Monster House (2006)

Directed By:
Gil Kenan

Written By:
Dan Harmon &
Rob Schrab &
Pamela Pettler

Cast:
Mitchel Musso … D.J.
Sam Lerner … Chowder
Spencer Locke … Jenny
Steve Buscemi … Nebbercracker
Maggie Gllenhaal … Zee
Jason Lee … Bones

“Monster House” is probably the scariest film that has a PG rating and was made as a children’s film that you will ever see. But apart from being, at times, disturbing it is also a lot of fun, and quite funny. DJ is our young protagonist; he is joined by his best friend Chowder and later by a young girl who has won the heart of both the boys. Together they must save their neighborhood and everyone in it from the house across the street, which the children believe has been posses by the soul of its recently deceased grumpy, child hating inhabitant. Now this may seem like the plot for a Wes Craven film, but in reality it is one of the best, most intelligent children’s films in quite some time.
One of the most impressive things about the film is its CG effects, which are greatly enhanced by a 3-D presentation available at some theaters. This is the first CG animated film I have scene that is treated more as live action than it is as a cartoon. I recall the animation of “Beauty and he Beast” which had some of the most impressive direction ever for and animated film, and in the same way “Monster House’s” direction breaks away from the convention of other CG movies to have a feel all its own.
Now its great animation and direction, and even the breathtaking 3-D presentation can’t take away from the great voice acting and astoundingly smart script. It is rare to see a children’s film that doesn’t just have a couple of jokes or gags for the adults in the audience to enjoy, but is intended for the adults in the room just as much as t is for the kids. Now, when I say kids, I am not talking about 5 or 6 year olds, because this film is a bit too intense for them, the kids this film is best suited for are those around thirteen and a bit younger, this film probably only escaped a PG-13 rating so because it’s target audience is just below that age, I’d say kids about 10-12, which are about the ages of the films central characters. And this movie doesn’t patronize its audience like most kids films, making it a cut above most of the competition.
The only other animated film I can think of that is even close to similar to this one is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (which we discover in this films previews will be re-released in 3-D on October 20th). The film has a definite Tim Burton-type feel, but that’s not to say its director doesn’t have a style all his own, but I bet Burton has had some influence on this films direction. And I bet all the cult following that has developed for “Nightmare,” once they discover it, will be just a pleased to embrace this film, because it is certainly just as good if not better, and in a similar vain. However it still maintains an originality, freshness, and naivety that was lacking in “The Corpse Bride,” so people who were disappointed by that film (like me) will no doubt find a new obsession in “Monster House.”
If every CG movie were this good, live action movies would have to fear extinction. And I really hope that this new 3-D technology (which improves upon the old method by 100%) is a wave of the future, and more, and more films are made in such a style, because it certainly is a treat for the eyes. This movie is the perfect movie going experience, not only is the movie unnecessarily good, but you senses are overwhelmed as the movie jumps at you. Everything about this movie left me in awe, and it certainly was a treat to see a movie that wasn’t the disappointing “Superman Returns” with this new 3-D technology. Strongly Recommended, I guarantee that anyone who sees this film, esspecialy if they see it in 3-D will not be disappointed.

NOTE: I would like to just say a few more words about the 3-D in the film. I recall a few years back going to see “Spy Kids 3-D” which not only was a terrible movie, but after being given cheap cardboard 3-D glasses I was confronted with a muted picture that wasn’t in the least impressive and frankly gave me a head ache. That was the first film I saw in 3-D in theaters and I was disappointed, now with this in mind I was rather skeptical about going to “Monster House” in 3-D but after seeing the amazing way it worked in “Superman Returns,” my hopes were raised a bit, but I still wasn’t sure. Upon entering however I received not cheap cardboard glasses but sturdy plastic ones (which they let you keep) and it was a whole new experience and I was so happy I think I turned back into a kid for that Hour and forty minutes. So if you are skeptical of the technology and/or have been let down in the past, keep in mind this is a whole new process, just go and let the movie convince you because seeing is truly believing.

Interesting facts:
-The second film to be released in REAL D's digital 3D format.
-Kathleen Turner who plays Constance in the movie also did the voice of Jessica Rabbit in the Robert Zemeckis film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Robert Zemeckis executive produces this film.
-This is one of two films that premiered on July 21st 2006 that feature Jason Lee, the second being Clerks II.
-The trailer prominently features the main theme to Beetlejuice, however, this film is not connected in any way with that film.
-As with The Polar Express, a stereoscopic 3D version of the film has been created and is expected to have a limited special release in digital 3D stereo along with the "flat" version. While The Polar Express was produced for the 3D IMAX 70mm giant film format, Monster House will be released in approximately 200 theaters equipped for new REAL D Cinema digital 3D stereoscopic projection. The process is not based on film, but is purely digital. Since the original source material was "built" in virtual 3d, it creates a very rich stereoscopic environment, and with many months of lead time, it might surpass the 3D effect of even The Polar Express. For the film's release, the studio nicknamed it Imageworks 3D.
-All of the film's character animation is at least partially derived from a complex motion capture process dubbed Performance Capture. This process was pioneered by Robert Zemeckis on his film The Polar Express, also produced by Sony Pictures Imageworks.