For me Hotel Transylvania was not the sort of film that could sustain a franchise, even the first film felt like it was forcing it's point, but even for those who maybe enjoy these films the series has overstayed its welcome. Now we've come to the point where the film has gone straight to streaming skipping cinemas all together, and the lead Adam Sandler has left the project to be replaced by a soundalike. At this point it feels like this series is just going through the motions.
Tartakovsky's absurdist take on monster movie tropes that ends up being just another sappy family story has always erred on the side of silliness over substance, inspirational quote over originality. But this plot, about Drac's anxiety over retiring and leaving his titular hotel to his son-in-law is even more cliche ridden than usual, and lacks even the smallest smidge of an original idea in a series that suffers greatly from this already.
It is clear they are trying to save money. Not only did they replace Sandler but many of the bigger stars barely have any lines. Their animated characters spend more time doing wordless actions so they can pay the actors less. Everything about Transformania feels like clipping coupons. Especially just recycling its saccharin family message. It thankfully falls under the 90 minute threshold, again showing its cost-cutting measures.
Hotel Transylvania has always been the sort of franchise you just go to because you've seen the previous films. It is never about having a great new story idea of this set of "characters."
Hotel Transylvania Transformania
Starring: Brian Hull, Adam Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kathryn Hahn, Jim Gaffigan, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Fran Drescher, Genndy Tartakovsky
Directors: Derek Dryman, Jennifer Kluska
Writers: Amos Vernon, Nunzio Randazzo, Genndy Tarakofsky
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