6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
When the old-old-old-fashioned vampire Vlad arrives at the hotel for an impromptu family get-together, Hotel Transylvania is in for a collision of supernatural old-school and modern day cool.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gómez, Steve Buscemi, Andy Samberg, Kevin JamesFamily | 100% |
Animation | 85% |
Comedy | 74% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Hotel Transylvania 2 isn't all that thematically different from any old Monster High film in which "acceptance" and "being oneself" are the key themes. But it's worlds away superior in every other way. Never mind that Sony's big production leaves Monster High in the dust in terms of visual and aural prowess, it's also home to vastly superior storytelling, far better developed and relatable characters, less cringe-worthy monster puns, and significantly more watchability, all in a span of two films, not the endless streams of stuff that flow from the Monster High universe. HT2 delights in every facet. It's breezy, cute, colorful, and funny. While it may lack some of the more enticingly original notes of its predecessor, it does well to build on established characters and lore (both introduced in its own world and borrowed from other sources) to make an entertaining return visit to the world's most diversely populated hotel.
It's the birthday, er, boy? vampire?
Hotel Transylvania 2's 2D-only presentation (also included with 3D purchase) is a stunner. All of those qualities carry over here. Colors are endlessly lively and expertly defined. Details are aggressively textured and plentiful. Image clarity is superb, black levels perfect, and interference from issues like banding and aliasing nonexistent. The bad news is that the 3D elements are just sort of meh. The transfer produces average depth, nothing special. The hotel exteriors, such as round turrets, showcase a decent sense of shape and distance from other large walls. Inside, the sprawling lobby extends nicely in every direction, but more intimate areas, like bedrooms, aren't afforded quite the same wide-open luxury. Character shape is fair but not overwhelming. There's not a substantial improvement in facial or body volume between the 2D and 3D elements. A few nice little touches are included; Dracula sticks his hand towards the audience around the six-minute mark to good effect, and a plane taxis towards the viewer around the 30:00 mark, feeling like it's about to roll right through the screen. Otherwise, there's not a lot of legitimate separation or sense of breathless spacing. The 3D transfer isn't awful, but it doesn't make for a substantially more entertaining or visually robust experience over standard 2D.
Hotel Transylvania 2 features a festive, full, and fit DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. There's no shortage of entertaining sound effects and corresponding delivery that's spacious, detailed, and bass-friendly. Monsters slither and scurry all over, maneuvering from one speaker to another with impressive ease and consistency. Thunder cracks with piercing sharp definition. Crashes and other heavy effects present with a detailed low end that's as prodigious as it is tight. Music enjoys superior definition, whether playful score or sugary Pop beats. Spacing is effortless and wide, filling the entire stage with musical goodness. Clarity delights throughout the entire range, including, again, potent bass lines that yield a healthy bit of weight and oomph to the proceedings. Dialogue delivery is naturally clear and center focused. Every verbal nuance is clearly defined, all the way from Asher Blinkoff to Mel Brooks.
Hotel Transylvania 2 contains all of its supplements on the included 2D disc. The two commentary tracks carry over to the 3D version, but
otherwise all that's included, unique to 3D, are previews for Goosebumps and The Angry Birds Movie. A
DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV digital copy code are included with purchase.
While Hotel Transylvania may not be the first movie or franchise people think of when considering the modern digitally animated cinema landscape, they're a couple of really solid movies that manage to put together a detailed world full of likable characters worked into engaging yet simple stories. Hotel Transylvania 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel, it just makes it smoother and, compared to other, similar ventures, far less cringe-worthy. It's fun, colorful, and addictive. It's breezy, humorous, and suitable for audiences of all ages. Sony's Blu-ray 3D transfer is neither help nor harm; it's a fairly routine presentation. Audio is a standout and supplements are plentiful. The 2D-only release represents a better value.
2015
Lunchbox Gift Set
2015
2015
with oversized glow-in-the-dark stickers
2015
2015
Hotel Transylvania 3 Movie Cash
2015
2012
Monster Party Edition
2018
2015
2017
2016
2016
2013
2014
2012
2011
2022
2-Disc Edition
2008
2017
2011
2009
2009
2016
2011
2017
Shaun the Sheep: The Movie
2015