aghast learning from imdb.com that ours is the only country where this movie had a G rating. for instance, there was a minor scene where rocker boyfriend attempted to make out with babysitter on the sofa. and while the main characters seemed generally well-adjusted, the story behind the house seemed too dark for young kids. the house looked really scary, for one. even scarier than the creatures in jumanji, which had a PG rating. the film also explores adult issues, complicated grey areas like what to do if your loved one became an evil vengeful spirit, or moral questions such as "does this movie unintentionally portray obese people as evil/scary?" that can get ingrained on impressionable minds. while the themes of unconditional love, devotion and letting go can be for all ages, it was shown so poignantly in the movie with adult sensibilities.
well, i dont know. i watched this movie as an adult and enjoyed it very much. it lacked the air of happy-ever-after that most childrens flicks are known for, but at least for the kids, the movie ended up happily. that is, for the neighborhood, not exactly for nebbercracker who, though seemingly happy himself for his newfound freedom, would naturally have to deal with his grief and maybe regret not being able to live his life for 40 years (plus, where would he live now?). to balance off these complications, the last part where all the toys were returned and all the people who were eaten up managed to climb out of the pit was a nice touch. definitely for the young ones benefit.
memorable quote from the supporting character skull (the videogame enthusiast), attempting to impart some words of wisdom:
"In my travels to video game and comic book conventions, Ive seen many strange and wondrous things".
On: 2008-01-10
I had never heard of this movie and just happened to stumble across it as I was channel surfing. I am so glad I stopped to watch because I found it thoroughly entertaining. It is very much reminiscent of the Goonies. If you liked that movie, youll love this one too.
It was fun too watch the kids being kids. So much of todays portrayal of youth removes the innocence of their imagination, their wide-eyed curiosity, and delight in being young. This movie puts it all back in.
Monster House is definitely a keeper, one I will enjoy watching time and again. When I want to be transported from the crudeness of life to an age of innocences often forgotten in todays society, Ill pop it in and push play.
And by the way, Monster House is not meant to be viewed by little kids, hence the "PG" rating. The ratings are put there for a reason. So responsible adults can wisely select appropriate movies for their children. Just because a movie is animated doesnt mean its appropriate for children, especially young children. Seen any "R" rated animated movies lately? I have. So ignore the ratings if you want to, but dont complain and blame the movie when you have to deal with your childrens nightmares that may result.
On: 2008-01-09
I had never heard of this movie and just happened to stumble across it as I was channel surfing. I am so glad I stopped to watch because I found it thoroughly entertaining. It is very much reminiscent of the Goonies. If you liked that movie, youll love this one too.
It was fun too watch the kids being kids. So much of todays portrayal of youth removes the innocence of their imagination, their wide-eyed curiosity, and delight in being young. This movie puts it all back in.
Monster House is definitely a keeper, one I will enjoy watching time and again. When I want to be transported from the crudeness of life to an age of innocences often forgotten in todays society, Ill pop it in and push play.
And by the way, Monster House is not meant to be viewed by little kids, hence the "PG" rating. The ratings are put there for a reason. So responsible adults can wisely select appropriate movies for their children. Just because a movie is animated doesnt mean its appropriate for children, especially young children. Seen any "R" rated animated movies lately? I have. So ignore the ratings if you want to, but dont complain and blame the movie when you have to deal with your childrens nightmares that may result.
On: 2007-10-28
i really loved this movie. im all for it. it was a great movie. all the more because it was animated. everything was done so well. the story, the characters, the whole deal. good stuff. ive watched it over and over and i still laugh and trip out on some parts. monster house is one hell of a ride for kids and adults. while i must admit that some children may get a little spooked, for the most part i think they enjoyed it most. i dont think it could have been better. its different because its creepy. which is a good thing, thats why i enjoyed it even more so. it has spook, laughs, and some grown up stuff as well. you know theres usually that one house on a block somewhere that noone goes near or walks across the street to avoid, and in this movie there is such a house. home to an old creepy looking man (nebbercracker), who has a face with a look that could kill, and a stinky attitude to go with it. gaurding it and protecting it is his life. he wants nobody tresspassing, especially children. if something lands on his lawn forget about it, consider it lost. all the while his neighbor, a young boy, named dj is very suspicious of the old man and his doings. something isnt right and he feels it, but he just cant quite put his finger on it. hes heard the stories, and hes seen how mean nebbercracker can be, so he stays away and he is afraid. one day he and his friend chowder realize the house has a life of its own. they cant believe it and set up a stakeout to see what else happens when they meet their third party a girl named jenny. at first, she doesnt give them the time of day, then the house makes her change her mind. well the three unite to get to the bottom of the monster house mystery all the while mr. nebbercrackers in the hospital because of dj. so they see their chance, and they do what they can while not getting to close. they meet a duo of ridiculous cops who are a good laugh. they dont help, but the house helps itself to them. once inside the trio uncover the mystery of the missing toys from years and years of gathering by the old man. they also discover the truth about his wife and realize that she is the house. her life was cut short, her happiness only briefly lived, so she stuck around in the only way she could. becoming one with the house that was built with love for her. shes not happy, and shes out to get them, they must free her from the house once and for all. very good movie. lots of adventure and your never to old for this one.
On: 2007-10-17
Yeah I liked this movie quite a bit... I saw this awhile ago so my recollection is not 100%... I do remember there was one part that made me laugh really really hard; and I had this desire for other people to watch this movie because you just had to see this part!
Not that the rest of the movie wasnt any good - animation was pretty cool, not like pixar uber-technically perfect -- but it knew it wasnt pixar and instead went with a unique stylization and flow; plus lots of really neat cinema camera shots, etc. ... really a movie someone spent some time thinking this movie out - i can tell.
Oh yeah, and the end is friggin sweet. Definitely climactic.
On: 2007-10-16
Yeah I liked this movie quite a bit... I saw this awhile ago so my recollection is not 100%... I do remember there was one part that made me laugh really really hard; and I had this desire for other people to watch this movie because you just had to see this part!
Not that the rest of the movie wasnt any good - animation was pretty cool, not like pixar uber-technically perfect -- but it knew it wasnt pixar and instead went with a unique stylization and flow; plus lots of really neat cinema camera shots, etc. ... really a movie someone spent some time thinking this movie out - i can tell.
Oh yeah, and the end is friggin sweet. Definitely climactic.
On: 2007-10-01
I honestly can not believe the good reviews here. I guess maybe kids 12-16 might like it but kids under 12 should not be allowed to watch it and kids over 15 would think it is too babyish. Adults would want that 90 minutes of their life back. The ending is horrible, most of the kids, especially the babysitter are just rude obnoxious children. I am so glad I watched this before allowing my daughter to watch this. It isnt that it was too scary. It just isnt a family film at all. Uvula and the little boys says, isnt that a girl part? Not cool. There is also cursing, tattoos and drinking in this film.
On: 2007-09-30
I honestly can not believe the good reviews here. I guess maybe kids 12-16 might like it but kids under 12 should not be allowed to watch it and kids over 15 would think it is too babyish. Adults would want that 90 minutes of their life back. The ending is horrible, most of the kids, especially the babysitter are just rude obnoxious children. I am so glad I watched this before allowing my daughter to watch this. It isnt that it was too scary. It just isnt a family film at all. Uvula and the little boys says, isnt that a girl part? Not cool. There is also cursing, tattoos and drinking in this film.
On: 2007-09-12
I guess you could label this an "edgy animated film." Its certainly wasnt made with little kids in mind. If it was, that was a mistake because this a pretty scary film in parts - much too much for the little ones.
The "edginess" isnt just the violence (a Halloween-type scary house and the comes alive and attacks people), its most of the characters. They are typical Hollywood-young people meaning they have "attitudues." They arent exactly sweet, lovable people, except for the one young boy "D.J." (voiced by Mitchel Musso). The dialog on the kids - two boys, the babysitter and her boyfriend - make this more of a film for teens and younger adults. The "attitude" means wise-remarks and general obnoxiousness and rebellious attitudes. The worst in that attitude category is D.J.s friend "Chowder," the kind of guy who talks you into doing thing that wind up getting YOU in trouble.
The best part of the film, besides the animation, is the unpredictability of the story. You kept wondering what was going to happen next. That made the 91 minutes go by pretty fast. Its a simple story but very entertaining despite the not-so-great-role models and, as most pictures do, has a good message and a few heartwarming scenes at the end.
On: 2007-08-29
This is a very nice movie. I dont know how anyone couldnt like it. I was mesmerized by the sweet little kid singing la las from the beginning. I would definitely show this to any kid or even adult who came to my house. I dont really like animation that much but this one is on the level of The Incredibles to me although the animation is totally different.
On: 2007-08-27
My daughter enjoyed this movie. This movie wasnt very funny as most animated features are but was border-line scary (no, not scary for me, but maybe scary for a kid). My daughter knows that a house cant come to life but our neighbors kid (who arent allowed to watch Scooby-Doo because of the ghosts, witches, monsters, etc...) couldnt watch it. So, parents, if your child is easily scared, this may not be the best movie to get but if your child is a thrill seeker like mine, the movie may result in a spook or two. Notice that the movie is rated PG and not G. I am rating it with four stars because I was hoping it would be a little funnier.
On: 2007-08-16
Watched on a Sony BDP-S300 with HD component output at 1080i. 2.0 firmware.
Even though I miss some of the color and quality I could get from 1080p using HDMI, this is simply amazing to watch. This is my first blu-ray title and is certainly far above the dvd version. A very underated film.
The story is fun and relateable. Its a coming of age story for one boy, while the other wants to stay young and go Trick or Treating. However, both are smitten by a lovely young lady whom they save from the Monster House.
They must battle the Monster House which is haunted by the wife of the sole crotchety old man living there. You have to wonder who is to be more feared. The casting is PERFECT.
If you dont enjoy this film for the fun story, chubby Chowders wit, and visual surrealism, you dont know what to like. Dont just get it, but get it on blu-ray!
On: 2007-08-13
...though not for young kids. The movie should probably been rated PG-10 (If theres such a thing.) Anyhoot, I think its an interesting concept to have a haunted house animation. Though I think that the creators failed to lay the ground work for getting the audience to have a stronger connection to the children. Plus during the climax, I kept wondering where was the rest of the people in the neighborhood when a house was chasing people. NOBODY else was looking out of their window? Still, it was an entertaing film that held my attention. Overall, its worth a look for you to judge for yourself.
On: 2007-08-09
Funny and kind of scary. I jumped a few times, but my grandkids didnt even flinch.
On: 2007-08-09
I am of the Goonie generation! All hail Chunk! So when my kids and I went to see this movie, it was very reminisant of my fun times as a kid. Great story, amazing animation, and the characters are hillarious! I purchased this as a gift and the price was unbeatable!
On: 2007-08-08
Monster House is a movie for all ages. This movie has no slow moments and its entertaining all the way through the end. My six year old is so intrigue with the movie he repeats the dialogue occasionally. The story keeps you wondering and the ending is very surprising.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-08-04
What a great idea! Lets make an animated film that could scare the crap out of you! This movie doesnt really do that, but gave me the impression that with a little help it could. In the early Disney classics like Pinocchio and Bambi there are horrific moments that are really very scary! In Pinocchio when Lampwick is transformed into a donkey it is the stuff nightmare are made from! When I watched this movie I felt like this film was trying to do something like that. A cool story and great animation make this another Halloween classic! The DVD transfer is great and a worthy purchase.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-06-13
Monster House $19.99
Rating-pg
The movie I am reviewing is monster house. I picked this movie because I like to giggle. Its about 3 kids named Dj, chowder and jenny . Djs parents are going away. So now he is left with a babysitter named z and zs boyfriend named bones. Dj belives that the house across the street is alive. He keeps telling his parents but they say" we dont have time for your foolish games" so sad! This night was his parents going away night. The guy who lives in that house across the street is Mr. Nebercracker. But Mr. Nebercracker has a heart attack and is going to the hospital.
Now it is the 3 kids and the house so they sneek into chowders dads drug store and get the medicine and poor it down the chimney and kill the house that eats everything. Will they be able to go into the house and stop the heart with out the house being waked? Or with out the house eating it? Find out more by watching the movie.
My opinion on this movie is that it was a good movie and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely give this movie a 2 thumbs up. Wouldnt you?
I recommend this movie for kids and adults of all ages. Its scary but funny. Its also a movie to watch with your whole family. So grab some popcorn have a seat and enjoy the movie.
On: 2007-06-12
Monster House $19.99
Rating-pg
The movie I am reviewing is monster house. I picked this movie because I like to giggle. Its about 3 kids named Dj, chowder and jenny . Djs parents are going away. So now he is left with a babysitter named z and zs boyfriend named bones. Dj belives that the house across the street is alive. He keeps telling his parents but they say" we dont have time for your foolish games" so sad! This night was his parents going away night. The guy who lives in that house across the street is Mr. Nebercracker. But Mr. Nebercracker has a heart attack and is going to the hospital.
Now it is the 3 kids and the house so they sneek into chowders dads drug store and get the medicine and poor it down the chimney and kill the house that eats everything. Will they be able to go into the house and stop the heart with out the house being waked? Or with out the house eating it? Find out more by watching the movie.
My opinion on this movie is that it was a good movie and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely give this movie a 2 thumbs up. Wouldnt you?
I recommend this movie for kids and adults of all ages. Its scary but funny. Its also a movie to watch with your whole family. So grab some popcorn have a seat and enjoy the movie.
On: 2007-06-11
When I have friends over and I want them to experience Blu-ray for the first time, this is usually the movie I grab. The story has universal appeal, its kid friendly, and the picture is beautifal.
Out of my entire collection, this is the movie Ive seen the most and is , in my opinion one of the best examples of quality in sound and image out there.
by: superdude666 On: 2007-05-28
This should have been almost a PG-13 movie. This film is almost scary to me at times, and to a little kid, I could see nightmares for a week. Also the story line is a bit thick for kids when it come to the babysitter and her boyfrined, along with the house and owner relations. Otherwise, I did laugh quite a bit during this, flashbacks to goonies (the chowder character), and the animation was quite good. I do recommend renting or even buying this with caution, not for little kids.
On: 2007-05-15
Lets be honest here, the movie isnt the only reason for getting this product, its the picture quality and clarity, as well. And Blu-Ray does just that. With a resolution of 1920x1080p the image/picture quality is crisp and great. The details are vivid and well done, of course many of the smaller audiences who do watch it dont really care for the picture quality and all that other technical stuff but older people who know their tv stuff will surely see the beauty and respect this movie deserves.
As for the moive, its no Shrek or Pixar, but it does have its moments and the facial expressions throughout the movie are by far the best in any other big computer-generated (CG) Animanted film. However, it does have a "horror" movie feel to it and may be a little too much for some children, but all in all its a decent movie and a decent movie to have on Blu-Ray.
I watched the movie on my 40" Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV
On: 2007-05-07
This movie is a good showpiece for BluRay as the transfer was good and you could really see the detail in each scene. And it sounds amazing!!
On: 2007-05-06
For one thing, lets not forget that this movie was rated PG. For those who complained that it was not appropriate for kids as young as 8 years old, well, you should not have had your child there in the first place.
Animation is fun when it comes to movies, but too many people forget that not all animated films are for kids. This film could very well give kids nightmares, espeically those who are afraid of the dark. I cant fault the movie makers for this though. I cant fault the MPAA either. This film was rated accordingly. I have grandchildren who are 8 and above who enjoyed the movie tremendously. Those who take their kids to see these types of films should know their childrens fears. They should also know that this movie was rated PG and, therefore, is not going to be anything like Peter Pan.
On: 2007-04-24
Monster House is one cool flick, especially because it brings so many new things to the table. Monster House is about a mean old man named Mr. Nebbercracker who is constantly shouting at kids to keep away from his house. You automatically get realize that he doesnt like kids but as the movie gets deeper this is actually not the case. The story gets very interesting when a boy named DJ sees something that he maybe shouldnt have seen. Hes been watching his neighbor Mr. Nebbercracker for a while and noticed that this old man is hiding something and it doesnt DJ long to find out what it is.
While playing basketball with his friend Chowder their ball gets away from them and lands on Mr. Nebbercrackers lawn. Dj tries to get it back and before he can get it Nebbercracker pops up and grabs DJ and lifts him up to really scare him. Nebbercracker quickly turns pale and falls on top of DJ. Of course DJ now thinks that he killed Nebbercracker and feels awful but while paramedics are carrying him away he drops a key, DJ notices it and picks it up. After Nebbercracker is taken away strange things start to happen, the house starts to move and make sounds. That night the house eats DJs babysitters boyfriend by luring him with a kite Nebbercracker took from him years before. The next day the house ate a dog and tried to eat a girl scout that DJ and Chowder are quite fond of. They quickly save the girl and before you know it the three team up on an adventure to destroy the house before it does anymore harm.
Monster House is one weird but super cool movie that Im sure not just kids but families period will enjoy. It has an ability to keep the interest of even the most energetic kid and a very original story that is exciting. Its action packed and suspenseful, when kids see these three heroes fight the man-eating house theyll go crazy. It has great characters in DJ, Chowder, and Jenny and theyre all very funny especially Chowder. The voice acting is great, when I heard Officer Lander talk I knew right off it was Kevin James and Nick Cannon was good too. Monster House is great for everybody, it has funny characters, great story, perfect animation, and the ending is action packed, its definitely a movie worth seeing.
On: 2007-04-11
I love these kind of films that go way beyound what were used to. Monster House is one of my faves because it is somewhat scary and because it is just a treat to watch. It actually has a spook factor that some scary movies are lacking. The house is ALIVE! The owner is crazy and mean and takes bikes and balls from little children who so much as step on a blade of grass on its lawn. It calls little children at night. The house isnt afraid of cops and sucks whole cars into its teeth. The movie is also hysterical and the humor is clean and original. What starts out as a movie about a freaky house with a freaky owner ends up actually teaching us a small life lesson and we actually care for the animated characters.
If you liked Toy Story then you will definitely love this. This would also satisfy a scary movie lover because it is a genuine thriller- but with animation.
On: 2007-03-27
The movie is entertaining and appeals to children of all ages. It crosses over to amusing adults as well. The animation is great and the story catches the attention of the viewer. I would highly recommend that you add to the video collection. Its not just for Halloween.
On: 2007-03-24
This was a good movie. I dont typically care for childrens movies, but this was funny and creative - very different then what im used to. I recomend it.
On: 2007-03-20
Was a great movie watched it with my son. And really is entertaining for adults and children.
On: 2007-03-08
Well told story with suspense pathos ignorant cops, unaware parents, bottles of pee, and a house with an appetite. Neighbors form bonds as they try to fathom the secrets of what motivates a house to consume kites and cars.
Then there is the great dialog "That must be its uvula." "Oh it is a girl house."
The film is animated which allows for many scenarios that are not physiologically possible. This actually adds to the spookiness. There is a socially relevant story with a positive ending.
However the there is nothing unique about the story or the characters. This makes it attractive for people that like formula films.
On: 2007-03-08
A young boys obsession with the house across the street and the Boo Radley-esque old man who lives there leads him and his best friend Chowder to investigate...Discovering the houses very troubled past.
Sensitive young children might find the death and unending screaming/jeapordy a bit much. In typical kiddie film style most adults are portrayed as goofy, out-of-it, or just plain out of touch. Child characters are for the most part likeable with the exception of the babysitter and her Snape-esque boyfriend.
I felt the film was okay. It had some entertaining bits (I enjoyed the flashback to the elderly neighbors romance with his wife), and the scenes with the police officers, but some parts such as the end were over-the top. Just okay. No real re-watch value.
On: 2007-03-07
A young boys obsession with the house across the street and the Boo Radley-esque old man who lives there leads him and his best friend Chowder to investigate...Discovering the houses very troubled past.
Sensitive young children might find the death and unending screaming/jeapordy a bit much. In typical kiddie film style most adults are portrayed as goofy, out-of-it, or just plain out of touch. Child characters are for the most part likeable with the exception of the babysitter and her Snape-esque boyfriend.
I felt the film was okay. It had some entertaining bits (I enjoyed the flashback to the elderly neighbors romance with his wife), and the scenes with the police officers, but some parts such as the end were over-the top. Just okay. No real re-watch value.
On: 2007-03-06
This movie has all the components an afternoon popcorn movie should have. Thrills, spills, spooky goings on and great characters who feed off each other, when the house isnt trying to feed on them! This has a great feel to it but with its PG rating parents may well want to watch this before allowing younger children since it has a fair few jumpy scenes. Great fun.
Those who enjoyed The Goonies will love the dynamics and one liners between the central characters, whilst parents will revell in the subtle adult humour. This may also appeal to those who enjoyed the book Beatrice Beechams Fearsome Feast.
On: 2007-03-05
Loved this movie and can definitely see why it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animation! I honestly thought it should have won for Best Animation, but oh well!!
This movie has a great storyline, is fast paced and entertaining to say the least. I think it may be fairly scary for those under 7 years old though, but otherwise a great film.
by: canadian3 On: 2007-03-02
How can one judge the travesty of Happy Feet winning Best Animated Feature? Cars, while it did have its moments, was probably the least developed film theyve done in terms of story and character. Like the guys in South Park say, Pixar is arguably the best at telling the stories that center only on specific characters but Cars felt like they ran out of things to do. So we come to Monster House which is one of those surprises since its so good and its one that adults will get into as well as teenagers but keep in mind, this isnt kid friendly.
A house in a neighborhood belongs to a crickety old man named Mr. Nebbercracker who has a dislike for kids on his lawn, especially if the certain things happen to land on the lawn. One day, young DJ goes after his friend, Cheddars, ball only to have it taken away and yelled at by the old man. Mr. Nebbercracker though suffers a heart attack and is taken away by the ambulance. As if that wasnt bad, the house seems to be alive and the 2 kids, along with treat salesgirl Jenny try to outwit the house and stop it from eating people from the neighborhood.
One can blame the recent animated features solely on Shrek. Whereas the Pixar films emphasized story with funny moments, Shrek seems to have started the trend of rapid fire pop-culture references and non-stop gags in order to hide a weak story. In comes Monster House that finally treats its audience with intelligence. One can only laugh at a lame pun so often so its great a film comes along that actually wants to tell the story. But scenes will probably be a little too scary for the little ones so kids ages 5-10 at least probably wont be able to handle it. This is basically a movie for the growing boy or girl and not a movie to babysit your kids with.
The animation, while not of immense "wow factor", is pretty great and theres even some cinematic camera shots that were quite impressive instead of just simple moves. The house though really comes alive in its sound design as well as every creak, bend and movement gives it a foreboding quality. One thing that I kind of didnt like was the use of "name" actors such as Steve Buscemi, Catharine OHara, Fred Willard, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Kevin James and Napoleon Dy...I mean Jon Heder show up. Whatever happened to just casting people who were right for the role? Luckily though no one seemed out of place.
I would highly recommend you watch this first before letting your kids see it. Ill make things simple: if your child is between 5-9, then dont show it...unless you think theyre macho and can handle it. Adults can handle it of course but kids might be crying at it. Good movie though, just saying...watch first.
On: 2007-02-22
The animation ... Excellent. The characters ... Excellent. The premise ... Excellent. Laugh lines ... plenty of them and well executed.
This is a movie you will say was worth spending your money on.
THE PROBLEM IS ... as adults you will understand the movie is about putting the past to rest so you are free to enjoy your now and your future.
For kids, they dont see a lesson in putting your past to rest, they see - If you dont like something - put IT to rest ... as is R.I.P. - DEAD!
After the crotchety old man (doesnt every haunted house need one to heighten the tension) identifies the haunting is related to someone he knows ... there is far too personal a vendetta to finish them off (again).
Also shame on the producers of this movie... a KIDS movie ... there is far too much irresponsible adult behaviour (babysitter getting it on with boyfriend, boyfriend getting drunk and threatening the kids, etc) -- it is just not necessary to tell this story.
I wouldnt let any relative of mine, under 14, see this otherwise excellent flick.
On: 2007-02-21
The animation ... Excellent. The characters ... Excellent. The premise ... Excellent. Laugh lines ... plenty of them and well executed.
This is a movie you will say was worth spending your money on.
THE PROBLEM IS ... as adults you will understand the movie is about putting the past to rest so you are free to enjoy your now and your future.
For kids, they dont see a lesson in putting your past to rest, they see - If you dont like something - put IT to rest ... as is R.I.P. - DEAD!
After the crotchety old man (doesnt every haunted house need one to heighten the tension) identifies the haunting is related to someone he knows ... there is far too personal a vendetta to finish them off (again).
Also shame on the producers of this movie... a KIDS movie ... there is far too much irresponsible adult behaviour (babysitter getting it on with boyfriend, boyfriend getting drunk and threatening the kids, etc) -- it is just not necessary to tell this story.
I wouldnt let any relative of mine, under 14, see this otherwise excellent flick.
On: 2007-02-14
An unexpected surprise. Smart dialogue. A movie for kids with adult appeal.
On: 2007-02-01
Monster House, like all well done computer generated features, is very pleasing to look at. Colors are vibrant, depth is strong, and the animation is very life like. Many of the visual effects, particularly towards the end, go straight to that part of the brain which first wanted to upgrade your TV to high definition. But I do feel Monster House stops short of receiving a perfect score, not because of the transfer, but because of the artificial grain filter which the film makers applied. It wasnt obtrusive but it did detract, ever so slightly, from the clarity of the image. Not once did it create the effect of Wow, was this shot on film? but rather When are they going to do something about mpegs dancing dither. A score of 4.5
(PS3 - 1080p projector - 92")
by: Anonymous On: 2007-01-31
This film is fantastic. Its an animated kids film version of something like Fright Night. The scary house, being watched by a kid who knows something isnt quite right.
Its a great film, with plenty of laughs and tension. This makes a change from the recent spell of "animal" animated films and is really well worth watching. The small kids will probably be terrified for a while after watching!!
On: 2007-01-29
I was very disappointed in this movie. There were a few inappropriate scenes for kids 8 or under; a scene with a teenage babysitter having her boyfriend over, drinking beer and asking for a little you-know-what was not what I expected to see in an animated movie geared towards kids. The story was a little freakish. Not a movie I would watch again. Im sorry I bought it.
On: 2007-01-28
I was very disappointed in this movie. There were a few inappropriate scenes for kids 8 or under; a scene with a teenage babysitter having her boyfriend over, drinking beer and asking for a little you-know-what was not what I expected to see in an animated movie geared towards kids. The story was a little freakish. Not a movie I would watch again. Im sorry I bought it.
by: domanie On: 2007-01-19
I just finished watching this movie with my family and I have to say we truly enjoyed it. We meet three children, two boys DJ and Chowder and a young lady named Jenny. These three have something in common; all were almost eaten by the Monster House which just happens to be next door to DJs. The children try to get help from adults but none will believe them, not the babysitter nor the police, until they were eaten as well.
Now it is up to the children to stop the Monster House.
Now listen, this house has quite a story behind it and you will be surprised to find out why it eats anyone who touches the property line.
The effects are great, the story is spooky but fun at the sametime and the characters are just a joy. The plus......it has a really happy ending.
Great movie and one I can highly recommend to share with your family.
One little warning.....very young children maybe a little scared....in some parts.
by: newtonooi On: 2007-01-19
Many of the cartoons coming out of Hollywood lately seem to resemble other cartoons, or live action movies released in the similar time period; i.e. Sharks Tale and Finding Nemo, Cars and Talledega Nights, Madagascar and The Wild, etc... But Monster House is quite an exception. Released by neither Dreamworks nor Disney/Pixar, this cartoon features a cast of lesser known stars in a story about a haunted house on a typical suburban street. The house is occupied by an old grouch, Mr. Nebbercracker, who does whatever he can to keep anyone and everyone of the house and its lawn. One Halloween, Nebbercracker has a heart attack and is wheeled away. The house proceeds to come alive and eat everything that encroaches upon it. DJ, who lives across the street, his friend Chowder, and the love of their lives, Jenny, decide to investigate. They come to believe that the house is actually inhabited by the spirit of the deceased Nebbercracker.
But then the story takes an unsuspected turn as Nebbercracker returns, and informs them that the house is actually inhabited by the spirit of his deceased wife, Constance, who died in a rage-induced accident during the houses construction. This revelation comes too late, for the house comes alive in a fury, and the kids must destroy it upon the urging of Nebbercracker. This they do, freeing Constances spirit, and Nebbercrackers life.
The story itself is quite original and interesting. The artwork is impressive and quite realistic. The movie itself is rated PG, but there are numerous scary scenes that I would not take anyone under 10 to watch. The dialogue is interesting and authentic, and the comedy is good but not knee-slapping. Overall, a great movie and loads of entertainment. I highly recommend watching it.
On: 2007-01-18
I love this movier. I watched it with my DayCare children and we love this movie.
On: 2007-01-18
The Golden Globes are over and their new Animation Category has been added (2007). And anyone who thought MONSTER HOUSE had even a remote shot at winning this award mustve been smoking crack. Up against HAPPY FEET and the awesomely entertaining CARS, Monster House was the lemon in the animation ranks. Even though the animation was good (actually these things are more a cartoonish CGI than animation), the story missed by a mile.
More interesting than the story itself was the manner in which it was made. On the extra features of the DVD it shows how small, electronic balls were attached to actors as they read their lines and acted out the parts, allowing the CGI animators the ability to track every facial twitch and finger movement, thus making the animated characters move in a more life-like fashion.
I dont usually mention the MPAA ratings of films, but here Im going to make an exception because this supposedly kid-friendly film is rated PG, not G. My guess is that the violence and the one off-comment about female anatomy ("Oh. So its a girl house.") forced this rating on the film (just something for those stickler parents to be aware of, although Id be willing to bet your little kiddies get more information from the Victoria Secrets catalogue in your monthly mail and more bloody viewing on the nightly news).
The story is about a dank house on a quiet street. This house is inhabited by a crazy old coot named Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi) who guards his property with rabid ferocity. Any toys that end up on his lawn are immediately confiscated and never seen again. Across the street from Mr. Nebbercracker lives D.J. (Mitchel Musso). Hes infatuated with the dark and dreary house, and spies on it via a telescope from his upstairs bedroom window. And when D.J.s parents head out for the weekend and put a babysitter in charge of D.J., things start to get interesting. The babysitters boyfriend vanishes, and D.J. instigates an argument with old man Nebbercracker, only to have the crotchety man fall over with an apparent heart attack. An ambulance takes Nebbercracker away and the house now sits vacant on the verge of Halloween eve.
D.J.s best friend, Chowder, comes over, too, and when D.J. tells Chowder about the strange goings on at the vacant house, Chowder doesnt believe him and decides to play doorbell ditch. But when he rings the bell, the house comes alive! The spirit of ...something lives in its walls.
As the boys try and figure out whats going on, they also encounter an entrepreneurial young cookie sales-girl named Jenny whom both boys become somewhat enraptured with; Chowder and D.J. are, after all (so were told), approaching puberty.
Initially the boys and Jenny think that old man Nebbercracker is dead, but his unexpected return changes everything they once thought they knew about the old, scarey house.
Although loaded with plenty of action, scarey scenes, and funny buddy dialogue, the story is simply not up to par. The fact that D.J. is approaching puberty has nothing to do with the storys end result and is given way too much emphasis throughout. The babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) also has little to do with the story and appears more as filler than anything else.
Even so, the animation is interesting and the action will keep most viewers watching. Just dont expect Happy Feet or Cars and youll probably do just fine with Monster House.
by: bionicscribbler On: 2007-01-17
To begin: If you have seen one Spielberg movie, youve seen them all. Somewhere Spielberg developed a templette of characters, situations, and jokes that are constantly reshuffled and reused in all of his films. Call in sick one Friday, and spend the entire weekend watching Goonies, Gremlins I and II, E.T., * batteries not included, Twilight Zone: The Movie and any six episodes of Amazing Stories. If you have seen these, then you have seen this film.
Although the plot, theme, characterization, and setting are shopworn, Spielberg excels with his style. His framing, pans, and trademark sweeps are all there, and make all of his above mentioned films pure eye-eye candy. Two examples of his framing involve the Monster House being framed within the upstairs window of DJs room. In one shot you get both the Childrens reaction, and the ever-present, ever-looming, ever-threatening Monster House. The second has to do when the children approach the house. We see the children through an upper-story window (window, BTW, is from old Norse "wind-eye"), looking down on the Lilliputian invaders. The point-of-view is from this evil house, and adds to the eeriness. For a brief second, we become the house, reinforcing the feeling that we are dealing with a sentient (and malevolent) entity.
This feeling of evil brings us to a sad point: Spielberg can do Orson Welles, but cannot do Rod Serling. He has the artistry of the camera, but does not have the philosophy to handle evil. Spielberg has a soft spot for a happy ending, and this limits his ability to do say anything meaningful about evil. His antagonists are merely brutal. Thus, there is none of the brooding and intelligent malevolence that you see in Serlings work (such as Billy Mumy in "Its a Good Life"), or in "Lord of the Rings." His films are not scary--just brutish and disgusting.
Consequently the Films "Happy Ending" seems appended--or merely squeezed in-between the climax and the end credits. It certainly does not grow out of the fabric of the movie. So is Mrs. Nebbercracker evil--which is how she is portrayed for 97% of the move--or is she just a misunderstood hausgeist who has low self esteem? The parting kiss made no sense, since she was so brutal to so many people for such along time.
The "killed" people, also come back to life, using a similar gimmick that I first saw in" Ghostbusters." It brought a chuckle, and tempered the tone of the movie.
There are smaller criticisms of the film, mostly dealing with its logic: Why are the parents leaving on Halloween? Who has "other plans" or schedules a business conference on Halloween? Why would Jenny be so trusting of these strangers? Where are her parents? Where are the parents in general? How come only these children see the house, but no adults? (Like Buffys high school paper having an obituary column)
Additional criticisms have to do with the predictable humor: Rocky Mountain Wee Water, the kissing up to Jenny, the Uvula (I saw that coming a mile away). What was most disturbing was the depiction of the black cop. Holy Cain was raised over Jar-Jar being a Steppin Fetchit, but when we get the same gollywog templette in this movie, not a peep.
So maybe I should just watch Spielbergs film with the sound down. The good news is if I did this, nothing would be lost.
On: 2007-01-17
The Golden Globes are over and their new Animation Category has been added (2007). And anyone who thought MONSTER HOUSE had even a remote shot at winning this award mustve been smoking crack. Up against HAPPY FEET and the awesomely entertaining CARS, Monster House was the lemon in the animation ranks. Even though the animation was good (actually these things are more a cartoonish CGI than animation), the story missed by a mile.
More interesting than the story itself was the manner in which it was made. On the extra features of the DVD it shows how small, electronic balls were attached to actors as they read their lines and acted out the parts, allowing the CGI animators the ability to track every facial twitch and finger movement, thus making the animated characters move in a more life-like fashion.
I dont usually mention the MPAA ratings of films, but here Im going to make an exception because this supposedly kid-friendly film is rated PG, not G. My guess is that the violence and the one off-comment about female anatomy ("Oh. So its a girl house.") forced this rating on the film (just something for those stickler parents to be aware of, although Id be willing to bet your little kiddies get more information from the Victoria Secrets catalogue in your monthly mail and more bloody viewing on the nightly news).
The story is about a dank house on a quiet street. This house is inhabited by a crazy old coot named Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi) who guards his property with rabid ferocity. Any toys that end up on his lawn are immediately confiscated and never seen again. Across the street from Mr. Nebbercracker lives D.J. (Mitchel Musso). Hes infatuated with the dark and dreary house, and spies on it via a telescope from his upstairs bedroom window. And when D.J.s parents head out for the weekend and put a babysitter in charge of D.J., things start to get interesting. The babysitters boyfriend vanishes, and D.J. instigates an argument with old man Nebbercracker, only to have the crotchety man fall over with an apparent heart attack. An ambulance takes Nebbercracker away and the house now sits vacant on the verge of Halloween eve.
D.J.s best friend, Chowder, comes over, too, and when D.J. tells Chowder about the strange goings on at the vacant house, Chowder doesnt believe him and decides to play doorbell ditch. But when he rings the bell, the house comes alive! The spirit of ...something lives in its walls.
As the boys try and figure out whats going on, they also encounter an entrepreneurial young cookie sales-girl named Jenny whom both boys become somewhat enraptured with; Chowder and D.J. are, after all (so were told), approaching puberty.
Initially the boys and Jenny think that old man Nebbercracker is dead, but his unexpected return changes everything they once thought they knew about the old, scarey house.
Although loaded with plenty of action, scarey scenes, and funny buddy dialogue, the story is simply not up to par. The fact that D.J. is approaching puberty has nothing to do with the storys end result and is given way too much emphasis throughout. The babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) also has little to do with the story and appears more as filler than anything else.
Even so, the animation is interesting and the action will keep most viewers watching. Just dont expect Happy Feet or Cars and youll probably do just fine with Monster House.
by: darkgenius On: 2007-01-16
No matter where you grew up, there was almost surely a nearby house that gave you the spooks. Maybe it was an abandoned, rotting hulk of a haunted house, or maybe it was the inhospitable dwelling of a scary old man you suspected of doing very bad things behind his dark walls. Both scenarios apply to the Monster House. Dare to even step foot on the lawn, and mean old Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi) comes out of the front door like a banshee, yelling for you to go away if you dont want to be eaten. Its easy to see why DJ (Mitchel Musso) and his friend Chowder (Sam Lerner) are so scared of the place. From his window across the road, DJ has seen things no adult would ever believe. When Chowders brand new basketball rolls into the yard, though, DJ bravely sets out to claim it before the house does. That leads to a confrontation with Nebbercracker, who keels over while shaking DJ around like a rag doll. That is when things really get bad. Nebbercracker may be gone, but the house is alive - and its Halloween.
Clearly, theres no way DJ and Chowder are going near the spooky old house again. Then they spy a cute girl strolling toward its door, oblivious to the danger she is in. Eager to impress Jenny (Spencer Locke), they decide that they have to do something before the house feasts on all of that nights trick-or-treaters. Adults, such as DJs babysitter and the local police, are no help at all. The kids are going to have to do this on their own. After seeking the sage advice of the local video game wizard, they devise a plan to stop the house by destroying its heart (and they have a good idea of just what and where that is). Naturally, the plan goes awry, trapping the kids within the very mouth of the monster. There, they learn the secret of the killer domicile (which they never saw coming), but will they live to tell anyone about it? More importantly, will they be able to save Halloween for all the local children by ridding the neighborhood of this deadly menace?
When you talk about this movie, you have to start with the animation. It is truly something to behold; you might even be creeped out by how incredibly real everything and everyone looks - especially in terms of the facial expressions that communicate the characters emotions (especially those of fright) incredibly well. The house itself is a model of anthropomorphic CGI, particularly when it really comes to life and goes on the attack. This is a PG movie, but young children might get the heebie-jeebies from some of the houses more frightful manifestations. For the most part, though, Monster House is rollicking good fun, especially when subtlety is thrown out the window and the story becomes far too outrageous for even a wee little tyke to take seriously.
Heres the bottom line: children should get a real kick out of this film. Any possible frights should quickly be forgotten thanks to all of the humor built into the story. I think most adults will enjoy the film, as well. Monster House is certainly no Shrek, but it should prove pretty entertaining to one and all.
On: 2007-01-15
This Childrens movie is capable of entertaining adults although it really is aimed at children 6 and above it is incredible. The plot is heavy on suspense while at the same time subtly pushing values such as loyalty in friendship, perseverance, and tolerance.
The plot revolves around a deteriorating house which seems to consume everything around it. When the house falls under the scrutiny of two pre-teen boys in all their awkwardness, the action begins and eventually the history of the house is told. Excellent, compelling and will hold a childs attention. May be too scary for children under 5.
by: hidden-dragon On: 2007-01-15
With two producers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, the simple story of "Monster House" is bolstered by the visual techniques that were previously used in `The Polar Express. Good news is that the movements of the characters have become more natural and smooth than that of Tom Hanks who sometimes looked like frozen in `The Polar Express.
The simple story about three kids living in suburbia and a spooky house which literally eats unheeding trespassers is effectively told in the first half of the film, where the film successfully builds up the creepy tension of the haunted house. The film is often scary, and the scare is blended with a healthy dose of humor.
But from a certain point the films story begins to look stretched, getting thinner and thinner as it goes on. The second half relies too much on the familiar action sequences of chasing and explosion, and the voice cast is not particularly impressive. Most disappointing thing for me is the three protagonists that are only stock characters. The three kids look like the shadows of Harry, Ron and Hermione
The facial expressions of the characters in `Monster House look still weird at times, and I mean weird not in a charming or appealing way. The filmmakers still need more imagination in how to use motion capture device to create more interesting or original animation world. Still, though `Monster House does not have much originality, it comes with lots of fun.
by: longshotex On: 2007-01-13
Its sad to say, but this movie was scarier than most of the movies are that coming out these days labeled "horror." And why is that? Because this movie actually has a story. An interesting one. It focuses more on suspense and not the "OMG What was that?! Oh..a cat" moments. The animation wasnt the best Ive ever seen. The characters seemed a bit wooden but it was decent.
On: 2007-01-13
This is a cute, smart, and entertaining animated movie. Its good for adults as well as kids, although not really young kids. The animation is very life-like. Definitely worth seeing.
On: 2007-01-12
Good movie that the kids enjoyed. Prompt delivery. Item was new as described.
On: 2007-01-12
Bought movie for my daughter and neice. They both love it. Great quality.
On: 2007-01-11
Monster House uses an animation technique where the faces of the characters are made very "human" and this results in a sometimes disturbing feeling, especially when the characters are showing rage or fear. My kids got scared watching it and ran away (7 & 8)although I know some children are a lot tougher and can watch the insect scene in "King Kong" without getting the heebie jeebies. (Which I did). Certainly the animation technique creates a more intense experience.
On: 2007-01-11
THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE. IT WAS A LITTLE SCARY IN THE BEGINNING FOR MY KIDS BUT THEY STILL ENJOYED IT.
On: 2007-01-10
Cant take my eyes away from this movie in my Sony BDP-S1 on my 1080i HDTV. Absolutely incredible. In the second chapter, when the boy bounces his basketball off the backboard (then rolls across the street) we literally followed the ball around the room. Lossless audio quality. Spellbounding visual quality. Blu-ray is amazing and this movie is amazing to watch. Cant wait to receive Corpse Bride (blu-ray) this week from Amazon.
On: 2007-01-10
This is a great film the kids love it and the jokes are there for the adults too.
On: 2007-01-10
From the preview I thought it would be a nice lite childrens "scary movie" and I got it for my 5 year old. I think it is most inappropriate and hideous movie for the children. It gets really scary and at some point it gets downright ugly.
In all fearness my daughter loved it. But my daughter does not get scared very easy.
I intend to "loose" this moview for a few years.
On: 2007-01-10
This is a great animation movie. It has a excellent story and plot, not just great computer graphics. This movie should win the Gloden Globe, for best animated feature. We loved it.
On: 2007-01-10
This is a fun movie to watch. Visual graphics are great and there are some very amusing and funny scenes.
On: 2007-01-09
great fun movie for all ages! kept my 7yr old daughter glued to the movie, no typical wandering away from watching.
On: 2007-01-09
My daughter wanted to see this movie so I was glad to get it for Christmas and I received it within 7 days after ordering it.
On: 2007-01-09
This is a well done cartoon, showing kids with imgination & strong friendship bonds. A little scary for under 3 year olds, but worth watching.
On: 2007-01-05
MONSTER HOUSE is a great animation movie but slips back and forth a lot between horror and comedy. DJ lives across the street from the Nebbercracker house, the one that every kid in the neighborhood knows is haunted. DJ is consumed by the house and watches it every day. Then, after he has an argument with old Mr. Nebbercracker that leaves the man apparently dead, DJ gets drawn into the house to face the evil once and for all.
The Robert Zemeckis and Stephen Spielberg seal of approval is clearly all over this movie. It takes place in suburbia, one of Spielberg and Zemeckiss favorite stomping grounds, and deal with a youngsters view of the world. Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Turner, Jason Lee, Fred Williard, Catherine OHara, Kevin James, Maggie Gyllenhall, and Nick Cannon all provide voices for the film.
The comedy and horror of the movie oppose each other in the film at some points, grinding against each other at times. But the animation and audio portions of MONSTER HOUSE are the best Ive seen. Watching MONSTER HOUSE was entertaining on some levels just because I knew what kind of ride I was on, and it was entertaining to see how the scriptwriters and animation people made the experience all new again.
The downside of the movie is that its really too scary for the young audience and is more in line for pre-teens or more knowledgeable toddlers.
MONSTER HOUSE is a good film for family nights, providing just enough honest chills and belly-laughs to keep an audiences attention (child and adult) all the way through. Dont forget to watch all the way through the end credits to find out everything that happened.
by: carstairs38 On: 2007-01-04
Every neighborhood has one - the house that everyone fears. It is slightly run down and the owner is a weirdo that drives everyone away from the property.
In this particular neighborhood, that house is across the street from DJ (voice of Mitchel Musso) and is owned by Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi). Hes convinced that something strange is happening there, but he can never get any adults to believe him.
One day, his friend Chowder (Sam Lerner) loses his ball on the lawn. While trying to get it back, the two friends upset Nebbercracker. When the conflict sends Nebbercracker to the hospital, the boys think they have their chance to find out what is really happening. But spying from across the street becomes a full out assault when a girl scout named Jenny (Spencer Locke) gets her cookies eaten by the house. Have they been seeing things, or is the house really alive? Will anyone ever believe them?
I had a feeling from the previews I wouldnt like this film. I was sorry to be proved correct.
The story looks like it is aimed at kids, but it really isnt. The story features a baby sitter who has a heavy make out session with her stoner boyfriend who wont stop making out when asked, a main character who thinks hes killed an adult, and plenty of shocking and horrifying scenes. Kids under 10 or 12 will get nightmares. The movie should have been rated PG-13.
Unfortunately, this movie doesnt work for adults, either. The characters are very shallow and we dont really come to care for any of them. The plot has been done before and better in other movies making the scares very predictable if youve seen other haunted house movies. To top it off, the animation is stylized but just comes off looking plasticy.
Skip this movie. It wont satisfy anyone who watches it.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-01-01
For those of you who saw the Scientiftion movies of Steven spilbergs such as the ground breaking Poltergist trilogy this movie is for you. A word of warning this movies has several intense scenes with scary images and thematic elements so it maybe to intense for young kids under the age of ten. I monster house a ten year old boy name DJ finds that the house of the grump old man next door has come to life and is terrorize the neighboorhood. With the aid of his friend Chowder and a young girl Jenny they must uncovered the haunting and sad past history of the old possed house. The three of them must make a historic journey into the depths of the house its self. Inside the most combat supernatural fear and power like none they have ever seen before. Can these children save the neighboorhod and put the troubled soul who posses the house to rest. Find out in the fiery conclusion to his master piece that will have you gasping for breath and asking for more.
On: 2006-12-31
I just finished breaking this DVD in half and throwing it away. How it every got a PG rating Ill never know. Im afraid this rating will lull parents into thinking this movie is safe for kids. It isnt. Despite being a "cartoon" it is mean, very violent and frightening right from the beginning with crude bathroom humor scattered throughout. The movie starts with a kid thinking he has killed the old man across the street and went down hill from there. Not for kids and as far as Im concerned. I didnt even want it around the house.
On: 2006-12-31
This movie keeps your attention but crosses the line at points. The kids loved it, but some of the parts were too scary for the younger ones. The circus fat-woman, whose spirit haunted the house, was freaky and some of the scenes were tense and frightening (such as when the woman falls to her death). There was an abundant amount of crass humor, with the boys using pop bottles to relieve themselves (though not shown, it is discussed).
This is a movie that I could watch again if I was really bored, but would not choose to.
On: 2006-12-30
I just finished breaking this DVD in half and throwing it away. How it every got a PG rating Ill never know. Im afraid this rating will lull parents into thinking this movie is safe for kids. It isnt. Despite being a "cartoon" it is mean, very violent and frightening right from the beginning with crude bathroom humor scattered throughout. The movie starts with a kid thinking he has killed the old man across the street and went down hill from there. Not for kids and as far as Im concerned. I didnt even want it around the house.
by: zachfree On: 2006-12-18
The previews for Monster House are a bit misleading. It seems like a childish animation film using gimmicks like a Jon Heder cameo to sell tickets. In reality, this movie is so much more than advertised.
After a flood of disappointing animation films in recent history Monster House is a pleasant surprise. All the characters are well developed and fun to watch including Catherine OHara and Fred Willard appearing briefly as the main characters parents.
Monster House calls back memories of great "kids" movies from the 80s: Goonies, Lost Boys, Stand By Me, to name a few. The house is actually pretty scary (maybe too scary for small kids) and the story moves along pretty nicely. This is the kind of movie that is enjoyable for all ages.
by: skiffy1 On: 2006-12-16
What if the mean old man across the street is not the real thing to be scared of. His threats seem more like warnings if you listen closely. Then the man is taken away and some of the local kids start to learn the truth about the man who has terrorized the neighborhood. And the truth about his house.
A trio of gutsy kids discover that the house is more dangerous than the man. It can actually eat people, pets, and whatever it wants. The police are disbelieving at first and then powerless later. Then the real horror begins when the kids learn that staying away from the house isnt enough. The house can come after them. The house must be stopped and the kids will have to be the ones to do it.
This film is a little slow to start although there are a few hints of things to come. But once things start to move they really move. And then they move even faster. I recommend that any young people who watch it should also watch all of the epilogue bits that run through the end credits (it takes some of the bite out of the film). I would not recommend this for very young kids as it gets pretty intense and has a lot of violent imagery. But if you arent too young then you should check this one out.
On: 2006-12-15
This movie would have been better if the story line would have moved a little faster. I think the focused on too much of outside the house. They could have done more house scenes and less of dragging out the story line. There was even a point during the movie I thought my wife, my kids and myself was going to fall asleep before the plot thickend. Good movie but could have been great.
On: 2006-12-14
This movie would have been better if the story line would have moved a little faster. I think the focused on too much of outside the house. They could have done more house scenes and less of dragging out the story line. There was even a point during the movie I thought my wife, my kids and myself was going to fall asleep before the plot thickend. Good movie but could have been great.
On: 2006-12-11
Wow, I was not expecting this movie to be so intense. There is a young boy who lives across the street from the scariest house ever. Its owner is a mean old man, and I mean nasty. When he has a stroke during a confrontation with the boy the house is left unattended and we find out the house is alive. Though I am not a good judge I would say that this movie should be fine for 6 year olds and up though younger kids could certainly watch it with their parents. I just wasnt expecting this house to be so scary, it really is a monster. The story gets pretty deep though I thought they could have dwelt more on the monster wife a little more. Overall, you just cant beat a kid in a tractor going up against a house. A non stop thrill ride. How many people will the house eat and is there anyway to stop this it?
On: 2006-12-11
Monster House is too intense for younger kids, especially if you have a great sound system. The scariness of the house is just too much for kids under 8 or so. The animation is mostly fantastic... the scenery and houses are very realistic and highly detailed. There are a lot of scenes that use "camera" motions/viewpoints that would be impossible in real life - those are very cool. Example - in the opening sequence, you follow a maple leaf as it falls through a tree towards the ground. The characters are obviously and intentionally cartoonish so they tended to be some of the least realistic details in the movie. Pretty smart dialog most of the time (except the dumb cops - why do cops, teachers, and parents have to be dumb in movies so often??? Its not funny any more and maybe never WAS funny). The animation of the characters themselves is quite good, so good that you even laugh when they fall unexpectedly, etc.
In 1080 high-def this movie is very cool, right up there with the best animated titles. The uncompressed audio track is awesome all the way through the movie... lots of very interesting bass, intensely loud at times. Combine the loud menacing sound with the scary/menacing screen images and you see why younger kids might not deal with that level of intensity very well. This is a disc youll pull out as a demo when people want to see your big-screen 1080 display - great color, great sound, excellent detail, very clean transfer with no obvious problems... shows how great your big high-def display and high-end audio equipment are.
by: santeria5 On: 2006-12-04
I was first attracted to the film on the purely visual side, the promo clips were superb. I did not see the film in the cinema ( I did want to) however, since I have 5.1, it really delivers on that side. The sound design is clearly first class.The DVD pack has a very neat turning wheel, which changes the scenario on the front, and on in the inside of the ( special edition?) slip case.Anyways, the DVD is a first class Package.
Much of the specials are aimed at the Adults, and for me at least, are akin to revealing the tricks of the magician behind the curtain.I think that the younger ones will get little out of the commentary, waffly at times, and a commentary which either goes too much into the technical or too much into the "Back Story"; Why did they not, for instance, talk about how liberally the direction has borrowed from Zemeckis films?? The leaf falling down and starting the story... ripped from FOREST GUMP ?? Anyways, its a good little start. The commentary is not exactly designed to entertain, unfortunately. But the web link to the games is VERY cool. With buddy icons, Wallpaper, and screensavers, as well as extremely fun games ( no doubt similar in some form to the ones for sale) is a great flip side for kids fun.
The film is great for all ages, the rest of the extras are more adult oriented, the web links are more fun for kids, and maybe they might put some more thought into the extras. The DVD menu is just so severely great, that they could easily package some extra stuff in with much more on the experiential entertainment side, rather than marvel at their own technical wizardry.
On: 2006-11-26
DJ (Mitchel Musso) has been studying a rickety old house that used to be owned by reclusive cranky-pants Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi). His buddy Chowder (Sam Lerner) is even pulled in to study the house. One day, after Nebbercracker died, the house wound up trying to eat one of DJs friends, Jenny (Spencer Locke), which further raised the kids suspicions to code red. With no one to believe him, not even his parents (Catherine OHara and Fred Willard), his babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhall), or the local cops (Nick Channon, Kevin James), its up to DJ, Chowder, and Jenny to find a way to stop the house before it grows to powerful to stop.
In 2004, Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks teamed up for the holiday blockbuster "The Polar Express." What made this sleeper so successful was that it was the first to feature motion-captured animation. Now, Zemeckis teams up with Steven Spielberg to executive produce the Gil Kennan-directed horror comedy "Monster House." While it kind of loses steam at the end, this clever mix of campy thrills and family comedy staples make this one of the most clever movies youll see in years.
The opener of the movie, featuring a young girl riding on the bicycle singing loudly, may fool you into thinking that this is a childrens only film. But when the old man Nebbercracker comes up and destroys her bike, it firmly establishes the tone that this isnt a cutesy Disney flick. Sure, adults are rarely featured (a shame, because Willard and OHara can be funny), but the children have rich character detail that make them less than annoying and more rootable.
The film pushes its PG rating to the limits: topics about death, teens about to get it on, an authentic feel of suspense, teenagers with frightening names (Bones and Skull), childs playthings getting ripped to shreds, a video game with characters getting cut apart... the list goes on. It works a lot like "The Incredibles," as the movie has a lighthearted enough feel with enough comic relief from the cast of characters.
Whats also different about this movie from "The Polar Express" is the ensemble cast in this film. The child actors are really good, but youve got some good talent elsewhere: Jon Heder sneaks in a bit of Napoleon Dynamite as a video game clerk, Jason Lee as Zees boyfriend, and Nick Cannon authentically garners laughs as a rookie officer. Even if some of these side characters dont get the respected screen time, the actors make good use of whatever time they have to deliver witty lines and good screen presence.
"Monster House" also suffers from a bloated final act. Much like in "Lucky Number Slevin," the screenwriters feel like they should explain the whole plot. This comes as a cop-out when the movie delighted in the hijinks of DJ and Chowder. Then more genres pile up on this movie: the chase movie, the bittersweet love story, and the action thriller. While the comedy is still there, the screenwriters mustve been sweating bullets trying to keep it funny and exciting at the same time.
Regardless, "Monster House," like "Ice Age 2," breaks the mold by dodging family movie clichýs to make one of the most endearing films of the year. Sure, there are some touching moments, but theyre not shoved down the audiences throat like some other movies that delight in too much fun before the morals pop up ("Chicken Little," "Doogal," and "Hoodwinked"). For a movie with Zemeckis and Spielberg involved, this is a wacky romp that offers summer audiences with some escapism that movies of this kind dont really bother trying to do. But will it rock the Academy Awards like Roger Ebert said? Wait and see.
On: 2006-11-23
I never thought to hear the term "prude" crop up in a supposed childrens film, but this is simply a sign of the times. There are a few childrens movies I can think of when it comes to crossing the line between safe and scary, movies like "Wizard of Oz." But "Monster House" is one of the few animated films geared towards children that may succeed in frightening them. This is a fresh breath of air after the puerile "Cars," an innocuous diversion unsuitable for those who appreciate a worthwhile movie, especially one for their children. Nevertheless, with this movie parents are taking somewhat of a chance, which is saying your children are tough cookies. There are a few "edgy" moments, and plenty of scary ones, too. However, this is such a satisfying movie that I think both kids and adults will have a ball with it.
Because of the screenwriters Im sure, "Monster House" is unlike a Pixar movie inasmuch as teenagers are one of the major audience grabbers. The film isnt rated PG to fool you. In fact, it strays into the uncharted territories of "PG-13" animation. Lewd references are common, and there is nary a talking car or squirrel here. Dont think Im trying to scare you off from giving it a look, because its the best animated movie so far this year. However, dont watch the film and guess that you know what it is going to be like, because it is indeed a huge surprise.
On: 2006-11-21
THIS IS KLS REVEIW
THIS WAS A VERY GOOD MOVIE BUT THE PLOT WAS A LITTLE ON THE STRANGE SIDE. MITCHEL MUSSO DID A GREAT JOB, WELL WE ALL KNOW HE ALWAYS DOES A GREAT JOB.OKAY ILL STOP DROOLING OVER HIM AND GET BACK TO THE MOVIE.
THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT A CRANKY OLD MAN THAT DOSNT LIKE PEOPLE TO SET ONE FOOT ON HIS LAWN,AND A TEENAGE BOY THAT LIVES ACROSS THE STREET THAT DOCUMENTS EVERY TOY THE OLD MAN TAKES BECAUSE IT TOUCHED HIS LAWN,WHAT TIME IT WAS WHEN IT ACCURED, AND TAKES PICTURES.BUT THEN WHEN A TRAGIC INCIDENT HAPPENS TO THE OLD MAN AND EVERY ONE ASUMES HIM DEAD WELL AT LEAST THE BOYS DO. THE TEENAGER DJ AND HIS FRIEND CHOUDER DISCOVER THAT THE HOUSE IS EVEN STRANGER THAN THE OLD MAN AND THAT THE HOUSE SEEMS TO BE POSSESSED BY THE OLD MAN, WELL THATS WHAT THE BOYS THINK. THEN WHEN A AROGANT GIRL NAMED JENNY SELLING HOLLOWEEN CANDY GOES UP TO THE HOUSE DJ AND CHOUDER COME TO HER RESCUE AND SHE ENDS UP HELPING THEM FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HOUSE. THEIR PLAN IS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE OR THE HEART OF THE HOUSE. BUT WHEN THAY FINALLY GET INSIDE OF THE HOUSE THEY DISCOVER A VERY STRANGE THING WHICH IM NOT GOING TO SAY BECAUSE YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO JUST WATCH IT FOR YOUR SELF.BUT BEFORE THEY GET TO THE HEART, THEY GET UP CHUCKED, LOL.AND THEN A HORRABLE THING COMES TO THEIR MINDS ITS HOLLOWEEN AND EVERY KID THAT GOES TO THAT HOUSE IS GOING TO GET EATEN! BUT IM GETING TOO CLOSE TO THE ENDING OR AM I? WELL IF YOU HAVENT SEEN IT YOU WOULDNT KNOW SO YOULL JUST HAVE TO WATCH IT BECAUSE IM NOT GIVING ANY MORE OF THE MOVIE AWAY!HOPE YOU LIKE IT AND BY THE WAY MITCHEL MUSSOS MINE!!!!!
On: 2006-11-19
MONSTER HOUSE is not your typical animated fare. Its not a full-blown comedy which your kids will romp at, first of all, so if youre thinking this is like CARS or OVER THE HEDGE, you couldnt be more wrong. MONSTER HOUSE is more like a straight-up supernatural film but catered to those over 7 years old - those younger than 7 years will doubtless have recurring nightmares about certain scary sequences in this film. The story, involving three kids who face off against a monstrous, haunted house, is quite straightforward in its plot and stands out as being something darker than your normal animated endeavor. It does have its light touches and moments of the funny (I got a mild kick out of the little girl at the start humming the theme to AMAZING STORIES), but, for the most part, Im not sure how well the comedy worked, especially since most of it is instigated by the irksome, chubby sidekick, Chowder. The computer graphics are pretty neat and certainly up to par with the other, technically sound, animated stuff being put out there. But the story left me a little cold, and I think a part of the reason why is because the protagonists werent really that engaging. In fact, my favorite character turned out to be the enterprising cookie-selling girl Jenny. The lead kid, D.J., sorry to say, was very bland.
I give kudos to Executive Producers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg for eschewing the usual U.S. animated film formula and going a different route. So Im laying down three stars for this one. MONSTER HOUSE is an expertly crafted effort, with great production values, including competent voice acting. But I didnt feel anything for the characters; ergo, I wasnt invested in whatever happened to them. The big reveal, when we find out the secret of the spooky house, turns out to be uninspired and anti-climactic. And, while I realize that things have to be kept at a PG rating, I was hoping that the folks swallowed by the house would stay swallowed, but, as I feared, by the end credits, they were back safe and sound. But, listen, Im not saying its a bad movie. Fans of R.L Stines GOOSEBUMPS series and of John Bellairs Lewis Barnavelt books will certainly find much here to cling to. I just thought thered be more to it. As it is, MONSTER HOUSE is diverting fluff with, for its genre, pretty good spooky moments.
On: 2006-11-12
Well told story with suspense pathos ignorant cops, unaware parents, bottles of pee, and a house with an appetite. Neighbors form bonds as they try to fathom the secrets of what motivates a house to consume kites and cars.
Then there is the great dialog "That must be its uvula." "Oh it is a girl house."
The film is animated which allows for many scenarios that are not physiologically possible. This actually adds to the spookiness. There is a socially relevant story with a positive ending.
However the there is nothing unique about the story or the characters. This makes it attractive for people that like formula films.
On: 2006-11-08
MONSTER HOUSE is a tremendous achievement, as long as you know what youre getting and not expecting something different before going in.
First of all, and the most obvious thing to be aware of before viewing. This is something different when it comes to kids movies. There are no goofy hyper-active squirrels, singing lobsters, or joke busting Mr. Potatoes. In fact, there is very little comedy at all. MONSTER HOUSE is more along the lines of GOOSEBUMPS or, well, there actually arent a whole lot of movies like it.
MONSTER HOUSE is an excellent movie and it is unique. Like I said, it isnt your typical animated movie. There is a fine line when it comes to your children watching it. My six year-old daughter watched the movie and loved it, but at times, she did get a little scared. Although it was a fun scared. There is nothing in the movie that will tramatize your kid or anything.
Any kid older than six gets traumatized, and you may want to check their wussiness factor.
There is actually a great story to MONSTER HOUSE. If you can overlook the near complete absence of comedy and enjoy the family oriented ghost story, you may love it. Most noteably, its a gutsy attempt by Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis to do something outside the box and give us an entertaining childrens animated movie that didnt tell the same old story.
On: 2006-11-07
Monster House was a bit disappointing in my view. Hadnt heard much of it before ordering it on Amazon, but according to other reviewers it was originally released in 3-D in theatres. That makes sense as this would be a killer movie in 3-D ...hell almost ANY movie could use that additional Wow factor 3-D adds (when done well). Unfortunately its a little too dark a story to be a kids movie (below 10 or so) and not intelligent enough to be well-recommended among adults.
Not enough story in a too-small world, not enough laughs (yes im aware its ostensibly a "horror" story) and the animation, while pretty and state-of-the-art isnt phenomenal or ground-breaking enough to warrant must-have status for that reason alone. Rent it first and then decide if its worth buying or if its just another just-decent computer-animated movie as has been released in recent years.
Cmon Toy Story 3! Or Monsters Inc. 2!
On: 2006-11-06
The film starts out so well, and after a while a serious suspension of disbelief was required. Still, Im a fan of the new assortment of animated features that have been put across our tables, and "Monster House" is a treat. I wont go into my issues regarding plot holes, because that would give away too much, and I wont do that. I will say that the assembled cast was without fault; I especially thought Jason Lee captured the essence of the stoner very well. Children have quite resilient imaginations, regarding spooky stuff, and the many plot twists will hold their attention. The bottom line is that this film should be taken for exactly what it is: a fun adventure seen through the eyes of some interesting kids. Indeed, all the characters were well-developed. The widescreen DVD is the ONLY way to see this, and the DVD extras are plentiful and genuinely informative. Enjoy!
On: 2006-11-06
The story is geared towards adult, teens, but not young kids. That thing put aside, the story is good, animation is done well with enough realism to wow you, but not too photo realistic that rubs away all the fun.
On: 2006-11-05
This review is based on the widescreen DVD version of the movie, I have not seen it in 3-D in the theater. However, I am an aficionado of computer animated movies, so was very much looking forward to seeing this one. Monster House is really a hybrid animated movie using a technique called motion capture to map movements made by live actors into the digital realm of the computer animated movie. The actors actually say their lines and act out their scenes in outfits with detectable buttons glued all over them (including 72 on the face and head). They are surrounded by cameras and the computers map their characters skin to the three dimensional space defined by the actors body.
This has some good points, the first is that some of the animation is downright remarkable because of it. A good example would be of Chowder dribbling his basketball around on DJs driveway at the beginning of the movie. My jaw dropped when I saw that, because no animator, no matter how good would ever get those complex motions down so perfectly. However, it still doesnt handle faces very well. One of the big problems in computer animation today, is that faces are extremely difficult to get right. Even in the best animated movies, human faces appear somewhat wooden and stiff. And even though the motion capture technology allows complex motions to be accurately animated it still falls short when it comes to faces. Even though the actors had to get an appalling number of buttons glued to their faces every morning, it still wasnt enough to fully capture the nuances of human facial expression. And part of the problem is that the fundamental nature of animation is its ability to exaggerate reality, so trying to be more realistic in an animated movie in a sense conflicts with the very nature of animation.
Anyway, enough of talking about the motion capture techniques, this is at its heart an animated film, and the animation of the Monster House is where this movie really shines. The Monster House just motionless still looks evil, and when it comes to life, you really believe its alive. This is animation at its finest, the house is just glorious, with its two window shaded eyes, its front porch-shaped lips, its door shaped mouth, and its entry carpeted tongue. Even in 2D the effect of the house coming to life is overwhelming, I cant imagine how fantastic it would look in 3D. The rapport and dialog between the actors paying the kids, Mitchell Musso as DJ, Sam Lerner as Chowder, and Spencer Locke as Jenny is excellent. Maggie Gyllenhall as the babysitter Zee, Steve Buscemi as Nebbercracker and Jon Heder as Skull are also quite good.
Some of the camera angles and shots in this film were very inventive and probably done for the 3D "wow" affect, but I enjoyed seeing them anyway. Directors sometimes forget that in a computer graphic animated film the camera can be anywhere and can do anything. There is a shot in Monster House where the camera is located exactly where DJs head is. The view is DJs view of himself reflected in the back window of the ambulance. As the ambulance pulls away the camera, as it were, stays attached to the ambulance and you see the reflection of DJ receding in the distance. That would be an impossible shot in real life. And I give the team that made Monster House a lot of credit for stretching the filmaking envelope in creating shots like this.
All in all, this was a fun movie to watch. The animation is totally cool, the kids are believable, the plot is interesting and has some twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the dialog is downright funny at times. This movie really should be a Halloween classic, one of those DVDs you pull out every Halloween to scare the youngsters. Really a good time.
On: 2006-11-04
The story line was a bit slow and I didnt care much for several of the main characters. The animation is very good. Better for ages 7 to 16.
by: _bernie On: 2006-11-03
Well told story with suspense pathos ignorant cops, unaware parents, bottles of pee, and a house with an appetite. Neighbors form bonds as they try to fathom the secrets of what motivates a house to consume kites and cars.
Then there is the great dialog "That must be its uvula." "Oh it is a girl house."
The film is animated which allows for many scenarios that are not physiologically possible. This actually adds to the spookiness. There is a socially relevant story with a positive ending.
However the there is nothing unique about the story or the characters. This makes it attractive for people that like formula films.
On: 2006-11-03
Not your average animated film. "Monster House" actually appeals to the 13 & over set. The humor is more adult in nature (that, and the at times intense scenes of the house attacking people, facture into the PG rating) and i have to say, this was the most enjoyable movie ive seen in a very long time. The cast including Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Fred Willard and Catherine O Hara are spot on perfect. The writing is smart, and laugh out loud funny which makes it ideal for the adult, and older child viewer. Highly recommended.
On: 2006-11-03
The story line was a bit slow and I didnt care much for several of the main characters. The animation is very good. Better for ages 7 to 16.
by: craigathrgemsdotcom On: 2006-11-02
When I was a kid my neighborhood was pretty much my whole world. For most kids, they know their own homes and the homes of the other kids they play with. The adults in these families are also known. But of course to younger children even thirty year old adults are ancient folks. Their grandparents are so old that they must have seen the beginning of the world. You know, fifty to seventy years ago.
But the home down the block or across the street of that incomprehensibly old person who lived alone and who demanded that you stay off their lawn was also quite frightening. This fear has been exploited in childrens fiction to various effects for a long time. Just one very famous example is in the first "Home Alone". But the important point is that the fictional point is rooted in the reality of the lives of most kids. This contrasts with the well-known rules of vampires and werewolves that every kid knows, but unlike the fearsome old person down the street, vampires and werewolves do not exist.
This movie uses that fear of the strange and angry old person who hates kids on his lawn combined with a good Halloween monster film. D.J. (Mitchel Musso) lives across the street from an absolutely frightening old man named Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi) who lives in an even scarier than he is. D. J. is so disturbed by the old mans behavior that he studies him through his telescope and takes pictures when he confiscates childrens toys that end up on his lawn.
Chowder is D.J.s best friend and though he is more frightened of Nebbercracker, he is also less concerned and wants D.J. to come outside and play more. D.J.s parents are leaving town and have a babysitter, Zee (Maggie Gyllenhaal) coming over to watch him for a few days. Of course, she has to have her idiot boyfriend, Bones (Jason Lee) come over to pass the time. After Bones leaves because he cant gets irritated with Zee and ends up seeing something in the house that attracts him into investigating further.
The next day is Halloween and Jenny (Spencer Locke) comes to the neighborhood to score some extra money selling last minute candy. She attends a well regarded private school and is full of energy and smarts. After she experiences something at the monster house she teams up with D. J. and Chowder and the rest of the movie ensues.
Very fun, interesting twists, and has a good balance of being funny and scary for the kids. Adults can tap into their childhood and their memories of whatever scary house was a part of that long ago time.
The animation is quite good. However, it does have some strange aspects like the little girl riding her tricycle. We notice that she is missing her front teeth. Now, a little girl who is old enough to ride her tricycle that fast alone in the neighborhood would have had all her teeth come in. But if she is old enough to start losing them (six or seven), she is too old to be riding a tricycle. This is where animators sometimes go after cute and simply end up with jarring. However, this is a tiny little point in such a good story.
And a lot of good fun.
On: 2006-11-02
Spielberg & Zemeckiss "Monster House" is a great new family film that is sure to be viewed atleast once every halloween season from here on out. With a very fun light heartedly creepy original story,top notch animation & an overall intoxicating charm "Monster House" is the best family holiday film since "The Polar Express" & "A Nightmare Before Chritmas". Without a doubt destine for holiday classic status.
On: 2006-11-01
The plot and content is where this film really falls short. The opening scene of old man Nebbercracker picking a young girl up and screaming, "DO YOU WANT TO DIE!?" was a little too much for my young son to handle. The wife and I ended up watching this one alone and found it mildly amusing at best. The film has some sexual content, alcohol consumption, and violence that make it unsuitable for children less than 10 and even questionable for children under 13. Though the film has some adult content the plot isnt on an adult level, so all ages lose out on this one. Its also pretty funny the monster house runs amuck in the neighborhood and at the end the parents pull up and are totally oblivious to the fact that the house directly across the street has been destroyed.
Sorry just expected much better from a Zemeckis/Spielberg motion picture.
3 stars for outstanding animation, voice work (Props to Kevin James and Jon Heder), and a great musical score.
My advice is to pass on this one.
On: 2006-11-01
"Monster House" could have been much more. As it is teens and adults alike may find it slow and childish. Young children might find it too graphic. A small range of grade school children might like it, but if I wanted to purchase a suspense DVD for children I would choose Chronicles of Narnia.
by: jen-jay On: 2006-11-01
I wasnt able to catch this in theater but was able to purchased this DVD yesterday and watch it with my entire family on Halloween night. After viewing this I thought it was good and frightening for the event. My kids were mesmerize buy it while my husband on the other hand was frighten by it (Just kidding). "Monster House" is defiantly good and cool for kids (7 years and up), yet certain to be a hit with grown-ups but defiantly not for the younger tots. It manages to strike a chord with children by inhabiting the world they live in, full of creepy old men living in haunted houses, while at the same time, offering up enough scares and laughs to keep any 30 year old kid at heart thoroughly entertained.
The animation is nothing short of inspired, as the motion capture technology truly breathes life into the CGI animation. Facial expressions, "camera angles" and "tracking shots" are planned with painstaking detail; its truly a sight to behold. Youll forget youre watching a cartoon right from the fluttering leaf of the opening credits.
Not content to stop there, the filmmakers have added to the superb animation with equally superb writing and a cast to deliver those lines. Familiar voices (see the above credits) fill the adult characters with a lot of humor, even though each adult is given only about 5 minutes of screen time. Each actor does a lot with their 5 minutes, completely deserving of their pay check. The clever casting of Jon Heder makes this the first film to get full dynamite for his cameo, as he fits in perfectly as an arcade legend.
Still, with all this going for it, "Monster House" would have failed if its child roles didnt measure up. Fortunately, the three leads steal the show, aptly performing voice work that stretches from childhood tomfoolery to ghastly terror to puppy love, all within the same scene. Their honest approach to the scripts clever and accurate depiction of children almost too old for trick or treating, yet not quite old enough to forget the bogeyman makes this a film that will certainly become a perennial Halloween favorite under the kids listing.
by: kendallfon On: 2006-10-31
"Monster House" is a pretty scary film if youre between the ages of five and ten. Below that age demographic, Id stick with "Mickeys House of Villains" or "Poohs Heffalump Halloween Movie." Above that age group, though, this is still a wonderful tale with just enough creeps and spooks to keep older children and adults interested in the story.
It starts out with an adorable little girl triking through the neighborhood. Shes sweetly saying hello to the leaves, the fence, and pretty much everything she crosses paths with. When her trike accidentally lands on the lawn of creepy Mr. Nebbercracker, however, the story takes a very dark turn and keeps that atmosphere until the climax of the film. D.J. knows that something is not quite right with the house, and his diligent spying finally lands him the answer that he is after when he and his pal, Chowder, go after their basketball when it lands on the Nebbercracker lawn.
His parents dont believe him, his babysitter doesnt care, and even the police think D.J. is nothing more than a very imaginative little boy. In short, D.J. and Chowder are on their own when they decide to get to the bottom of the strange goings on at the old house. They pick up a new friend in cookies salesgirl, Jenny, who has her own run-in with the house. Together they set out to solve the mystery of the home, its owner, and one of its former residents. Its a great mystery/thriller that has a far-fetched, adventurous, ending and is just plain fun for the whole family.
As stated before, children under five may find this flick to be too scary. People and animals "die" early and often in this film. The house can be downright terrifying at times for younger audiences as well. However, if youre kids can handle most of the scares from films like "Haunted Mansion," they can handle this flick. Rest assured that the ending (its important to watch through the first half of the credits) isnt as bad as you might think, and the body count isnt as terrible as it would seem. In fact, youll find that theres quite a bit of heart in this film once the culprit behind all of the hauntings is revealed.
The DVD is wonderful. It has a nice selection of documentaries on the making of the film that are actually very interesting to watch. There are the obligatory "pats on the back" by the crew involved, but most of them seem more excited to be allowed to make a film like this than to be bragging about their accomplishments. Voices include Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, and Nick Cannon. Also providing voice talents are the instantly recognizable Kathleen Turner and the very funny duo of Catherine OHara and Fred Willard. The kids include Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, and Spencer Locke.
Overall, a wonderful Halloween flick for the entire family.
Highly recommended.
On: 2006-10-31
The plot and content is where this film really falls short. The opening scene of old man Nebbercracker picking a young girl up and screaming, "DO YOU WANT TO DIE!?" was a little too much for my young son to handle. The wife and I ended up watching this one alone and found it mildly amusing at best. The film has some sexual content, alcohol consumption, and violence that make it unsuitable for children less than 10 and even questionable for children under 13. Though the film has some adult content the plot isnt on an adult level, so all ages lose out on this one. Its also pretty funny the monster house runs amuck in the neighborhood and at the end the parents pull up and are totally oblivious to the fact that the house directly across the street has been destroyed.
Sorry just expected much better from a Zemeckis/Spielberg motion picture.
3 stars for outstanding animation, voice work (Props to Kevin James and Jon Heder), and a great musical score.
My advice is to pass on this one.
by: michaelbutts On: 2006-10-31
This animated film from Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis is by the folks who brought us THE POLAR EXPRESS. Althought it may be a little too intense for younger children, older youths and their family should enjoy it. The animation is superb, and the voice characterizations are top notch. The story revolves around a house that is alive and gobbling up the kids toys and some of the neighborhood. Three stalwart younguns decide to do battle and put their misery to end. Steve Buscemi is good as the mean old man who lives in the house and other good voices come from Kathleen Turner, Kevin James, Nick Cannon and Jon Heder. Although not really a "cartoon," this critical favorite should entertain its audience.
by: mistermaxxx On: 2006-10-30
while this film was very predictable&Ive seen far more scary films over the years, this film was done really well. the direction&creativity was very good.that House was real Creepy no doubt. Ive seen some cribs like that in real life&Ive hauled Booty real Quickly. if a House looks like Casper might be partying in there, then Im gone ASAP. the voices were good,but the film had some parts that were hit&miss. its cool to peep out during Halloween.
On: 2006-10-29
Think twice before taking your kids to see this one. In the first 10 minutes, the main character (a kid) has his neighbor die right on top of him (slumping on top of the kids body). As if this werent enough, there are then plenty of nice long shots of the dead mans eerie face smeared up against the screen, and other dramatic touches like a long close-up of his dead hand dragging on the ground, or the paramedics dragging the dead body away, uncovered. Then, when the kid seeks out his baby-sitter to talk about it (his parents being absent), she wont listen to him but is instead annoyed hes trying to talk to her, so she intentionally shows him whos "in control" by breaking a pot and blaming him for it. No one can be trusted! Save your money and go see something more worth your while.
On: 2006-10-29
The plot is unique. As it unfolds you are drawn into it more and more. The boyfriend stuff is crass and some families will be offended by it.
The producer who put that in this movie is a bit out of touch in my opinion. There is no enhancement from it and only offends people.
That scene which several reviewers complain about is a minute or so in the whole movie. On to the rest of the movie. This movie is a horror flick that is animated. So its kind of like a scary cartoon. The quality reminds me of a typical pixar movie.
There are a few lines in the movie that are very predictable. The plot has some surprises that make it fun for most kids and teens to watch.
Overall I would say it is one of the better movies we have watched recently and so Im giving it a four star. I hope you enjoy it.
by: janet_boyer On: 2006-10-28
My husband and I just finished watching the Monster House DVD and it was time well spent!
Im not going to re-hash the plot which is already printed in the Amazon Editorial Reviews. I will say, though, that the plot is fresh and the story is engrossing! However, Ill tell you some of my impressions of the movie:
1. This film is close to being PG-13. We were going to take our 8 year old son to see this movie but didnt get around to it. Im glad we didnt! We asked him if he wanted to watch it with us now that we had the DVD, but he said "No, too scary!" He must be psychic like his Mom! Seriously, though, theres some pretty adult humor in this movie, as well as a scene with a gun (a cop says Ill shoot you!). For example, DJ (the young boy who is a central character) refers to his stuffed animal as a "she". The babysitters boyfriend says "Oh yeah?"--and begins to lick the stuffed animal on the face (in an obviously sexual way). Another incident: DJs friend, Chowder, tries to impress the prep girl and pretends to say to his Dad on the phone "Oh yeah?! Kiss my hairy butt!". He hangs up, turns to DJ and asks "You gotta beer?" And the babysitters boyfriend leaves the house WITH a beer bottle, which ends up on the lawn of the Monster House (and is a central "object" for awhile). Theres also some disgusting adolescent stuff like "Skull" saying hed rather "puke in tinfoil and eat it". So while I dont mind this kind of thing, I sure dont want my 8 year old watching it! This flick should have been PG-13 for this kind of stuff alone, let alone the scariness!
2. The "camera angles" in Monster House are brilliant. We, the audience, are exposed to new ways of seeing the world--not to mention getting some colorful and amazing animation! From the bright orange autumn leaves to the babysitters goth-colored blue/black hair, to the windows glowing eyes to the eerie green glow and whirring planks of its gaping maw--this is one solid dose of eye candy!
3. The voice acting is perfect. As soon as I hear Mr. Nebbercrackers speak, I KNEW it was Steve Buscemi! Hes one of my favorite actors and is absolutely perfect for the role. From watching the Special Features, it was interesting to find out that the writer (or director?) had a wish list of actors. He was told "Youll never get them all...know one does." Guess what? All his top picks accepted the parts to be in the movie!
4. The plot is not easily guessible, in my opinion. This makes for a GREAT film. I felt like I was watching a movie that wasnt done before--which is refreshing.
The Special Features include:
*Filmmaker Commentary
*7 Featurettes including: Imaginary Heroes, Beginners Luck, The Best of Friends, Lots of Dots, Black Box Theater, Making It Real, Did You Hear That?
*Evolution of a scene: Eliza vs. Nebbercracker
*The Art of Monster House (Photo Gallery)
*DVD-ROM (I didnt access this one)
It was neat to discover that they actually placed microphones in a house that was being torn down to capture accurate sounds for the movie. It was also interesting to find out that the movie was done in motion-capture animation, with the characters acting out the story with those wired "dots" on the heads/body (think Andy Serkis playing Golem).
While I dont feel this movie is good for the younger set, its an EXCELLENT scary tale thats great for Halloween--or any time!
by: jwoehr@optonline.net On: 2006-10-28
Monster House is about a kid across the street from a scary looking house. He is obsessed with finding out why the old man inside gets so angry when people go near the house. His basketball goes flying over there one day and the old man goes to chase him away and collapses on top of him. In the old mans absense him and his friend soon realize that the house is actually alive. Its not only alive but its not a nice house house either and attempts to eat whatever goes near it. Plus with halloween coming they have to stop the house before any kids stop by there to trick or treat.
Monster House is fun and inventive but a little too intense for little kids. I mean the movie surprised me with how dark it could be. I mean the house actually does swallow up people. Plus the movie gets so wild at the end that I felt more dizzy than entertained. Still though this is one of the best looking animated films I ever seen in my life. Which means it will most likely get ignored when it comes to Oscar time. I mean if they could ignore nominating Final Fantasy or Polar Express then they could ignore nominating Monster House just as easily. When really that would be a sin.
On: 2006-10-28
I like this movie and definitly will buy it for my kids for some scary fun. BUT I am not today because as the first viewer mentioned, there are some "adult stuff" in the movie that I will not let my kids watch. The baby sitters boyfriend is terrible, he looks scary(which is fine with me) and talk/act nasty. Usually I will just tell my kids how not apporiate this character has talked/acted so at least they can learn something from it. Out of everything the boyfriend said and done, he has to lick a stuff animal? It is sick. I dont understand why they have to put this garbage into a kids movie? I have tried to keep my kids away from grown up films because of crab like this. Too bad. This should be a five stars movie.
On: 2006-10-27
To put myself in a nutshell, I am a movie grinch. I have been for quite a number of years now. What is a movie grinch? Basically, it means I hate almost every movie out there. Truth be told, I do. Seems to me almost every movie made today is either the typical family movie (i.e. fun-loving, all happy endings, cutesy, etc) or the typical horror mayhem (i.e. hot teen girls, idiotic killer, tons of gore which wouldnt even faze a horror movie fan, etc).
Simply put, I was as difficult to please are you can get and I hadnt expected much out of Monster House.
Nonetheless, when I watched the movie, I was given one of the most rewarding movie experiences in years. To summarize a long review in a few words: Monster House is an excellent movie with a fresh story, immersing characters, and wonderful animation.
To elaborate, let me start with the story. The plot of Monster House is amazingly fresh. What it boils down to is after two kids (DJ and Chowder) accidentally gave a well-known crotchety old man (Nebbercracker) of a neighborhood house a heart attack, his house comes to life in order to take over his usual habits, which consist of taking whatever comes onto his lawn. The house does an even better job too.
While it doesnt sound so good at first, truth is that I cant go into details into why it is so great without revealing much of the story but Ill say this. This movie has an explosive ending with a surprisingly good twist. Not to mention that the story is also surprisingly mature; it contains mature content and go into disturbing subjects (for example, how Nebbercracker came to be who he was).
Anyway, another thing that makes this movie extremely good was, as I said, the characters.
I have never seen an animation movie or even a regular movie in which the characters were so well thought out. Every character in the movie serves their purpose and portrays extremely realistic personalities. Moreso, every nuances they have, every eccentricities was a part of their unique personality and it really shows throughout the movie.
One may think I am exaggerating but there is literally a character in the movie which has only about 2 (maybe 3) scenes IN THE ENTIRE MOVIE, yet I felt as if I completely understood the character. I felt as if I understood the characters motives, personality, desires, and so on. All of this from only about 3 scenes!
If there is truly any flaw in the characters of the movie, I would say that Chowder is the reigning flaw. Easily enough, he is obviously around to invoke comedy but I felt he was more annoying than anything. His personality felt lacking and idiotic compared to his companions (DJ and Jenny). Seriously, the things he does in this movie are so idiotic that I had, at times, thought Bones had more brains than him. I know that hes just a kid (with seemingly low esteem) but the problem nonetheless, his character leaves much to be desired.
To conclude my review, I highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something to watch. With a creative story, highly thought out characters, and a very good plot twist, this movie will at least give you an entertaining night if nothing else.
On: 2006-10-27
I enjoyed this film a lot. The characters were great. I do think it was a little scary for little kids. Extremely trippy animation!
On: 2006-10-27
My husband rented this DVD tonight, and as my 7, 8, and 11 year old sat glued to the TV screen, they got scared of the old grumpy man that lives in the "Monster House". He is cranky, and takes toys away from any child who gets in his yard. My son, who watches Jurassic Park with no problem, got scared watching this movie, and held my hand throughout the whole movie! The graphics arent very good, with todays technology, you would think the peoples hair would move, like in computerized cartoons, like "Barbie and the Nutcracker", but it doesnt. The hair on the characters are like wax, and doesnt budge, even when the blonde little girl is zooming down the sidewalk on her trike. It reminded me of the old claymation movies with stiff hair. Anyway, if you can get past that, then it was a good kids movie. I would not recommend this movie to the lighthearted, or skiddish type of kid. It is scarey for small children. The end is happy in which the three main characters destroy the house, therefore, saving the neighborhood. I wont get into details, but this is a must see for Halloween. Kids around six might enjoy this all the way up to adulthood. Other children might get too scared, or have nightmares.
On: 2006-10-27
My kids are definitely not wimps when it comes to watching movies. Lets just say that their Dad is a big fan of the "scary" genre, and theyve enjoyed some movies that a conservative parent might suggest I be committed for letting them watch. Oh, nothing too graphic...dont worry (can you say, "Ahl be bock!").
But the first 30 minutes of Monster House are good and scary! I even had a chill or two myself. My preschooler was clutching me so tight in some parts that it left marks on my skin, and my two grade schoolers abandoned their perches to cuddle up with me. Not the type of movie that I was expecting entirely.
For whatever reason, with my kids, ghosts = scary; Arnold and aliens = awesome. None of my kids are afraid of the dark. But Monster House left them a bit tentative when it was time to turn out the lights. Showing this right before bedtime was a mistake; Im sure that their tentative disposition would have evaporated by bedtime had I shown this right after school.
But if youre looking for a good ghost story of sorts, Monster House satisfies. A semi-unique spin on the haunted house tale. Good Halloween movie.
While youll hear the voice talents of the likes of Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Turner and other popular actors, its the kids that are the stars and have the big roles in Monster House. For example, Spencer Locke voices Jenny. Spencer can be seen in her rolls on Nickelodeons Neds Declassified and the Disney Channels Phil of the Future....But next year watch for Spencer in Resident Evil: Extinction...now theres a film that Ill be able to gather the family for!
On: 2006-10-26
How many times, during the current flood of computer animated movies, have we seen films where the CG is very good and the story is very lame? Too many to count. Well heres one that is the exact opposite.
Im not a big fan of motion caputure CG. I thought the Polar Express human graphics looked like the result of a Star Trek transporter room malfunction. Monster House has made improvements but still has that "look". But the story in Monster House is so good it will keep you interested throughout the film.
Also, it may be too intense for little kids but I saw nothing worse than was in the Harry Potter films.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-10-26
It was a total waste of 91 minutes! Two thirds of the entire movie was just
the kids screaming at the house! And it was not even close to a scary movie.
The action scenes were not actiony adn they went on forever. The only person i would recomend this movie to is a 9 year old, anyone else would hate it.
by: jpski3332002 On: 2006-10-25
Monster House is literally that. Not just your typical dilapidated haunted house, 12-year old D.J.s neighbors home across the street is alive and kicking. This is only discovered when its occupant, Nebbencracker (Steve Buscemi), nearly dies during a nasty confrontation with D.J. Hes just as mean as usual, but this time he pays for it. D.J. and his best friend, Chowder, keep vigil from D.J.s bedroom window with a telescope. And no one believes them. Not their babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhal), not the police, not even the local video game meister. No one. That is until the house comes to life and starts eating people, wrapping them with its carpet tongue and swallowing them whole. The boys join forces with their babysitters nemesis, Jenny, to muster up their courage and figure out a way to free the captives, including all the neighbors toys. We find out that even Nebbencracker is in some ways haunted--by a secret in his past.
The whole adventure is unique. It uses the computer animation to good use with scary special effects and the scenic autumn views. While "Pixar" type animation has changed things considerably, the voices give some heart to the sometimes rubbery animated faces. Some of the scenes are intense enough to keep most children interested, but some discretion should be used for the very youngest. (3 1/2 *s)
by: wtdk On: 2006-10-25
What are kids to do when the house across the street eats toys, dogs and people? Why go and fight it themselves! In the highly entertaining "Monster House" our heroes DJ, Chowder and Jenny have to venture inside the house to discover its secret so they can bring it down and save the neighborhood.
Featuring top notch CGI animation (motion capture was used to make the expressions on the humans and even the house look more realistic)"Monster House" reminds me of something producer Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future", "Forrest Gump", "Death Becomes Her" and "Cast Away")who have directed when he was still doing genre films. "Monster House" has a funny script that will appeal to kids (although it might be a bit too scary for really little ones) and has a bit of the dark side that will appeal to adults as well.
The direction by Gil Kenan avoids the too cutsy trend that weve seen in some of the CGI movis that have rolled off the assembly line of Hollywood lately. Kenan directs at a fast and furious rate keeping the gags rolling and the atmosphere menancing. The DVD has some very cool features including a commentary track and seven different featurettes that detail the production of the film.
Kudos to everyone involved this is a fine, funny and scary (but not too scary)rollercoaster ride perfect for Halloween. The opening title for this review was the first thing my son said after watching it.
On: 2006-10-17
As studio execs continue to milk the cash cow that is the CG animated feature, MONSTER HOUSE is refreshing on two fronts; firstly, we see a departure from cutesy animals/toys in peril, and secondly, its good!
I would imagine that fellow kids-at-heart who grew up in the eighties with INDIANA JONES and THE GOONIES will feel right at home with D.J., Chowder, and Penny; all characters weve met and identified with before in other movies. The focus is on story and character interaction, and thankfully theres a complete lack of "Gee! Look what we can do with computer graphics!" Were not subjected to nauseating shaky-cam and rapid cuts of other recent kid flicks - this movie looks beautiful, and the animators allow you to appreciate it. Not surprisingly, the most interesting characters are Nebbercracker and The House. Theres a good story here, ultimately with unexpected warmth and heart.
Is it aimed at the right age group? Thats debatable. More sensitive kids may find it too scary. Its loud at times, theres a few in-your-face frights, and the tension builds quickly. Beyond the genre setting, there are a number of more mature themes present which parents should be aware of, notably alcohol usage and sexual themes when the babysitter and her boyfriend are on-screen. I could knock off a star for these points given the target audience, but they didnt detract from my overall enjoyment of the movie.
I highly recommend MONSTER HOUSE to animation lovers, big kids at heart, and little kids with a big kid to hide behind.
On: 2006-09-16
Monster House uses the same motion-capture technology as Zemeckis Polar Express but takes it to the next level. This time around, the whole context of the movie will appeal to a wider audience so this is a great opportunity to display the possibilities that this all digital technology offers.
Beyond the technical achievement, Monsterhouse is an excellent surprise for its family-oriented audience. Unlike Dreamworks and their Shrek-ish, below-the-belt, cynically adult-oriented features, this movie aims at both the kids and grown-ups in a way that tends to unite them around its subject, rather than addressing the two categories separately and alternatively.
To kids, this will be their first experience of an actual horror flick: the house IS seriously haunted and this is definitly no Casper-like curse. Lives are at stake here and the line between good and evil is not so strictly defined.
Some aspects of the plot have a very macabre touch, still a bittersweet feeling comes in balance towards the end.
A real implication is required from the kids, especially because a few thrills awaits them once the house has awaken.
On the parents side, besides the fact that for those like me who grew up with the Amblin productions of the eighties (The Goonies, The Gremlins and co), you are in for a great back-to-the-future nostalgic trip. Not only because the action takes place in the 80s (various hints lead to believe it)but because the whole atmosphere, the characters, the humour will either make you wish you could still be 5 to 10 years old to fully dive into this nightmarish story, or simply will make you forget youve grown older and make you actually feel like youre a kid again.
So thank you Mr Zemeckis and Mr Spielberg for producing this little gem, which, though it draws its inspiration from a classic tradition of haunted mansion archetypes, never fails to find its own identity and energy.
In a nutshell: great style and screenplay, technically impressive and very concerned about offering a satisfying show to the audience.
On: 2006-09-15
Monster House uses the same motion-capture technology as Zemeckis Polar Express but takes it to the next level. This time around, the whole context of the movie will appeal to a wider audience so this is a great opportunity to display the possibilities that this all digital technology offers.
Beyond the technical achievement, Monsterhouse is an excellent surprise for its family-oriented audience. Unlike Dreamworks and their Shrek-ish, below-the-belt, cynically adult-oriented features, this movie aims at both the kids and grown-ups in a way that tends to unite them around its subject, rather than addressing the two categories separately and alternatively.
To kids, this will be their first experience of an actual horror flick: the house IS seriously haunted and this is definitly no Casper-like curse. Lives are at stake here and the line between good and evil is not so strictly defined.
Some aspects of the plot have a very macabre touch, still a bittersweet feeling comes in balance towards the end.
A real implication is required from the kids, especially because a few thrills awaits them once the house has awaken.
On the parents side, besides the fact that for those like me who grew up with the Amblin productions of the eighties (The Goonies, The Gremlins and co), you are in for a great back-to-the-future nostalgic trip. Not only because the action takes place in the 80s (various hints lead to believe it)but because the whole atmosphere, the characters, the humour will either make you wish you could still be 5 to 10 years old to fully dive into this nightmarish story, or simply will make you forget youve grown older and make you actually feel like youre a kid again.
So thank you Mr Zemeckis and Mr Spielberg for producing this little gem, which, though it draws its inspiration from a classic tradition of haunted mansion archetypes, never fails to find its own identity and energy.
In a nutshell: great style and screenplay, technically impressive and very concerned about offering a satisfying show to the audience.
by: tvtv3 On: 2006-09-15
There are lots of horror movies about haunted houses and some propose the idea of a house (or hotel) actually being alive. However, I believe that MONSTER HOUSE is the first movie ever to give the notion of a living, breathing, house that actually tries to eat people and when provoked literally rises from the ground and starts chasing its victims down. Its a great idea and works especially well through animation. What makes it even better is that the tale is seen from the point of view of three children and scary things are always more frightening to children.
In MONSTER HOUSE, a neighborhood boy, DJ (Mitchel Musso) becomes distraught after he believes he caused the death of the old crank across the street, Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi). Mr. Nebbercracker was constantly taking kids toys and yelling at people to stay out of his yard. When DJ starts getting phone calls from Mr. Nebbercrackers house, he believes that Nebbercracker is haunting him. DJs best friend, Chowder (Sam Lerner) thinks DJ is overreacting, but after an incident next door when the house tries to eat DJ and Chowder, the friends realize that things are much worse than they imagined. Throw in a cookie-selling red-head, Jenny (Spencer Locke) that both the boys fall for into the mix and together the three children realize that on the eve of Halloween that theres going to be major problems unless they figure someway to get into the house without getting eaten and destroy its heart.
MONSTER HOUSE has some great voice talent from Maggie Gyllenhaal as a slacker babysitter to Kevin James and Nick Cannon as two police officers to Jon Heder as a videogaming pizza delivery flunky to Kathleen Turner as the house itself, Constance. The animation in the film is really well done; its extremely vivid and clear, yet not so life-like that one would assume that it is real. Unlike many other children and family animated films, MONSTER HOUSE avoids any allusion to popular culture, fart jokes, and toilet humor. Instead, the film relies upon the strength of its script which is all that it need do (though there are one or two inside winks, for example the little girl on the bicycle is humming the theme to Steven Spielbergs AMAZING STORIES, a show that Robert Zemeckis directed an episode or two of which helped launch his career).
MONSTER HOUSE is a wonderful original animated family film. Some sequences might be frightening for really young children, but everyone from 7-100 should be able to enjoy this fine picture. Im curious as to why it was released in the summer and not during the fall, because MONSTER HOUSE would have made for great counter-programming during the late September--October autumn season.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-08-27
Admittedly,the premise of the film is corny(a maneating house with plans to eat trick-or-treaters) but the story actually makes sense with in itself. We discover what gives the house its free will and dislike for children (thats all I am going to say,in fear of spoiling any surprises).The animation is startlingly crisp, vibrant and keeps viewers eyes constantly on the screen (rather than on their watch).There are some good messages about acceptance and letting go which do not feel pandering or heavyhanded,like those in so many childrens films. While not quite the magic of the early PIXAR films,this one should entertain,and may become something of a Halloween classic
SCORE:8.5/10
On: 2006-08-26
I absolutly loved this movie!!!
Ive seen it 5 times in the theater and maybe a 6th time!!
I think this movie would be great for kids and adults. I think it might be too scary for kids under 6 though.Its about a young teen (DJ) and his friend Chowder find out the house across the street is alive. Then they run into a preppy school girl named Jenny (my favorite character). They have to find out how to put outthe fire (the heart) and save the neighborhood!
This action packed movie is best seen in 3-D. But if dont have in 3-D in your town go see it anyway!!!Te story behind this movie is heartwarming< and the characters are funny! When you go see this movie you wont be disappointed!!
On: 2006-08-23
This movie is about a haunted house which kidnaps trespassers and steals toys which end up in the yard. One day, the neighbor boy across the street and his friend (the loveable, portly Chowder) decide that they are going to do something about this Monster House (after all, the responsible grownups and police officers know nothing of this).
Along the way, a neighborhood girl gets involved, and the story picks up in intensity. There are some truly humorous moments of dialogue, and toward the end of the film, you discover the mystery and the secret behind this Monster House.
The movie was mildly entertaining, and most kids will like it without getting overly frightened.
I should also say that the animation in this movie was absolutely stunning. The way things are going, you wonder if there will be a need for more actors and actresses in the future, because the animation is getting more and more realistic.
On: 2006-08-20
A gem of a film for all the family, I know, a terrible cliché but its true, Monster House is great fun and worth going to see to if you dont have any kids, go out and borrow some because adults will enjoy this too!
The plot is not rocket science, I liked it just for that alone, some kids movies are so up themselves but Monster House manages to avoid this quite nicely. We have three children, Chowder, voiced by Sam Lerner, DJ - Michael Musso and Jenny, Spencer Locke are more than shocked to discover that a house in their neighbourhood is actually a living breathing monster who has every intention of eating delicious trick-and-treaters on Halloween.
However no one believes them and it is up to them to save the day which means going into the house itself to unravel what makes a house into a monster.
A great animated film, the house is especially good with its red carpet for a tongue and windows that look just like eyes.
Am looking forward to it when it comes out on DVD, its the type of film you buy for keeps because you can watch it again and again.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-08-18
This film is awesome and probably the best animated film of the year(that and cars). They never make films like this anymore. I went into the theatre expecting some normal cartoon crude humor and maybe some loud animated action. What I came out with was a full-throttle, non-stop, action-packed, movie that still gives me the chills: but at the same time makes me laugh out loud.
A nice mix of action, comedy and horror that just may be too scary for children that arent double-digits yet.
The film also includes an all-star cast as well as mitchell musso(Oliver from disney channels hannah montanah), Spencer Locke(who guest stars in various TV shows), Jason Lee (the incredibles and My name is earl), Maggie gylanhall(world trade center and mona lisa smile), many others that i dont have time to list.
-But now theres only one last thing to say:
SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
by: michelle17 On: 2006-08-16
I have to admit, Ive since watched (as an early 20-something) the kids films I watched as a kid, and found them either really cringe-worthy, or just not as good as I remembered them. I went to see this, thinking it might be alright, since Id seen a couple of four star reviews for it.
Kids films are definitely getting better! (I also wanna see Happy Feet, I keep smiling every time I think about it!) This was aimed (maybe unintentionally?) at adults too, so I found myself enjoying it, although Ive seen a few reviews that have mentioned kids being scared at it. I didnt find it that scary, but I can see how some kids would. The only quibble is that the usual two boys, one girl stereotype features in this, as in so many other films (Harry Potter for example). Why cant we have some more girls for once? There was Zee (voiced by Maggie Gyllenhaal) of course, but she wasnt really that involved.
Theres quite a few recognisable voices in this, Steve Buscemi is the voice of Mr Nebbercracker, Kathleen Turner is the voice of his wife, Constance, and Zees boyfriend, the appropriately named Bones, is voiced by Jason Lee. And also Jon Heder, voicing the video game geek.
Thankfully, this isnt packed with injokes & references to other films (mentioning no names Shrek), although the one reference I noticed was the leaf at the beginning, nodding a head to Robert Zemeckis.
The whole story is quite good for a kids film, complete with funny moments (the cops I found hilarious, and I actually started giggling at work today - "Thats loaded!") How many kids out there have spied on their neighbours house - which doesnt involve a woman getting undressed with her curtains open? I have, I know that for a fact. Never saw anything interesting mind you.
I do think it would have been better released at Halloween, I kept a Halloween-ish feeling throughout the movie. It worked though, although I do think it would have worked better at that particular time of year.
Overall, its quite a fun movie, and I might even be persuaded to get it on DVD - Id probably watch it again.
Now whens Happy Feet Out?!
by: jtboyd On: 2006-08-13
I highly recommend the 3D version if its showing in your neighborhood. We were charged another $1.50 per person for glasses, but it was well worth the investment, and when you get home youll have your Buddy Holly costume ready to go this Halloween. haw haw
If youve seen the previews then you pretty much know the story. Pure family entertainment, and there is no "sexual innuendo" in this flick as Ive read elsewhere. The 3D effect is absolutely amazing however, so theres lots to WOW at, even though the movie starts to drag a bit at its mid point, but the finale is worth sticking around for. 4 Kites
by: Anonymous On: 2006-08-09
I loved this movie so much. Though Chowder was my favorite character but anyways. This story is about a boy who is left with a babysitter while his parents go on vacation...and across the street is a haunted house and the person who owns the house dies of a heartattack...or does he??? But I wont spoil the secret. This movie is great for people over the age of 8 or 9, because I got scared with some freaky parts. But this is a good movie I recommend this movie to all fans of Steven Spielberg and Gil Kenan.
by: zoofster On: 2006-08-09
Across the street from DJs (Musso) house is a possessed house. It has a tendence to "eat" people and things that venture on to the property. No one believes DJ, except his friends Chowder (Lerner) and Jenny (Locke). When an accident befalls Mr. Nebbercracker (Buscemi), the owner of the house, the house seems to become even more alive. The kids take it upon themselves to rid the neighborhood of the house.
"Monster House" is surprisingly good. It lacks the look of a Pixar film, but has the quality of a Pixar story. The voice talents are all top notch, with the kids being played by relative newcomers and the adults being played by voices you will recognize. The story lends itself well to computer animation, and the monster house looks great as the film progresses to its climax. The PG rating is warranted though, and smaller kids may find some images too frightening. I highly recommend "Monster House."
On: 2006-08-08
From the impressions I have gotten from others and my own viewing, this is a great movie for the fall season as long as the audience is over the age of ten. The computer animation and sound editting is almost TOO real(so real that you might question why they didnt make it live action with special effects). There are moments for all ages to enjoy(laughs heard from both kid and parent alike). But, I think if I was a young kid again watching this, I might have gone to bed with a few nightmares. If your child is not easily scared or is already desensitized(I say the average age of ten), then have no worries about the mild frights and creepy old man. There is even a moment that almost brought me to tears toward the end.
Though, I have to wonder about it being released so early. I dont want to rush the colors of the leaves or the thoughts of Halloween. But, aside from a little bad timing, a few flat secondary characters and a surprisingly short length of one and a half hours, this movie is a rollercoaster of haunts with one big plot twist. I just wish I had some candy/snacks and a good beverage along with me. You get just enough time to enjoy the variety of characters before you lose sight of them. The cops and other secondary characters are a bit typical and flat.
The house and all its quirks and secrets, on the other hand, is another story. And, just when you think you have seen it all, things take a little turn. Theres considerable grip to the film, and it surprises me that it all comes to a head in less than two hours. I think there could have been a considerable amount of extra material worked in to make this a fall classic. But, suffice to say, the main three kids are fun to watch.
There are a few moments that make this appear like a campy 80s film including the old arcade game Jon Heder is playing and the little, brainy girl getting sprayed by the chubby kids squirt gun on the front of her blouse. You could go as far as saying the only thing missing was the title being spelled out in letters of ketchup and mustard or ectoplasm.
But, overall, if you come packing snacks and a sense of adventure(if you have a crush on a little red head--or are nearing puberty--thats a plus), then you will likely enjoy this movie and want to pick it up on DVD for Halloween parties for years to come.
On: 2006-08-06
This was a nice looking film, with a clever story. The only problem I had was how scary the film was from beginning to end. I had a 7 and 8 year old with me, and they were pretty frightened for much of the movie. The voice acting is great, and the computer animation is terrific. I would just warn you not to take your child if he or she is easily frightened.
On: 2006-08-03
I took my 6 year old to this movie and not my 3 year old. Boy did I do the right thing. It wouldve been too intense for the 3 year old. I heard this movie wasnt for kids and so I paid attention and took their advice.
This movie was very well done. You must stay through the credits in order to get FULL CLOSURE of what happens. I wont spoil it, but my son asked about certain things that were left unanswered, until we sat through the credits and actually saw what happened. He fully understood the reasons why.
Thats it. Check it out.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-08-02
I wasnt expecting much from this movie but it is surprisingly entertaining. It is laugh out loud funny in parts largely because the preteens and teenagers act and talk like real kids. The movie has a real plot that makes sense in the films context and if the viewer stays for the credits all "loose ends" are satisfactorily and comically tied up. There are some good messeges and much to identify with for the thinking tweenager. My almost eleven year old loved it but I wouldnt take a real small or especially fearful child to see it as some parts actually get a little intense. It could be seen as kind of a horror movie training film. MONSTER HOUSE is clearly influenced by THE GOONIES in a couple of ways especially in regards to the character Chowder. The movie is Halloween themed and a variety of small touches reinforce this. In fact there are a lot of clever touches throughout that add enjoyment to the film.
On: 2006-08-02
I took my 6 year old to this movie and not my 3 year old. Boy did I do the right thing. It wouldve been too intense for the 3 year old. I heard this movie wasnt for kids and so I paid attention and took their advice.
This movie was very well done. You must stay through the credits in order to get FULL CLOSURE of what happens. I wont spoil it, but my son asked about certain things that were left unanswered, until we sat through the credits and actually saw what happened. He fully understood the reasons why.
Thats it. Check it out.
On: 2006-08-01
Sounds a bit overblown, but hears the breakdown;
-So many reviews tout this as "for kids" and "adults can tolerate it" and "Childish humor".
-Based on these reviews, I took my family to the theater to see "Monster House".
-Much of the story and humor went flying over my kids heads.
-When one of the characters graffically FRENCH KISSES a stuffed bunny rabbit toy, my wife and I were mortified. You see, we have a 4 and 8 year old who were not scared of the movie. But, at this point, my wife and I were.
-Said FRENCH KISSER also guzzles a BEER and GROPES the baby sitter in a DRUNKEN stupor.
-PUBERTY is a prominent theme of the story. Nothing wrong with that, but hardly a subject for young kids movies.
Why the "sexual" aspects of the film are even there, I dont know. They contributed little (or Nothing) to the plot. If taken out, the story becomes no less complete or understandable.
Now, Im sure all of this sure sounds like freeked-out "Moral Policing". However, what it actually is, is concerned parrenting. Had I been given those little details mentioned above, I may have passed on taking my kids to this film. So I write this review to fill that void which other reviewer failed to do.
Personally, I thought this was such a great film on so many levels. Excellent character development, interesting story, very cool animation. I think some of the negative reviewers here completely dont get this film.
My kids left the film happy and satisfied. They were scared at parts (theyre supposed to be) but thoroughly enjoyed it. They actually slept like babies through the night (which rarely happens when we dont see a "scary" movie).
But, to say it is targeted towards kids is not 100% true.
Hope this helps other parents out there.
UPDATE
I received the DVD as a Christmas gift and watched it with my kids (the first part of this review is from the thaeatrical release). I strategically skipped the scene with the boy friend french kissing the toy and groping the babysitter. No one noticed. this reinforced my point that it was useless character development time and contributed nothing to the story. After a second viewing Id still say this as a really good movie. My 4 year old does not like it though. Too scary. He goes and plays in his room.
Extras are good. Nice to see the voice actors and how the film was executed. Just remember, when the boyfriend picks up the stuffed bunny, hit the "skip forward" button. Then your kids can watch a good, scary movie without sexual content.
by: speeddem On: 2006-08-01
Monster House is a fun ride, filled with good one-liners, an enchanting look at kids growing up, and a return to dialogue that isnt as shallow and laugh-seeking as I expected it to be.
I think the plot was intriguing, the cast well picked, and the animation very good. Theres not a lot in this film I didnt like. I got my moneys worth with this movie.
I did not see the 3-D version yet, but I do plan on going to see it in that format.
Mitchel Musso does a great job as D.J., the star of the movie. D.J. didnt want to become a hero, but he sure does come through in the end. I liked watching his character evolve from a coming-of-age-reluctantly kid to a seriously confident teenager.
Sam Lerner plays Chowder, and he lays down this role so well that I see Oscar written all over the Hollywood Marquee! Lerner and his animated body make this movie so gosh dang user-friendly that I just cant put the fun into words. That mean you just have to see the movie. Chowder and D.J. need their own sitcom on NBC - Friday nights preferably.
Spencer Locke lends her voice to the adorable Jenny, not to be confused with the Jenny from Forrest Gump. Jenny is along for the ride she didnt ask to be a part of, but she is vital to the battle against the evil Monster House and the horror that waits inside. Her toughness and sense of security being challenged by a situation out of control add to the movies delicious aroma.
Watching Jenny try and deal with a scary situation and two boys with a crush on her at the same time is worth the price of admission. The commentary between these three is great.
Steve Buscemi nails the role of Nebbercracker perfectly because...well...because hes Steve Buscemi and he nails every role! Seriously folks, this Nebbercracker guy is one scary kite-stealing dude. At times, I just had to look away from this homeowner. He was just too ghastly!
Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the self-named Zee. Shes the babysitter, and she used to watch me when I was a kid. Im sure of it! Zee is so lifelike I almost asked what time I had to go to bed during the movie.
Jason Lee plays Bones, Zees boyfriend. Talk about creepy. This guy makes Pauly Shore seem normal and handsome. Not sure exactly what Zee sees in Bones, but whatever.
Okay, I see this review is getting kind of long. I want people to read it, not skip it, so I better cut it off here.
See this movie! It is funny, scary, intriguing, and not your typical thrown together to make some money film. It is a joy to watch!
See ya next review
On: 2006-07-31
Once I found out about this was being made I had pretty high expectations for this, It didnt quite live up to them but I found it very enjoyable. I found myself smiling more than laughing during the film, there were a couple chuckles at a couple Chowder jokes. There were a couple scenes that could be a little intense for the youngsters but overall I think kids will find this more cool than scary. Oh the cus words from the clips that showed up on MySpace were cut out, I was a little bummed out about that. A solid cast did a good job escpecially the kids and great direction from Kenan. The animation of everything was great not the just house but that was the best part of the animation and the look of the film was great to, it had a very distinct look different from the animated films that weve been seeing lately thats what makes it stand out. Im hopeing the films legs will stabilize and families will go see this instead of "The Ant Bully" which didnt to well at the box office so that should die out quickly and there doesnt seem to be to much excitment for "Barnyard" so Im crossing my fingers that "Monster House will creep towards the 100 million mark. I give it a solid B.
On: 2006-07-30
My expectations for this movie were pretty low, but compared to the other movies coming out (You, Me, and Dupree for example), this seemed to be the movie of choice.
DJ has never liked the house across the street. Its very "creepy" to him, and whats worse it the old man living inside. Everytime anything lands on the lawn, the man taks it as his own, usually after yelling at a child who touched the lawn.
DJs friend Chowder bought a new basket ball, but Chowder isnt to good. As luck would have it,the ball lands on the lawn. DJ and Chowder try to recover it, but the old man catches them and attack DJ. As he does so, he throws his back and breaks his arm, and is sent to the hospital.
Thats when Dj and Chowder, accompanied by Jenny, realize the house is alive. Thus, their exploration inside of it begins.
MY OPINION
Thats it. Thats the plot. Its pretty simple, and seems hard to drain a good movie out of it, and to tell the truth, it is.
However! The creators of Monster House made the plot effective, and actually pretty good! Its not scary, but can startle anybody, and isnt recommended for children below 6.
This movie was funny as well as frightning at sometimes, but mainly because of the 3D effects. This movie should only be seen in 3D! Its good because the movie doesnt try to ad things being thrown at you or falling on you. Its in natural harmony with the 3d.
Im sure youll enjoy the movie. Its a bit childish, but that shouldnt stop you from viewing it. If you want to watch a movie, this is your best bet! Make sure its in 3D!
The 2D digital versions are also available.
4 stars!
On: 2006-07-30
I take my kids to see most kids movies and, of course I like to watch them, too. This film extremely over-hyped and then turned out crappy. The plot was simply stupid.
It seems like the creators thought of having a "monster-type" house, but then had to fill in the rest. A fat lady from a circus side-show?!? Are they kidding?!? Kids dont even know what sideshows are anymore (which is probably a good thing). This is the best that the writers could come up with? I can imagine writers and producers actually sitting in a meeting and this was the pitch and result? Yikes! The characters were forgettable, and the plot silly. Even children deserve decent writing...fantasy or not.
Additionally, it was marketed to a young audience and my 7-year olds found it too scary. It is really a tween-age movie...but even the tweens I know are too smart and savvy to find this junk remotely entertaining...so I guess it is suitable for none. It will fall into movie obsurity..even after the likely over-hyped dvd release...dont bother with that either.
On: 2006-07-30
Monster House is a great and wonderful ride. The 3-D animation is extremely beautiful. The 3-D animation is not gimmicky like in an old Friday the 13th or Amnityville Horror film. The "3-Dness" just adds depth and beauty. Smoke curls around characters seems to come out into the audience. Ordinary items seem to come alive. Dont be mistaken however, this IS a horror movie. It has most of the essential elements: absent parents, hot babysitters, creepy old people, alcohol, ghosts,ominous dreams,and carnival freaks. We saw lots of kids and parents leaving the theater. Luckily for me, my niece seems to enjoy being a little bit scared. This is a fantastic introduction into the world of horror. Its got a great message and nothing that a watchful guardian cant explain to and discuss with children. Do not miss this in 3-D. It makes it more than just a movie. Its a truly special experience.
On: 2006-07-29
What has happened to animation? Im not a stooge about what my children see. I have a five-year-old and a seven-year-old. I do allow them to see SOME PG-13 movies. I cant BELIEVE this movie was only rated PG!!!! For example, the young main character in this film, DJ, has his stuffed bunny ripped away from him by "BONES" the boyfriend of the horrible, practically demon-like babysitter. When DJ yells, "Give her back to me, referring to the stuffed bunny, Bones says, "OH. Its a HER," and proceeds to lick the bunny all over and rip out the stuffing. My little boy looks at me and says, "Mom? Would you get me a babysitter like that?" VERY sad. Bones and the babysitter proceed to make out on the couch while drinking beer, and this is followed by lots of Amityville type horror from the house across the street. The house is possessed by a fat lady from a freak show, rescued at one time by the houses current owner. The fat lady is killed in a tragic accident involving a cement mixer--basically buried alive, which we get to witness. Basically, it was HORRIBLE. It was extremely loud and WAY to scary for young children. In short, this is complete trash. Dont waste your money. Yo Steven Spielberg--dont you have children?
On: 2006-07-28
What has happened to animation? Im not a stooge about what my children see. I have a five-year-old and a seven-year-old. I do allow them to see SOME PG-13 movies. I cant BELIEVE this movie was only rated PG!!!! For example, the young main character in this film, DJ, has his stuffed bunny ripped away from him by "BONES" the boyfriend of the horrible, practically demon-like babysitter. When DJ yells, "Give her back to me, referring to the stuffed bunny, Bones says, "OH. Its a HER," and proceeds to lick the bunny all over and rip out the stuffing. My little boy looks at me and says, "Mom? Would you get me a babysitter like that?" VERY sad. Bones and the babysitter proceed to make out on the couch while drinking beer, and this is followed by lots of Amityville type horror from the house across the street. The house is possessed by a fat lady from a freak show, rescued at one time by the houses current owner. The fat lady is killed in a tragic accident involving a cement mixer--basically buried alive, which we get to witness. Basically, it was HORRIBLE. It was extremely loud and WAY to scary for young children. In short, this is complete trash. Dont waste your money. Yo Steven Spielberg--dont you have children?
On: 2006-07-28
Theres been so much animation released this year, that its almost been hard to keep track it all. Weve gotten cartoons about monkeys, cars, and teenagers who drift in mountains in Tokyo (oh wait). Keeping track of them can be a bit of a chore, and I had no reason to be really excited about "Monster House" in any way. I mean, the story seems simple enough: Old man across the street lives in a house that is secretly haunted and READY TO EAT YOU IF YOU STEP ON THE LAWN!!!!!! Yeah, okay, that sounds pretty lame. Oh, and this movie is being made from a guy who has never made a movie before and just got out of college? Gee, this all sounds so...fun. Im sorry, but when I can sum up the storyline in one sentence, it gets hard to get into the idea behind the movie.
But I am here to tell you, I was wrong in my assumptions. Dead wrong. From the way the movies looked, this looked like a movie for little kids prying on their fears that old houses will eat you while spitting on you, or something like that. But "Monster House" not only ends up being far more complicated and deep then the previews suggest, it actually ends up being scary. The story revolves around a twelve year old boy named D.J. D.J. is growing up, his voice is starting to crack, and hes starting to notice girls. When his best friend, a boy with the strange name of Chowder, comes over to inquire about Trick or Treating on Halloween the next day, D.J. says that he doesnt intend to Trick or Treat, as that sort of thing is beginning to feel very silly to him as he gets older.
The only possibly reason D.J. would have to going Trick or Treating would be if the babysitter he was being stuck with all weekend got on his nerves to a certain extent (when we meet her, we find that she might be all the motivation he needs to go out). But while the two boys are playing basketball, their balls falls on old man Nebbercrackers lawn, who died the previous day of a heart attack. When D.J. goes to retrieve the ball, the windows become eyes, the door becomes a mouth, and the trees become hands, and the house comes alive as he attacks young D.J. in a sudden and surprising attack sequence. The boys report the house to the police and the babysitter, but no one believes their story. Well, two people do. A pizza delivery boy named Skull believes them because of things hes seen between his journeys to his comic book conventions, and a girl named Jenny (who believes them mainly because the house tries to eat her).
When the house actually attacks and manages to eat someone, the kids realize they must do what they can to destroy the house before Halloween night comes, and tons of kids are put into danger. From this point on, we get a complicated film where secrets about the house are discovered, characters feelings are dived into, and some surprisingly scary moments lurk around every corner. This is one of the few animated features to actually set a mood and aura to create suspense and fear, instead of just making things jump out of shadows, which results more in cheap jumps then actual fear. One sequence where the kids launch in a plan gone wrong in particular gets very intense, very scary, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
In fact, the whole movie does an extremely good job of balanced these terrifying, scary, excellent action sequences with these slow, somber, and intelligent scenes of dialog and character interaction. There is some humor spread out that feels like it was tacked on so that kids have something to laugh about (and I cant say they wont need these moments), but overall this is a thriller crossed with a character drama. Of course, you wouldnt know any of this is you watched the previews, but thats okay. This is what reviews are for. Reviews are also helpful because there might be a good movie that you wouldnt really know was good unless you read a good review. One of these movies if "Monster House." From the people Ive talked to, no one has really been interested in this movie.
Either the story from the previews sound lame and boring. Maybe people are having a hard time keeping track of all the animated films out there. The biggest star in this movie is Jon Hedar, and he less then fifteen lines of dialog. The biggest reason though, from what I hear, is that it sounded like a kiddie film. Trust me folks, this is NOT a kiddie film! In fact, Im going to venture to say that this film is scary enough, that I think kids under the age of ten are going to be scared by this film, as it really does become quite trippy (if you know what I mean). I also have to admit, this film gets quite sad near the end of the movie, to the point where I was on the verge of tears (of course, Im a sucker for sad stories).
In fact, if it werent for the fact that "A Scanner Darkly" came out this year, I would say that "Monster House" would have been the front runner for Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards. If "A Scanner Darkly" doesnt win though, Im sure this wonderful film will win. "Monster House" took me completely by surprise, as I wasnt expecting anything more then a simple kids movie. Instead, I got one of the most scary, action packed, emotional animated films Ive seen since 2002s "Spirited Away." Heres hoping people take the time and take a chance on this wonderful film. Just leave all kids under ten at home, because this film is scary. I cant stress that enough, if you have kids under the age of ten, LEAVE THEM AT HOME!!!!
Side Note: Some theaters are showing this movie in 3D using the Real Cinema 3D process. Having seen the movie in 3D, I can testify that the 3D adds to the whole experience, and if the option to see it in 3D is available to you, then take it.
On: 2006-07-25
Monster House tells the story of a group of friends who discover theres something more sinister about the creepy house across the street than just the man who lives there. The house, it turns out, is alive, and willing to eat anything that crosses its path. Its a simple story, with a couple neat twists, and far more heart than I was expecting. It even got me a little teary eyed towards the ending. To divulge any more, would be ruining it for others.
Unlike the motion capture in The Polar Express, which resulted in lifeless CGI versions of Tom Hanks, the directors went with a more cartoonish approach, resulting in characters that moved realistically, without looking alien. The story was done in part by Rob Schrab, creator of one of my favorite comics, Scud: The Disposable Assassin. And in the truest nature of 80s kids movies (think Monster Squad and Goonies) the movie doesnt pander to the audience, nor does it intend to, as you quickly discover when a characters death is thrown at you early in the movie. Its rated PG for a reason. Little kids under 6 will not be prepared for some honest scares, especially when amplified with the 3-D effects. It even caught me by surprise on occasion.
This was my first experience with the 3-D, since I had no intention of seeing Chicken Little. I have to say that if the technology works as well as it did with this film, I could easily see other 3-D animated films using this technology. It was never showy, purposely throwing things at the audience, and instead added a depth to the film that surprised me. It was a bit offsetting at first, but by the end of the film, I couldnt have imagined it any other way. At one point, towards the end of the film, it almost looked live action. Color me impressed.
I wasnt sure what to expect from Monster House, and having no expectations really paid off. I was impressed from the first scene. The kid behavior was captured perfectly, showing them to be both more open to the imagination than adults, and occasionally incredibly spazzy. It was endearing. The voice acting was all top notch, with the exception of Jon Heder being on screen. Whenever he talked, all I could think of was Napoleon Dynamite. But other than that, the film was spot on. Of all the animated films in 2006, Id have to see it easily takes the top spot.
Grab your child, cousin, nephew, or other movie geek friends and head out for a great little time.
by: idonthaveoneleavemealone On: 2006-07-24
Okay, those were the words my wife uttered as we walked out of the theater. Now, dont get all mad and think Im about to bash this movie, cuz Im not. I just wanted to make a point. You see, we went to this movie together...alone...no kids and I think having children with you makes a difference when watching this cartoon. Unlike Shrek or even the recent Over the Hedge, Monster House is a cartoon almost strictly for children, and if youre getting upset at the fact that Im saying this then roll over cuz its true. YES, adults can enjoy it but this film is AIMED at children and possesses a childs sense of humor. Dont get me wrong, thats actually a breath of fresh air with so many new cartoons going over childrens heads and mainly keeping a childs attention because of all the bright colors...Monster House really grabs the kids and doesnt let go.
The story follows three teenage kids (I say teenage but I think more like 12) DJ, Jenny and Chowder (guess which one is the fat kid) as they realize the house across the street is alive. They try and convince the neighborhood, starting with DJs babysiter Z (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and her boyfriend Bones (Jason Lee) and then moving onto a pair of policemen (played by Kevin James and Nick Cannon) and then the geeky pizza delivery guy named Skull (John Heder). When they get some helpfull info from Skull they decide to get inside the house and snuff it out.
The film has its funny parts, and a lot of that comes from the kids trying to put the house to sleep and stuff like that, but the majority of the film grabs you because of the brilliant imagery. We were lucky to see the film in 3-D and let me tell you now, if you have the chance to PLEASE do...its well worth it. The entire film, every leaf, every shingle, is 3-D and it all jumps off the screen. Its brilliant. Anyways, the bottom line is this...yes some have said if you dont have kids you can afford to miss this, and to a degree thats true. The humor is not like most new cartoons. Its not adult oriented and so if thats what your expected (as was my wife) then this may not really interest you. The funny scenes are really at a childs level of comprehension and so it may be too subtle for adults to appreciate UNLESS they have kids and then seeing them laugh and have fun will make the movie that much more enjoyable.
As far as the film being too scary...dont buy into it. Maybe 10-15 years ago taking a kid to see this may have been taboo, but children see much worse in comercials than they do here. There are a few jump scenes and some mildly scary moments (the owner of the house just looks creepy) but I didnt hear one child scream...they all loved it. Its done in a way that children understand its all pretend and they know everything will be alright.
On: 2006-07-23
This is a great movie. The animation is incredible. Some screens apparently show the movie in 3-D with a new type of presentation that makes it super-realistic.
Our family saw this flick tonight in a regular theater, and nothing was lost. You can really see how amazing this would be in 3-d, but 2-d was pretty spectacular.
Our four-year old spent half the movie in one (or both) of our laps, or begging us to hold her ears closed while she shut her eyes. It was pretty scary to her.
Thats why I think that older kids might get more of a kick out of this movie. The adults should like it too.
There are lots of cameos, and as mentioned the animation is stellar.
The direction is excellent too. I had a hard time believing this was a first time director. The whole movie moves along at a snappy pace. I dont think that it is much over an hour forty.
Dont get up immediately after the credits roll. They cut back several times to the story.
On: 2006-07-22
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 Ive 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 didnt 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!
by: freeforcedotcom On: 2006-07-22
I cant tell you how much involvement the creative team behind the Back to the Future trilogy (Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis) had with their new collaboration, Monster House, but something seemed to be missing.
The story follows the adventures of three kids out to battle a possessed house on Halloween. The feel of the film resembled another Spielberg vehicle, The Goonies. The main characters from both films appeared quite similar and at least one key scene was stolen directly from The Goonies script.
I was afraid that children would be too frightened by the images and content, but the kids in the sold-out audience were having a ball. Instead of shrieking in fear, they were laughing in most cases. In fact, only one person shouted out, and that was an adult.
Monster House is a great movie for little kids who are too young for horror movies, but too old for Winnie the Pooh. Theres nothing in the film that is any scarier than a Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean film. The only difference is that a parent may not be as entertained with Monster House.
I saw the 2D version of the film, but I understand that the 3D version is much more impressive and that the quality of the three dimension presentation is greater than a typical "does this look 3D to you" film.
The competition in theaters is hotter than ever. Unless you are a parent, this is one film that you can afford to miss.
On: 2006-07-21
Monster House
Rating* PG for scary images and sequences, thematic elements, some crude humor and brief language.
Release Date* July 21, 06
Spielberg does it again with another great movie, this one being a digital animation with a lot of humor. I have seen some other Spielberg movies (Jurassic Park for example) and most of them were action, but Spielberg pulls it off with a great kid (adults with enjoy too) movie about a Monster House in a neighborhood and a group of friends that live in that neighborhood try to save the neighborhood from it around Halloween.
Mr. Nebbercracker lives in the Monster House, a mean-old cook who yells at everyone if they run on his lawn or anyone who comes near the house really. Then he is taken to the hospital, D.J, the boy that lives right acrossed the street from him alone with the mean baby-sitter while this is happening.
D.Js best friend is Chowder, a chubby and funny kid. They watch the creepy house and then suspect it is a monster. Then they see a girl by the name of Jenny selling cookies and walking up the the front door of thr Monster House.
D.J and Chowder save her from being eaten by it and that is when the adventure takes off; they try to save the neighborhood from the Monster House!
A Fun and laugh-out film, this movie deserves the attention of critics. This movie is a wonderful family film and lets its charm off on the audience watching it and when they exit the theatre (this happening to me) people saying, "I really liked it." This is totally worth the watch, not being a rent from Blockbuster or your local library. This movie has amazing graphics, it being high standered. Its like your actually watching a real film with real people in it! This is highly recommended!
Hope you enjoy!
Jordan
Overall grade* A-
On: 2006-07-21
I cant tell you how much involvement the creative team behind the Back to the Future trilogy (Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis) had with their new collaboration, Monster House, but something seemed to be missing.
The story follows the adventures of three kids out to battle a possessed house on Halloween. The feel of the film resembled another Spielberg vehicle, The Goonies. The main characters from both films appeared quite similar and at least one key scene was stolen directly from The Goonies script.
I was afraid that children would be too frightened by the images and content, but the kids in the sold-out audience were having a ball. Instead of shrieking in fear, they were laughing in most cases. In fact, only one person shouted out, and that was an adult.
Monster House is a great movie for little kids who are too young for horror movies, but too old for Winnie the Pooh. Theres nothing in the film that is any scarier than a Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean film. The only difference is that a parent may not be as entertained with Monster House.
I saw the 2D version of the film, but I understand that the 3D version is much more impressive and that the quality of the three dimension presentation is greater than a typical "does this look 3D to you" film.
The competition in theaters is hotter than ever. Unless you are a parent, this is one film that you can afford to miss.
On: 2006-07-16
"Monster House" may be one of the most effective haunted house movies Ive ever seen. The fact that its a family oriented CGI film doesnt affect its credibility as an entertaining story. If anything, it made the idea even better because it didnt have to rely to adult oriented methods like sex, language, and gore to get the point across. Instead, it relies on a solid story, good characterizations, and an attention to detail. Thats a rare combination in movies these days, most of which are nothing more than remakes. It was so nice to see an original story again, especially since it involved a house that could literally morph into a living, breathing eating machine. This is but one of many examples of the films morbid yet intelligent sense of humor, a quality perfectly suited for a story with adolescent characters.
Its also an incredibly fun movie, filled with moments of comedy, suspense, and action. Of course, the breathtaking animation helps a great deal, every shot being a stylistic reinterpretation of the real world. This film relies on the motion capture technique of animation, using real actors to perform the movements of the digital characters. It was the same technique used for "The Polar Express," and in both cases, it gave the characters a distinct feel that I couldnt quite put my finger on; it was as if they were that much closer to being alive, despite their stylized physical appearances. For "Monster House," the characters reminded me of old-fashioned hand drawings that have finally been released from the mechanical prison of traditional cel animation. They looked cartoonish but felt much more organic. I can only say that watching them was a fascinating experience.
But just as fascinating was the new twist on the classic Dont Enter a Strange Place Alone fable that all children have instilled in their heads by the time they turn three. The owner of the haunted house is Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi); a seemingly mean spirited old man who goes into fits of rage whenever anyone steps on his lawn. We see this right at the beginning when a young girl accidentally gets stuck in the lawn while riding her tricycle. Nebbercracker runs out of the house and screams at the poor child, after which he breaks her tricycle and scares her off with even more screaming. The fable-like quality of that scene very obviously comes through; in real life, there always seems to be one house in the neighborhood that parents warn their children to stay away from.
I find it really interesting that parents would say such things to their children, considering a childs belief in a fantastic or strange event is almost never taken seriously. The children of "Monster House" are almost like the Baudelaire siblings of the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books: they live in a world where adults are unable and/or unwilling to believe a word they say. DJ (Mitchel Musso), his best friend, Chowder (Sam Lerner), and Jenny (Spencer Locke) cant convince anyone of anything: not their parents, not the babysitter, and certainly not the police. And when Nebbercracker collapses in a seemingly dead heap and is soon thereafter wheeled away in an ambulance, it truly does become a game of Them Vs. The Rest of the World. Thats because his absence prompts the house to come to life, distorting itself into a grotesque, splintery face whenever someone steps onto the property (the windows are the eyes, the front door is the mouth, and the porch railing make up the teeth). It uses images of wanted objects like toys as a lure, giving it ample opportunity to hungrily gobble innocent people up.
The story takes place in October, specifically the day before and the night of Halloween. From a strictly entertainment-based point of view, thats the perfect time of year for a house to come to life and for a group of children to fight against it. But it also serves the plot reasonably well: keep in mind that Halloween is the one night when large groups of children wander the streets, knock on doors, and beg for candy. Theyll be tempted to knock on Nebbercrackers door, despite not knowing that hes gone and that the house is alive. And because DJ, Chowder, and Jenny firmly believe that the spirit of a bitter old man is literally possessing the walls of his former house, they know they have to act quickly; a house with a ravenous appetite for people will almost certainly get its fill on Halloween, especially if it wants revenge against the children who pestered it for so many years.
But when the heroic trio manages to enter the house (meant to be pulled off through an elaborate conglomeration of a vacuum cleaner and bottles of cold medicine), they discover many things about Nebbercracker no one had ever known before. They have to go about it carefully, though; the house, it seems, has the ability to fall asleep, and if it wakes up, the floor will act as a throat, the carpet will act as a tongue, and the feeding frenzy will begin. Searching as discreetly as they can, they see pictures of a woman named Constance (seen in flashback and voiced by Kathleen Turner). They also discover a basement filled with toys, presumably the ones Nebbercracker had been snatching away all these years. Most importantly, they find a cage with a heart-shaped lock. All of these discoveries connect and they eventually lead to a pretty stunning revelation, one that directly relates to a sad event in the old mans past.
Its this sad event in particular that shows a much darker side to this story, a side some parents may not want their younger children to see. A couple of things about this movie are a little heavy-handed for anyone under the age of eight, including a mean boyfriend character (Jason Lee) that drinks a beer while angrily taunting Nebbercracker. But dont get the wrong impression; this is very much a family film, and its filled with child-friendly characters. These include the babysitter, Zee (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the nerdy videogame fanatic, Skull (Jon Heder), and the completely inept cops Lister (Nick Cannon) and Landers (Kevin James). They add appropriately humorous touches without taking anything away from the more serious undertones of the story. On top of everything, the film successfully mixes in important ideas about beliefs, friendship, and understanding. That was no small feat, considering the audience has to keep their attention fixed on the old, rickety, possessed house the entire time.
I wouldnt go so far as to say that the story teaches the characters a valuable lesson. This is despite the fact that most of them are continuously learning throughout the film (whether or not theyre aware of it). I will say that the sequences of events push the main characters into rethinking what they thought of as the truth. Its surprising that this method worked so well in a haunted house movie; in other films of that kind, Ive found that it can detract from the main focus of the story. Sometimes it doesnt work at all, like in the case of the "Thirteen Ghosts" remake. It was so overburdened with special effects and spooky imagery that its story was completely lost in the process. Fortunately, "Monster House" is a pure haunted house movie, made with care, precision, and style. It was an imaginative, well-crafted film, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
On: 2006-07-16
I would ordinarly never write a review for a movie I havent seen yet, but am so looking forward to this movie, that I felt compelled to submit a five star review, just to balance the unwarranted two-star attack review, so that a casual moviegoer wont see the two stars next to "Monster House," based on one review, and decide not to see it.
Ebert and Roeper both loved the movie and went so far as to say its got the Oscar for Best Animated Feature to lose.
So I feel we should at least give this one the benefit of the doubt, and, personally, Im very eager to see it this coming Friday.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-07-09
The animation just looks bad, okay! Its a step down from computer animation. Its like this movie was made in 1989 and Toy Story was made in 1995, which it was. Lets not watch it. Lets watch Cars, or maybe Open Season. That looks pretty good...
On: 2006-07-08
The animation just looks bad, okay! Its a step down from computer animation. Its like this movie was made in 1989 and Toy Story was made in 1995, which it was. Lets not watch it. Lets watch Cars, or maybe Open Season. That looks pretty good...
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