Hotel Transylvania 2: A Monster-Sized Dose of Humor
While the plot of “Hotel Transylvania 2” might resonate more with adults than children, the film’s abundant and universal humor ensures a delightful experience for all.
The story picks up shortly after Mavis and Jonathan tie the knot and welcome their son, Dennis, into the world. Dracula dotes on his grandson but harbors a secret worry: Dennis hasn’t sprouted his vampire fangs. As Dennis’s fifth birthday approaches, those around him begin to suspect he might be human, not a vampire. Dracula, unwilling to accept this, embarks on a mission to awaken Dennis’s inner vampire. Meanwhile, Mavis and Jonathan visit Jonathan’s family in America, leading Mavis to consider moving Dennis to California, where he’d be among “his own kind” – humans, not monsters.
.jpg “A scene from Hotel Transylvania 2”)
The film grossed $48.5 million in its opening weekend in the US, setting a record for September releases.
The Challenges of Continuing a Love Story
Any long-running narrative centered on a couple faces a hurdle once the characters get married. Where do you go from there? Focus on them raising children? Depending on the genre, this isn’t always fitting, especially in series aimed at children or teens. Falling in love is a universal theme, and most people understand the importance of finding someone to share a “happily ever after.” However, raising children, caring for them, and worrying about their milestones is a topic more relatable to older audiences, who might not be the primary target demographic.
.jpg “A scene from Hotel Transylvania 2”)
In the American version, werewolf pup Winnie is voiced by Sadie Sandler, Adam Sandler’s eldest daughter.
It’s no surprise that many series skip ahead to a time when the characters’ children are old enough to become independent characters. J.K. Rowling could have written volumes about raising the Potter and Weasley children, but the “Harry Potter” epilogue shows the characters at a train station, sending their teenage children off to Hogwarts. This “circle completed” was more appealing to fans than magical diaper changes.
.jpg “A scene from Hotel Transylvania 2”)
A Story for Adults?
“Hotel Transylvania 2” takes a similar approach but doesn’t jump far enough ahead. At five years old, Dennis is still more of an “object” than a “subject” of the action. He only becomes a fully-fledged, independent character in the sequel’s final scenes. Until then, the story focuses on the anxieties of his grandfather and mother (Jonathan isn’t one to overthink things). Adults will understand these concerns, but they might not resonate with children, unlike the first film’s exploration of the line between caring for a child and being overprotective.
.jpg “A scene from Hotel Transylvania 2”)
While the first film pitted parent against child, the sequel pits two parenting philosophies against each other, with the child unable to voice his opinion because he doesn’t fully understand the conflict. Is this really a plot for a family audience? It’s understandable why this resonates with director Genndy Tartakovsky or Adam Sandler, but young children are unlikely to be thrilled by a movie about a grandfather worried his grandson might not be like him or a mother who loves her son unconditionally.
.jpg “A scene from Hotel Transylvania 2”)
Humor to the Rescue
The script also suffers from introducing a villain so late in the game. While introducing a villain in the second act can work, doing so in the final act is a rookie mistake. On the other hand, the energetic and intense ending adds a blockbuster feel to a film that was mostly dialogue-driven until the final scenes.
Fortunately, the film’s flaws are outweighed by its humor. While the first film had a decent plot, its jokes felt forced. “Hotel Transylvania 2,” however, is consistently hilarious, thanks to both the writers and the translators who successfully localized the American humor. With inventive visual gags, funny jokes, and well-placed parodies and quotes, “Hotel Transylvania 2” is worth seeing for the humor alone. There are so many jokes that the plot’s oddities can be overlooked. Young children will be satisfied with the humor, and accompanying adults will find Mavis and Dracula’s concerns relatable. Perhaps that’s what the filmmakers were aiming for.