Family Movie Night

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Animated Movie Synopsis:

This animated movie tells the fictional history of Count Dracula or “Drac” (voice of Adam Sandler), and the Hotel Transylvania, which he developed after the tragic death of his wife Martha (Jackie Sandler).  For years, this hotel has been a holiday retreat for monsters and ghouls of all kinds, safe from the threat of contact with humans.  Humans, they believe, wish to dominate and destroy all other forms of life.  

However, the hotel’s sense of peace is compromised when Jonathon, a human backpacker (Andy Samburg) stumbles across the old mansion.  Drac, who is initially afraid of this young man soon realizes that Jonathon’s happy-go-lucky nature contradicts the stereotypes he has held about humans.  Worse still, Drac realizes that if his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez) meets Jonathon, she will also learn that humans can be gentle and fun-loving, rather than merciless killers.  He fears that with this knowledge, Mavis will want to leave him and explore the world.

Unfortunately, Drac’s plans to silently send Jonathon away are thwarted when hundreds of guests begin arriving for Mavis’s 118th birthday.  Some of these guests include Aunty Eunice (Fran Drescher) and her partner Frankenstein (Kevin James), Quasimodo (Jon Lovitz), the Invisible Man (David Spade), and werewolf couple Wayne (Steve Buscemi) and Wanda (Molly Shannon).  In an effort to hide the presence of a human, Drac uses make-up to disguise Jonathon as a Frankenstein-like monster.  Initially, this subterfuge works well, and Jonathon builds friendships with many of the guests.  Ultimately, however, the ruse is uncovered, and Drac is forced to suffer the consequences of his deceptions. (Click Here for Synopsis Source)

 Topics to Explore through the Film:

• Varying Perspectives: Discuss how perspectives towards events or characters can vary from person-to-person, group-to-group, etc.  For example, most humans view monsters as being scary & devious yet in this movie, it is the humans that are viewed as being scary & devious. Discuss an event or situation that your family experienced that may be described using different perspectives.  For example, consider a birthday party, the first day of school, bringing home a new pet, etc.  
• Make Connections: Discuss how the relationship between Drac & Mavis is a 'typical' parent-child relationship with characteristics that are embraced by both Drac & Mavis as well as aspects that are favored by Drac but not Mavis or favored by Mavis but not Drac.  Despite the differences, there is still a bond & love between them.  Compare & contrast your familial relationships with that of Mavis & Drac.  Compare how they are the same and contrast how they are different.  Then, discuss how each perspective towards the relationship varies.
• Discuss the Power of Media: Discuss how media can impact perception.  Before the movie, discuss what your child knows about Dracula or vampires.  How did you & your child learn about vampires or Dracula? Explore what it might be like to encounter Dracula or a vampire.  After the movie, discuss which characters from the movie your child would like to meet.  Discuss why your child has that idea.  Discuss how your child's and your views of Dracula or vampires may be different from before watching the movie and after the movie.  How are they the same? How are they different? Why are they different?  

Information for Parents:

Parents need to know that Hotel Transylvania is a good introductory "monster movie" for little kids. The monsters are tame, and the story focuses on Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) and his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez), as she comes of age (118!). Mavis is respectful to her father, even though she longs for freedom. She shows curiosity and empathy toward humans, her dad, and other monsters. Potentially frightening elements include Dracula's "angry face," which he flashes when he can't control his rage (it lasts only a few seconds, but it's a bit demonic) and a mob scene that puts a central character in danger. There's also a backstory that involves humans killing the main character's mother, but it's handled delicately. Expect toilet and gross-out humor, such as a character passing wind that comes out as a green gas, people eating cakes made of worms, and a fly vomiting green slime onto its hands. Language includes "heck," "God" (as an exclamation), insults like "stupid" and "shut up," and swearing stand-ins such as "holy rabies." There's innuendo, flirting, and a quick kiss between a 118-year-old vampire and a 21-year-old guy.

Before the Movie, parents are encouraged to view the following:

• IMDb Parents Guide to Hotel Transylvania (Youtube)
• IMDb Parents Guide (Webpage)
• Kids-In-Mind Parents' Guide & Review (Webpage) 

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