To finally be accepted by his stepfather Dracula, the exuberant Johnny accepts that the mad scientist Van Helsing transforms him into a monster. But the machine used also performs the opposite, causing several monsters to metamorphose into humans, including the famous vampire. A burlesque adventure follows in the heart of the Amazon rainforest to find the remedy capable of bringing everyone back to their original form.
Posted at 9:30 a.m.
Since the launch ofHotel Transylvania in 2012, the characters of the franchise have evolved little. Dracula always wants to control everything. He overprotects his daughter Mavis and tolerates his son-in-law, the fiery (and human) Johnny. The young couple, for their part, spins the perfect happiness, surrounded by more eclectic monsters than the others, become regular customers of the hotel owned by Dracula. This fourth opus changes things up a bit. Catapulted into foreign bodies and having to manage a thousand miles from home, Drac and Johnny have the opportunity to get to know each other better and finally establish a relationship.
The originality of the scenario has never been the strong point of the Sony Pictures Animation franchise. It is rather thanks to the visual gags and their overflowing energy that the first three animated films hit the bull’s eye. This one is in the same line. Except that this time, the metamorphosis of several characters and their risky incursion into a tropical zone allow the creators to go even further and let loose, while addressing a young audience.
It’s very funny to watch the always-dressed Count Dracula suffer in the body of a pot-bellied middle-aged man with thinning hair. Adam Sandler, who until then lent his voice to the vampire in the original English version, preferred to pass his turn. He is replaced in a more than respectable way by Brian Hull. Almost all of the other voice cast members are back.
Johnny (Andy Samberg), enthusiastic by nature, is thrilled with his new dragon look. Dracula and Johnny have time to forge new bonds before the determined Mavis (Selena Gomez), the resourceful Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) and the merry band of human-turned monsters come to their rescue, taming their new status. Frankenstein (Brad Abrell) is the most pampered in this regard and derives enormous satisfaction from it.
The director of the first three films in the franchise, Genndy Tartakovsky, returns as co-writer and executive producer (a position also occupied by Selena Gomez). The production has been entrusted to Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska, who are both taking the big leap at the helm of an animated feature film. They were able to respect the soul and the characters of the franchise, while injecting a new dose of energy and a little emotion, drawing attention to family ties and the importance of seeing the beautiful sides of the life.
This is supposedly the end of the saga. We will see if this is the case, as Drac retires and the new generation takes the reins of the hotel. A fifth opus is however in the air. Taking place during the holidays, it could be launched in November 2024. Dracula, Mavis, Johnny and company have a new reprieve …
On Amazon Prime Video
Animation
Hotel Transylvania – Transformania V.F.: Hotel Transylvania – Transformania
Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska
With the voices of Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Brian Hull
1:37 a.m.