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Hotel Transylvania: Transformania – Trust and Transformations

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Every Hotel has to close its doors eventually… but hopefully, it gets to do so when the time feels right.

In its fourth film, Hotel Transylvania: Transylvania comes at a time when Drac (Brian Hull, formerly Adam Sandler) is considering stepping away from the hotel game so he can spend more time with his new wife, Ericka (Kathryn Hahn). When word gets to Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Johnny (Andy Samberg), Johnny is thrilled! But Drac still has his concerns about letting Johnny have free reign over his beloved resort and convinces him that only monsters can run it. Determined to win Drac over, Johnny uses Van Helsing’s ‘Monsterfication Ray’ to correct that problem. However, after the ray goes haywire, Drac and his friends get to see what the world looks like through human eyes as they try to find a cure before it’s too late.

Directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Dryman, the wild and silly Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is meant to be the final film in the franchise. Written by series creator Genndy Tartakovsky, the script feels like a worthy addition to the series’ legacy as it continues the character development from the previous films. Led by Tartakovsky’s unique voice, the story still offers the same frenetic energy that families expect from the franchise. Returning stars Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez (now with a producer credit), Fran Drescher and David Spade seem as enthusiastic about the series as ever. (In fact, Spade’s role is drastically increased this time around.)

Even so, something feels… off about this Transformania. 

Vibrant animation still pops with colour but somehow doesn’t entirely capture the magic of other entries. The most significant change, however, stems from its cast which has seen significant turnover this time around. Although several of the original cast remain, gone are franchise stalwarts Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and CeeLo Green. While their replacements do an entertaining job of mimicking their original cast members, the mix of old and new cast members is noticeable. (This is especially true in the case of Sandler who has remained the franchise’s focus throughout the previous films.) As a result of these changes, the film feels more like a transition away from its stars as opposed to any sort of wrap-up for the series. (In fact, for a film that’s supposed to be final chapter, the film’s ending doesn’t feel like they’re closing the book on the franchise at all.)

Although the franchise has always leaned heavily into the theme of ‘looking beyond appearances’, Transformania’s body-swap storyline manages to take it to the next level. As Johnny and Drac learn what it is to live in the other person’s [literal] shoes, so too do they also begin to understand the difficulties of each other’s experiences. While Johnny relishes the power of being a monster, so too does it almost drive him to madness. At the same time, Drac’s experience as a middle-aged man is a pain-inducing (and entirely relatable) nightmare but it also helps him to see the world from Johnny’s perspective. As the two men live with the strengths and weaknesses of the other, a deeper bond eventually emerges between them.

Because at the heart of this Transformania is trust. 

For example, in Transformania, trust stems from one’s ability to see their value. Prior to the switcheroo, although Drac has grown fond of Johnny over the years, he still cannot bring himself to entrust him with the responsibility of the hotel. Johnny’s different ideas simply don’t align with Drac’s and so, he concocts an elaborate lie to prevent him from taking over. However, as Drac begins to realize the purity of Johnny’s soul, he understands how important he truly is to him. This reframing allows Drac to celebrate Johnny’s strengths and accept his faults, opening the door for trust to break in between them.

Filled with monster mayhem and madness, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania should entertain both kids and longtime fans of the franchise. Although, this is not a Hotel that feels closed. Just ‘under renovations’. With that being said, even though there definitely pieces missing, one has to hope that there’s a more fitting finale to the franchise.

This Hotel needs one last ‘grand re-opening’ in its future.

To hear our conversation with producer Alice Dewey Goldstone, click here (YouTube) or here (podcast).

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is available on Amazon Prime on January 14th, 2022.

The Broken Hearts Gallery: Sifting through the Stuff

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Stuff is a funny thing.

I imagine the majority of us can sit down on any given day, look around and ask, “how did I get all this stuff?” I mean, at least that happens to me actually multiple times a day. I have antique heirlooms, random pieces of clay “art” that I have accumulated from each child during their pre-school and kindergarten years, more books than I will ever actually read, and notebooks…oh, how many notebooks I have.

But when I look at these items, whether in passing or in moments of contemplation, those items take me somewhere. They take me to my grandmother’s house and I remember exactly where it sat on the day we came back from her funeral 17 years ago this past August. They take me to the tiny, chubby hands presenting me with a painted “bowl” or “jewelry holder,” with the biggest grins of pride and accomplishment and tears begin to form. They transport me to my rough teenage and college years, or the early months of marriage, when I was figuring out just who I was and wanted to be. It’s stuff, yes, but that stuff comes with a message – of the past, of the present, of love, of heartbreak.

As such, I immediately connected with The Broken Hearts Gallery from Writer/Director Natalie Krinsky with Selena Gomez as an Executive Producer. Art curator Lucy (played by my new favorite comedic actress, Geraldine Viswanathan) collects mementos from all of her past relationships. Whether they are shoe strings, earbud cases, or ties, Natalie has these items meticulously placed throughout her room, much to the chagrin of best friends and roommates Amanda (Molly Gordon) and Nadine (Phillipa Soo, yes, of Hamilton). Despite their attempts to coax her out of her hoarder habit, Lucy is adamant that these items don’t just remind her of past loves, they hold memory of the good moments as well. On the heels of her most recent break-up mixed with a case of mistaken identity, Lucy stumbles into the path of Nick (Dacre Montgomery, aka “Billy” from Stranger Things). Their conversation on break-ups and stuff leads to Lucy’s inspiration for the Broken Hearts Gallery, which quickly becomes a social media sensation as people bring their mementos into Lucy’s care and later, on display.

I basically loved every minute of this movie. The script was delightfully witty and insightful, the chemistry between all the actors was electric. Viswanathan’s delivery and embodiment of Lucy had me wishing she was my new best friend, and Montgomery’s subtle charm had me smitten. 

Lucy’s heartfelt journey from collecting to freedom was authentic and moving, especially when she described heartbreak as “the great equalizer.” Pain and loss are universal. And while we all cope in unique ways, often we hold onto the physical mementos in an effort to hold onto the good memories before they fade away. 

But, even in our brokenness, we stitch pieces of ourselves back together. Sometimes it is through cleaning out the stuff. Sometimes it’s having a hard conversation with someone from our past. Sometimes it is opening ourselves up to a new kind of love, whether it be with another person or a new understanding and appreciation for our own self. No matter the how, The Broken Hearts Gallery does a phenomenal job of illustrating the why. And this is why it has earned a spot in my “must watch” collection. 

The Broken Hearts Gallery is available in theatres and on demand now.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

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Hotel Transylvania brought us the story of a safe space for all monsters, a touching father/daughter relationship, and what happens when a vampire and a human fall in love.

In the second installment, we welcome Dennis (or, of course, Dennisavitch), the half vampire/half human addition to the family.

But, in Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, we take a break from Mavis’ evolution, and bring the focus back to Dracula himself.  After the death of his wife, Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) became completely focused on his daughter, Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez), ensuring that she was raised with love and complete safety.  Now that Mavis is married and a mother, it’s time for Dracula to move on. He’s lonely and needs companionship (and it’s clear that dating apps are not his best friend).  Mavis can tell that Dracula is not being himself so, initially against his will, she takes the entire group on a cruise to the mysterious Bermuda Triangle. Clever location for a monster cruise, I thought.

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The film begins with a history lesson of sorts, as we get a glimpse of Dracula’s archenemy, Van Helsing (voiced by Jim Gaffigan).  I’m sure you recognize this name. Van Helsing dates back to the original Dracula film of 1897 and has been featured in numerous novels and films over the decades.  It seems only natural that the infamous vampire hunter makes some sort of appearance in the Hotel Transylvania trilogy. Although, perhaps, this might have been an easy story line to grab in order to extend the series.  Personally, I found that introducing an archenemy in the more lovable Hotel Transylvania series gave it more of a ‘Despicable Me’ vibe.

The entirety of this film has an overall theme of family legacy.  (Though I’m not reaching very far for that theme – I mean, the cruise ship was even named ‘Legacy’.)  Our pal Van Helsing is obsessed with the ideas of his great-granddaughter, Ericka (posing as the cruise director), capturing a weapon (the “family heirloom”), killing Dracula, and fulfilling the Van Helsing family legacy.

However, the plot twists when Dracula ‘zings’ and falls head over heels for young Ericka.  Initially, Ericka (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) runs with it, even going on a fake date with Dracula in an attempt to get closer to her supposed enemy.  But as the film progresses, Ericka seems to see something more in Dracula, and we see her struggling with these conflicting feelings.  The love story between Dracula and Ericka is very Romeo and Juliet, portraying them as star-crossed lovers unable to be together because of their feuding family past.

We see an interesting role reversal with Mavis and Dracula.  All of Mavis’ life, Dracula has protected her, and was very concerned when a love interest came on the scene, especially a human!  Though, in Hotel Transylvania 3, Mavis becomes very concerned and protective of her father when he begins his relationship with Ericka. Mavis immediately senses that she’s trouble. And, interestingly, Dracula also falls for a human.

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As we near the end of the film, we see a very unexpected undertone that touches on the extraordinary power of music.  When paired with a specific musical composition, the “family heirloom” that Ericka captured (which is really a quasi-weapon of mass destruction), turns the typically friendly sea creature, The Kraken (voiced by Joe Jonas), into a furious monster.  Trapped on a sea structure for the final party, Dracula and the gang have nowhere to run when The Kraken begins demolishing the structure and aiming his tentacles directly at them. Well, luckily, Johnny is a wannabe DJ who pulls out his music library and counteracts the evil composition with a set of the happiest music he’s got, a set list that includes everything from “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” to the infamous “Macarena”. This was a riot of a scene–and I embarrassed by daughter by doing the Macarena in the theatre. (90’s for the win!)

Finally, we go out on a kind note as the evil Van Helsing is saved instead of destroyed, despite his plans to destroy Dracula.  The lovable Murray (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key) put is so well: “You gotta be greater than the haters”.