The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Features  |  Reviews
Best2012Vote-1000x50

Monster House

No monster hit
By BROOKE HOLGERSON  |  February 20, 2007
1.5 1.5 Stars

Shot using the same motion-capture technique that made The Polar Express such a creepy Christmas story, Gil Kenan’s Monster House only partly avoids the visual problems of its predecessor. The faces of the three child leads remain weirdly inexpressive, like pieces of molded plastic, but it’s the story that will likely freak out the little kids. Left with an inattentive babysitter for the weekend, DJ, his best friend, and the bossy girl they both like investigate the creepy house across the street. Kenan takes traditional haunting to the next level by making it the house itself (voiced by Kathleen Turner) that’s possessed, and here the animation works, perhaps too well: some scenes may be too scary for the younger viewers who drag their parents out to the theater. The house rants and rages, but the characters are boring, even when their lives are at risk. When a film’s house is its most compelling character, you shouldn’t expect a monster hit.
Related: Apocalypse now and then, Autumn peeves, Not about heroes, More more >
  Topics: Reviews , Kathleen Turner, Gil Kenan
| More

 Friends' Activity   Popular   Most Viewed 
[ 02/14 ]   The Addams Family  @ Shubert Theatre
[ 02/14 ]   "Aphrodite and the Gods of Love"  @ Museum of Fine Arts
[ 02/14 ]   "Processes and Dreams"  @ Panopticon Gallery
More Information
ARTICLES BY BROOKE HOLGERSON
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   REVIEW: PAUL BLART: MALL COP  |  January 20, 2009
    If you find the sight of a grown man rolling around the mall on a Segway hilarious, this is the movie for you.
  •   TYLER PERRY’S THE FAMILY THAT PREYS  |  September 17, 2008
    The prolific Tyler Perry is at it again, offering subpar entertainment to audiences so starved for sustenance they’ll eat his cheese.
  •   THE ROCKER  |  August 20, 2008
    Rainn Wilson of The Office gets promoted to the big screen with this anemic comedy directed by The Full Monty helmer Peter Cattaneo.
  •   KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL  |  July 01, 2008
    Although her film has as much visual flair as an after-school special, director Patricia Rozema gives an appealing attention to period detail, and Breslin is sweet in her first starring role.
  •   REPRISE  |  May 21, 2008
    Trier captures the moment when the recklessness of youth gives way to adult responsibilities, and the way childhood friendships can fall apart when different paths are taken.

 See all articles by: BROOKE HOLGERSON

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed