Took the nephew to the cinema on saturday afternoon with one goal….to see Monster House. I have been to see a few films recentlly and none have caused such a ridiculous, excited, anticipation than this one. I did have my reservations due to total deluge of CGI movies out over the past few months and the fact that the majority of them suck very badly, but when I read that Amblin Entertainment were co producing it, it had to be a winner! Clearly I was acting more hyperactively than the seven year old little dude accompanying me.
Anyways, despite the millions of kids and constant commercials for the game version of the film and future CGI presentations along the same lines (although Robin Williams ‘Happy Feet’ did look quite cute) I had a whale of an afternoon! My one question was, where did all the 2D movies go? Bring them back!! I dare ya’! I’m such a sucker for old school animation!
So, a little bit of the plotline, a young boy of 12, DJ (Michael Musso) suspects that his neighbour across the street, the crabbit Mr. Nebbercracker (James Buscemi), is caught up in sinister goings on within his creepy old house. DJ records Nebbercrackers movements from his bedroom along with his plump budd Chowder (Sam Lerner). Of course when they observe that all is not well, DJ’s babysitter ‘Z’, (Maggie Gyllenhaal) doesn’t believe them….and mocks poor DJ. However, it isn’t until DJ has a little tussle with Nebbercracker that things really start going bump in the night, as Nebbercracker is carted off to hospital and DJ thinks he’s a murderer!!!! EEk! EEp!!! Ack!!!!
Well, Monster House is a fantastic ride of thrills, spills, plenty o’ chills. The nephew was utterly glued to the screen and so was I! The CGI is just mindboggling, although I do like the touch that all the characters have plastercene hair, not real hair, which still kept it cartoonish despite the state of the art animation, and, of course the acting is excellent. The voices have been very well chosen. There is lots in it folks…..humour for the young and the old alike, with a semi satisfying plot line and ending…..lots of zany characters come along for the ride and when you finally get inside the house….WOWZA! It is wonderful…if very short lived. The ending is a total rollercoaster and in general, you barely stop for breath at any time during the entire movie….Fantastic!
4 outta 5 people!!! If you fancy having a wee swatch at the Official Site than do so right here at www.sonypictures.net/movies/monsterhouse