Monster High: Welcome to Monster High Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High Blu-ray Movie Review

New look, same ideas.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 28, 2016

Monster High gets a makeover in Welcome to Monster High, a film that traces the origins of the titular school and rewrites a little bit of history that was established in previous films. It's also been redesigned, at least on the digital front, scrapping the series' dull, flat, and unattractive animation for shinier, brighter, more stable imagery that's more in-line with contemporary animation construction. The movie isn't half bad for the franchise. It recycles the same tired themes but it's at least different not so much in tone or pace but certainly execution, feeling a little more vibrant and accepting of all audiences rather than the pigeonholed established viewership of the older films. It probably won't make any new converts, but considering the origins story and the reworked construction of the overall look, this is definitely the Monster High film to watch for anyone who has been curious about what the franchise is all about.

Monster High.

Draculaura (voiced by Debi Derryberry), still at the ripe young age of 1400 years, longs to escape the concealed confines of life with her father in their castle. One day, while she's out with him trying to learn to transform into, and fly as, a bat, she's spotted by another monster, Frankie (voiced by Cassandra Morris), who comes knocking on her door. The two become instant friends, and as part of their plan to live more of a "normal" life, decide that they're going to start up their own school: Monster High. They recruit many more monsters to attend, including Lagoona (voiced by Larissa Gallagher), Clawdine, and Cleo (both voiced by Salli Saffioti). The school is a big success, but when Draculaura and Frankie are challenged for student council by Moanica (voiced by Cristina Milizia), things get just a little more interesting in the hallowed halls of the world's most famous institute of monster studies.

It seems only fitting that a semi-reboot begin back at the beginning. Even if it doesn't jive with established canon, the fresh start offers an opportunity for character reintroductions that flow into the development of the Monster High school itself. "By students, for students" is the order of the day in the film, with charter members Draculaura and Frankie leading the way. The film certainly doesn't work in all of the many characters that have appeared before, but it squeezes in plenty of familiar faces that should keep fans happy as they learn the new origins story of both the school and, to a lesser extent beyond Draculaura, where they come from. Beyond that, the movie doesn't set itself apart with any kind of dynamic storytelling or character evolution. It's a simple affair all told but a welcome change of pace for a fatiguing franchise.

What hasn't changed is the thematic content. Monster High has always been about championing individuality. It fits the mishmash of characters very well and has always spoken on diversity and acceptance but staying true to oneself in a crowded field of different looks and viewpoints. That holds true in Welcome to Monster High. A song laps through the main menu with the following refrain: every one of us is different so be who you are! The franchise's overreaching theme doesn't get much more to the point than that. The movie talks about everyone's "normal" being different, too, another big flashing neon sign that says that even if the show looks different and part of its history is being rewritten, it's still the same old Monster High at heart. Other than that, there's not much here. A few interesting narrative twists pop up throughout, and the characters fundamentally look about the same even with the new coat of paint. Fans will probably like it...it's more or less just a reboot...but regardless of their opinions on the movie, here's hoping everyone at least likes the look. Please, no more of that gauzy, smeary look from before. Thanks.

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As mentioned above, Welcome to Monster High is the beneficiary of a stylistic facelift -- a much-needed one at that -- that translates well to Blu-ray. Though the image suffers through a bit of aliasing, it's otherwise fairly strong (and the kids probably won't care about the aliasing, either). Colors are nice and vibrant, as expected, particularly contrasted against many of the film's darker backdrops. Pinks and purples may not be quite so prominent as they are in the typical Barbie film, but they still appear nice and punchy and, for the most part, the dominant hues in the film. Detail is crisp and sharp, the image very clear, and the Blu-ray more than capable of squeezing out the finer points of the digital animation, particularly on clothes, accessories, and little character traits that make the figures unique. All in all, a pleasing presentation from Universal and a very, very welcome visual change-of-pace from the series' previous style.

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Welcome to Monster High's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack satisfies all-around. Nothing about the track is prolific or memorable, but it handles the somewhat diverse content effectively. Music is enjoyable, with the punchy Pop-Rock notes blazing into the stage with positive spacing, good clarity, and a solid low end support. Atmospheric din helps set the stage in some of the more densely packed locations at Monster High, like the cafeteria. A few action effects clatter and clunk effectively. A ringing school alarm bell is probably the best effect in the movie, and even without the benefit of Atmos/DTS:X support, has a natural overhead sensation as it filters through the listening area. Dialogue is clear, center placed, and well prioritized for the duration.

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All that's included is 'Ever After High' Special: Dragon Games - 'Shatter the Mirror' (1080p, Dolby Digital 2.0, 23:24) and previews for several Monster High films: Great Scarrier Reef, Boo York, Boo York, Scaris: City of Frights, Haunted, Freaky Fusion, and Frights, Camera, Action!. No content directly related to this movie, then, is included, reflected in the "zero" supplemental rating. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Welcome to Monster High sets the series in a new visual direction, rewrites some origin history, and maintains the same character roster and same fundamental thematic building blocks about individuality, acceptance, and being oneself. The new visuals are a real treat, and they inject a legitimate sense of vitality into the series that was absolutely missing in previous entries. Fans should find this agreeable. Here's hoping that the filmmakers keep up this visual style in the future. Universal's Blu-ray release of Welcome to Monster High delivers good video and audio. No supplements directly related to the film are included, but a 20-some-minute Ever After High show is included. Recommended to series fans, and newcomers should definitely start here.