Set on Halloween, the script is original and nicely creepy, even when the boys are joined by a redhead named Jenny.
Monster House (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:155
Fresh:114
Rotten:41
Average Rating:6.8/10
Consensus: Monster House welcoms kids and adults alike into a household full of smart, monstrous fun.
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins
Genre: Childrens
US Box Office: $73,661,010
Synopsis: MONSTER HOUSE is a feat of blockbusting filmmaking--a visually stunning, witty tale that is sure to stimulate children and their parents. The film focuses on an anthropomorphic mansion, a haunted... MONSTER HOUSE is a feat of blockbusting filmmaking--a visually stunning, witty tale that is sure to stimulate children and their parents. The film focuses on an anthropomorphic mansion, a haunted house with human characteristics that actively frightens neighborhood folks as it attempts to reign over its inhabitants. One day, a trio of intrepid youngsters, sick of being terrorized, decide to fight back. They are cutely pubescent DJ (Mitchel Musso); his fumbling, chubby friend Chowder (Sam Lerner); and smart-as-a-whip tomboy Jenny (Spencer Locke), who immediately enchants the awkward boys. The local police are no help, so DJ, Chowder, and Jenny are left to their own clever devices, which result in a series of rollicking, hilarious, and sometimes scary adventures. A cast of colorful personalities surrounds the central characters, and they are voiced by luminaries who include Catherine O'Hara, Kevin James, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kathleen Turner, Steve Buscemi, and the brilliant Fred Willard. And teen hipsters will delight in hearing the droll voice of Jon Heder (the title character of cult hit NAPOLEON DYNAMITE) as a deadbeat pizza maker nicknamed "Skull." First-time director Gil Kenan proves spirited and highly adept at mastering such a high-tech production, and followers of animation will want to pay attention to the use of new digital techniques that stray away from straightforward computer drawing. MONSTER HOUSE is executive produced by Robert Zemeckis, who helmed the innovative and sophisticated animated feature WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? in 1988. He once again proves that family fare need not be alienating to older viewers, but can appeal to on every level from childhood and upward. [More]
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Nick Cannon, Jon Heder
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Nick Cannon, Jon Heder, Kevin James, Jason Lee, Catherine O'Hara, Kathleen Turner, Fred Willard
Director: Gil Kenan
Director: Gil Kenan
Screenwriter: Pamela Pettler, Rob Schrab, Dan Harmon
Producer: Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, Jason Clark, Steve Starkey, Jack Rapke
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Reviews for Monster House
A rich, layered and often funny script, with some decent scares, as well as some knowing, hip scenes that satisfy with their edgy moments and lines.
Monster House tries to straddle the line between childhood and puberty to little effect; it's adult enough to hint at consequence, but not enough to follow through.
In a lovely neighbourhood there is a very old and dilapidated house that eats anything that lands on its property.
A haunted house that's alive, uproots itself, and storms down the street on a rampage seems a bit over-stimulating for young children.
"Monster House" may well be the first mainstream animated exploitation movie.
Ultimately, the environments are far more interesting than the humans navigating within them.
It's too dark for the kiddies, while not having enough of an adult flavor to reach an older audience.
The picture is yet another entry in the if-you-animate-it-they-will come (they being parents and kids) summer sweepstakes.
The movie might become one day a thrilling amusement-park ride, but for now, it's mediocre and generic kids animation tale with uneven special effects (some corny) that would have benefited from a release around Halloween, when the yarn is set.
Had it been released at Halloween (where it surely belongs), you might count it as marginal seasonal fun. In the middle of summer, though, it barely registers.
reminiscent of last year's shrill 'Zathura,' another film that couldn't find the proper balance between humor and horror. ...The movie has a few nicely warped ideas that remain frustratingly underdeveloped.
Monster House benefits from strong graphic design and lovely lighting, but the script is nothing to write home about.
Creepy in more ways than one: The 'performance capture' technology still results in animated human characters who look more disturbing than natural.
The overall conception suggests Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle, the frenetic pacing seems as American as an apple pie in your face.
Latest News for Monster House
September 18, 2008:
Kenan and Zemeckis Reunite for Airman ![]()
Director Gil Kenan and producer Robert Zemeckis, the duo that brought you "Monster House," have announced plans to film an adaptation of "Artemis Fowl" author Eoin Colfer's book... More...
July 31, 2007:
Sony Planning Three More Motion Capture Flicks
You know that fancy "motion capture animation" technique that's been employed in The Polar Express, Monster House, and the upcoming Beowulf? Looks like Sony Imageworks is... More...
July 26, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Mmmmmmmmmmm Box Office Feast!
Bart, Lisa, and the whole gang from Springfield will charge into multiplexes across North America and much of the world this weekend in the highly anticipated animated comedy... More...
February 09, 2007:
Zemeckis & Lasseter to Deliver CG "John Carter of Mars"?
OK, a whole bunch of bloggers are falling all over each other to report this "speculation," but if they're on to something, it's a pretty big story. Well, a big story... More...
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