Monster House (2006)

 Great sppoky movie
This is a fun, spooky movie for kids but us adults enjoyed it too. The effects are really neat, the things the house does. I found some good humor in it as well. I may not watch it 10 times, but most kids will. May 1, 2008

 Great Prices!
Good product, great prices, speedy delivery. I'm completely satisfied as is my son who loves his DVD. March 27, 2008

 RUN! It's A Giant, Man Eating House!
This movie is hilarious! The idea for this animated/horror/comedy/kids kick butt film was good, and then it's execution makes it a knockout. First of all, the way the boys act around the girl is SO FUNNY! ("DJ! You pee in bottles?!?")

I was laughing throughout the whole movie, from the beginning to the end, when they enter the house with a large arsenal of...water guns.

We need more movies like this!


Four and a half stars! March 12, 2008

 that which restored my faith in animated films
when before there used to be just disney films, recent technological developments gave the opportunity for animated movie producers to release several animated films in a year that you almost cannot keep track anymore. some of them, sadly, became mere exercises in digital graphics, mostly marketing the film through the famous hollywood actors who record the characters' voices. i've stopped looking forward to new animated flicks of late, including monster house that i passed up when it was shown in theaters.

but unlike other animated films (mostly with talking animals) that even failed to capture my attention when shown on the small screen, monster house was unlike anything i've seen before.

the plot is typical - three prepubescent youngsters try to "kill" an evil house from eating halloween trick-or-treaters. but the typical ends there. the movie is filled with witty dialog and three-dimensional characters in a setting that has both its light and dark moments. there are no cookie-cutter characters here - well, maybe the protagonists were cut off from the same mold as your average middle class suburban kids, but they were portrayed so naturally as far as movie tweeners go, bringing in an added sprinkling of spice in them. the frontline bad guy nebbercracker was the typical grumpy recluse who drives away kids from his front lawn, but later in the film reveals a rich story that centers on the plot.

everyone else in between was there to bring in the token comic relief - the goth babysitter, her rocker boyfriend, the video game dork, the police officers - all in a naturally amusing manner that was never contrived.

i was aghast learning from imdb.com that ours is the only country where this movie had a G rating. for instance, there was a minor scene where rocker boyfriend attempted to make out with babysitter on the sofa. and while the main characters seemed generally well-adjusted, the story behind the house seemed too dark for young kids. the house looked really scary, for one. even scarier than the creatures in jumanji, which had a PG rating. the film also explores adult issues, complicated grey areas like what to do if your loved one became an evil vengeful spirit, or moral questions such as "does this movie unintentionally portray obese people as evil/scary?" that can get ingrained on impressionable minds. while the themes of unconditional love, devotion and letting go can be for all ages, it was shown so poignantly in the movie with adult sensibilities.

well, i don't know. i watched this movie as an adult and enjoyed it very much. it lacked the air of happy-ever-after that most children's flicks are known for, but at least for the kids, the movie ended up happily. that is, for the neighborhood, not exactly for nebbercracker who, though seemingly happy himself for his newfound freedom, would naturally have to deal with his grief and maybe regret not being able to live his life for 40 years (plus, where would he live now?). to balance off these complications, the last part where all the toys were returned and all the people who were eaten up managed to climb out of the pit was a nice touch. definitely for the young ones' benefit.

memorable quote from the supporting character skull (the videogame enthusiast), attempting to impart some words of wisdom:
"In my travels to video game and comic book conventions, I've seen many strange and wondrous things". March 9, 2008

 An animated Goonies-like adventure
I had never heard of this movie and just happened to stumble across it as I was channel surfing. I am so glad I stopped to watch because I found it thoroughly entertaining. It is very much reminiscent of the Goonies. If you liked that movie, you'll love this one too.

It was fun too watch the kids being kids. So much of today's portrayal of youth removes the innocence of their imagination, their wide-eyed curiosity, and delight in being young. This movie puts it all back in.

Monster House is definitely a keeper, one I will enjoy watching time and again. When I want to be transported from the crudeness of life to an age of innocences often forgotten in today's society, I'll pop it in and push play.

And by the way, Monster House is not meant to be viewed by little kids, hence the "PG" rating. The ratings are put there for a reason. So responsible adults can wisely select appropriate movies for their children. Just because a movie is animated doesn't mean it's appropriate for children, especially young children. Seen any "R" rated animated movies lately? I have. So ignore the ratings if you want to, but don't complain and blame the movie when you have to deal with your children's nightmares that may result. January 10, 2008

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