When Sony Animation’s Hotel Transylvania came out in 2012, it was a film I wasn’t very excited about. I liked the idea of Genndy Tartakovsky directing, but Adam Sandler’s career had been spotty at best over the last decade. It seemed like this was just another film for Sandler and his buddies to have a good time and get a check. But something happened while I was watching the movie that I wasn’t expecting…I realized I was really enjoying the film. Not just in a passing way either, but it in a fully embracive sort of way.
Tartakovsky and Sandler found a way to really do something special with the film, which was part Sandler comedy, mixed with a love for the classic Universal Monsters, and mix it with a film about parenting and watching your children grow up. It was just a perfect storm of comedy and fun, and ended up being one of 2012’s most surprising films for me. It also stands as one of the better family films of the last few years, because it’s made as much for adults as it is for kids, leaving a little something for everyone.
Suffice to say, I’ve been anticipating seeing the follow up for some time, and it’s one I’ve actively being looking forward to. Last year, it was announced that Mel Brooks would be joining the cast as Dracula’s father, and that was icing on the cake, as Mel Brooks is not only one of my all time favorite comedians, but he’s one of the all time greats period. It has been an incredibly long time since Brooks has been in a film, and the idea of having him here, even in a voice over role, just has me giddy with anticipation. While we don’t get a look at his character just yet, the teaser trailer for the new film sets its sites on just teasing us what’s to come, and does so in a delightful way, and reacquainting us with the characters of the first film.
The teaser definitely hits all the right marks for me, and it’ll be great to see how Dracula seems to handle being a grandfather, while dealing with his own father issues. I’m curious to see how his grandson turns out as well, since we now know he’s in fact a half breed, and not full Vampire. As funny as it is to think I’m wondering about these things, it’s hard not to because the first film really was endlessly charming and fun, and I’m just really looking forward to hanging out with these characters again under Tartakovsky’s watchful eye.
Hotel Transylvania 2 stars Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, Keegan-Michael Key, and Mel Brooks. The film opens on September 25, 2015