Monster High: The Movie movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Monster High: The Movie

This fun musical, monster mash is available now on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.

RATING: TV-PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 32 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

If you’re in the mood for a fun musical AND something Halloweenie, this is the family-friendly flick for you! Your pre-teens will especially get a kick out of it. The story follows a girl who is half human and half werewolf. As she finally finds a place where she fits, a devious plan to destroy Monster High threatens to reveal her identity She must learn to embrace her true monster heart and save the day.

To manage your expectations, it’s important to know that the characters in this movie are completely different from prior versions in the franchise. I’ve never seen any Monster High productions since their inception in 2010, so I had zero expectations going into this. I was in the mood for silly fun and definitely got it.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast does a great job and features Miia Harris, Ceci Balagot (adorable), Nayah Damasen, Case Walker, Jy Prishkulnik, Steve Valentine, and Kyle Selig.
It’s a lot of fun with over-the-top goofiness.
The musical numbers are cute with great voices, catchy melodies, and energetic choreography.
The movie does a good job of combining typical high school drama with monster mayhem.
Keep watching during the rolling credits at the end of the movie for a few more scenes. We also get to watch the makeup department work its magic on the actors as they transform them into monsters before filming.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I’ve heard that fans of the franchise are annoyed by some of the personality changes in this version.
Some of the lines are pretty cheesy. Remember, they’re supposed to be.
Many of the characters introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns. That would seem annoyingly woke, but is actually kind of helpful because the characters are monsters.
Some of the visual effects aren’t that great.
Some set pieces really look like set pieces.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some of the monsters are terrible role models for your kids.
Bullying
Mean behavior
Manipulation

THEMES:

Judging others
Acceptance
Diversity
Friendship
Traditions
Family
Be yourself. Be unique.
What’s inside is more important than what’s outside
Secrets

INTERESTING LINES:

“I’m going to miss you a lot, like an unhealthy amount.” – Apollo (Scotch Ellis Loring)
“Now we can be beasties online.” – Cleo De Nile (Jy Prishkulnik)
“This is who I am.” – Clawdeen Wolf (Miia Harris)

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Monster High: Boo York, Boo York (2015):

Hocus Pocus 2: https://moviereviewmom.com/hocus-pocus-2-movie-review/

Honor Society: https://moviereviewmom.com/honor-society-movie-review/

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