Today’s quick review: Hotel Transylvania 2. Now that Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Jonathan (Andy Samberg) are married, Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) faces a new challenge: making sure his grandson Dennis (Asher Blinkoff) grows up to be a monster just like him. But as the boy’s fifth birthday approaches with no sign of fangs, Dracula and his friends hatch a plan to awaken Dennis’ monster powers by going behind Mavis’ back.
Hotel Transylvania 2 is an animated family comedy that chronicles the next phase in Dracula’s family life. Although his grandson Dennis loves life in Transylvania, Dracula risks losing the boy to the siren call of a normal human life in California. Hotel Transylvania 2 continues in the vein of the first movie, combining monster humor with an ensemble cast and a family-oriented plot. The result is another fun but insubstantial romp.
Hotel Transylvania 2 is a natural progression of the first movie. Dracula deals with the possibility that his grandson may not be the vampire he hoped, while Mavis questions whether her family belongs in the monster world or the human world. Dracula’s attempts to reconnect with his monstrous roots give the movie another easy source of humor, and the movie’s slapstick remains light and inventive.
Still, Hotel Transylvania 2 is not quite as fresh as the original. The beats of the plot are a little more predictable, the reliance on pop culture is more overt, and the monster humor is not quite as organic. None of these issues will tarnish the movie for anyone who enjoyed the original; by and large, the sequel is a capable iteration on roughly the same formula. But critical viewers will find aspects of the sequel to nitpick.
Once again, Hotel Transylvania 2 is a solid pick for anyone looking for a light, energetic, and family-friendly comedy. The movie does not pack any real surprises, but its subject matter continues to be a sweet spot for physical humor and low-stakes family conflict alike. Check out Hotel Transylvania 2 if you enjoyed the first or just need something unabashedly light. Those looking for more substantial comedy may want to pass.
For a family animated comedy in the same vein, try Monsters vs. Aliens. For a family fantasy comedy that deals with similar themes, try Shrek 2.
[6.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2510894/). I give it a 6.5 for decent humor and a fruitful premise.