Dir: Gil Kenan
Cast: Kathleen Turner, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Steve Buscmei, Mitchel Musso (voices)
Until now, the general consensus is that Over The Hedge has been the best animated family film of the summer. That is probably still just about true but Monster House, from executive producers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, runs it very close.
A mix of ghoulish goings-on, devilishly dark humour and cracking CGI make this a rare treat for young fright-fans looking to make the step up from Scooby Doo cartoons. To be fair, it’s not so much a step as a leap of faith. But I guarantee that parents and kids alike - if they’re prepared to risk the odd sleepless night - will have their faith rewarded by this spooky animation flick.
The central idea - two boys discover that the scary house across the road is actually a man-eating, toy-devouring monster, is even sillier than Shyamalan’s but, for three-quarters of it’s running time, the execution is near faultless. But I should warn you that this deliciously dark-hearted picture, in which nasty old men really do steal little girls’ tricycles, is certainly convincing enough to frighten younger children.
The star is the house itself (voiced by Kathleen Turner). A cartoon version of The Munsters’ gothic pile, it feeds on any unsuspecting toys and nippers who stray on to it’s front lawn. That’s until local dad DJ (Mitchel Musso), his dim-witted buddy Chowder (Sam Lerner) and teen hottie Jenny (Spencer Locke) pluck up the courage to take on the house and it’s fearsome owner Mr Nebbercracker. When Chowder’s basketball goes AWOL on Nebbercracker’s premise, the boys, along with fast friend Jenny (Locke), have no choice but to investigate.
Zemeckis directed The Polar Express just two years ago but, although the animation style is similar, the technology has clearly moved on again, with ’the camera’ swooping and circling around characters from any angle debut director Gil Kenan chooses.
But even more impressive are characters drawn with real humanity and wit, and a script which is sharp, wickedly funny and has the confidence to put the boys, Lister and his best friend Landers, on the brink of puberty without ever getting yucky about it. How the pair of them react to the arrival of a pretty girl in the story is exquisitely observed.
With the likes of Steve Buscemi and Maggie Gyllenhaal contributing terrific voices, Monster House is a let down only by a final quarter that goes on too long, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense and lacks the imagination of what has so enjoyably gone before.
Kenan is a talent to watch, even in a flick that doesn’t know when to quit. A kind of Goonies for the Noughties, Monster House is a visually dazzling thrill ride that scales greater heights through its winning characters and poignantly etched emotions.