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Monster fun for everyone
MONSTER HOUSE
Directed by Gil Kenan
Certificate PG
MONSTER House is the latest animation flick to be released in a year where we have had our fair share of them already, but because of a snappy plot, great actors doing the voices, and some amazing animated wizardry it is possibly the best of the 2006 crop.
When boys DJ and Chowder decide to explore the home of a crotchety neighbour, little do they realise what frightening surprises lurk behind the front door.
It is owned by cranky old man Nebbercracker, who punishes DJ and his friends by confiscating footballs if they stray on to his property. When DJ and Chowder’s basketball lands in Nebbercracker’s front garden, they rush to get it back before he stops them. But Nebbercracker collapses in front of the boys and is rushed to hospital.
As he is taken away in an ambulance, strange things start stirring in his home. It has always been a point of interest for our two heroes, as to what goes on behind Nebbercracker’s front door, so they decide to venture inside. This was not a good idea. The house develops an appetite for eating visitors, and thus begins DJ’s and Chowder’s quest to stop it before too many people become its victim.
It is a scary film in places. Shadows fall across the screen and the interior of the house is as perfect a haunted home as you could imagine, and there are moments of genuine suspense.
Steve Buscemi has finally won an A-list rating after being seen as too off-the-wall for big time studios – but he has shown that he can do mainstream, and child comedy at that.
His work as the voice of Nebbercracker is painfully funny – his old man act works brilliantly.
And to persuade Kathleen Turner to come on board to be Nebbercracker’s deceased wife was another coup that gives the film added credibility. But one of the nicest things about Monster House is the fact there are no cute moralistic tales hidden under a sugary wrapping. |
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