One thing we can never seem to get enough of is another computer-animated family film to take the kids to. Sony Screen Gems will continue to pump the features out through 2012. Some of the movies look like fun while others seem as if they were made to give parents a way to catch a quick hour and a half nap in a darkened theater somewhere. One movie that looks like it could be entertaining is “Hotel Transylvania 3D.”
This quirky looking film revolves around an upscale resort tucked away far from the human world and run by everyone’s favorite vampire, Count Dracula. After a young boy named Simon Van Helsing stumbles upon the bizarre vacation getaway, he finds himself infatuated with Dracula’s teenage daughter. The Count doesn’t take well to this and begins to reveal his overprotective side.
“Hotel Transylvania” could go one of two ways. It could be a charming little animated feature like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Monster House,” or self-destruct in the same manner as “Igor.” With the team of filmmakers involved in the project, I can’t imagine this will be a dud. The concept animation released so far shows the run-of-the-mill work we’ve come to expect from movies like “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Planet 51.”
Genndy Tartakovsky is directing the movie. He’s had a very successful career in animated TV shows. In addition to helming the original “Star Wars: Clone Wars” shorts, he worked on such popular programs as “Samurai Jack,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” and “Dexter’s Laboratory.” Tartakovsky was also a storyboard artist on “Iron Man 2.”
David I. Stern wrote the story for “Hotel Transylvania 3D.” He penned the direct-to-DVD sequels “Open Season 2″ and “Open Season 3.” “Hotel Transylvania” was adapted into a screenplay by Dan and Kevin Hageman. They write for the TV series “Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu.”
The cast is made up of a whole lot of “Saturday Night Live” folks from over the years. They include Adam Sandler, David Spade, Andy Samberg, and Molly Shannon. Non-“SNL” alum in the film include Miley Cyrus, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, David Koechner, Cee-Lo, and Luenell. Sandler voices Dracula and Cyrus portrays his daughter, Dracula Mavis.
“Hotel Transylvania 3D” is set to be released on September 21, 2012. It hasn’t been given an MPAA rating yet. Columbia Pictures is distributing the movie.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
How ‘Superman: The Movie’ Launched the Superhero Genre
December 22: ‘The Mummy’ Rises From His Tomb for the First Time
December 20: ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ 1978 Remake Unleashed
Eric Shirey is the founder and former editor of Rondo Award nominated movie news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other entertainment websites. Eric has interviewed and worked with actors like Harrison Ford, Brooke Shields, Gerard Butler, Brendan Fraser, Selena Gomez, and many more.
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