Monster House

Plot synopsis:
The parents of twelve-year-old "DJ" Walters leave town for the weekend, leaving him in the care of Elizabeth "Zee". DJ has been spying on his elderly neighbor Horace Nebbercracker, who confiscates any item landing in his yard. After DJ's best friend Charles "Chowder" loses his basketball on Nebbercracker's lawn, DJ is caught by Nebbercracker trying to recover it, but the enraged owner apparently suffers a heart attack and is taken away by an ambulance. That night, DJ receives phone calls from the house with no one on the other end. Eavesdropping on Zee's boyfriend Bones, DJ hears him tell Zee about losing his kite on Nebbercracker's lawn when he was younger and that Nebbercracker supposedly ate his wife. Later, Bones sees his kite in the doorway of Mr. Nebbercracker's house, but he is consumed by the house while retrieving it.
The next morning, a girl named Jenny Bennett is selling Halloween candy. DJ and Chowder see her going to Nebbercracker's house and rush out to catch her before she is eaten by it. Jenny calls the police but is not believed.
The trio seek advice from Reginald "Skull" Skulinski, supposedly an expert on the supernatural. They learn that the house is a rare monster created when a human soul merges with a man-made structure and that it can only be killed by destroying its heart. They conclude that the heart must be the furnace and Chowder provides a cold medicine-filled dummy that should cause the house to sleep long enough for them to douse the furnace. Police Officers Landers and Lester thwart their plan and they are arrested when Landers finds the cold medicine stolen from Chowder's father's pharmacy inside the dummy. When the officers go to examine the house, it eats them and the car in which DJ, Chowder and Jenny have been shut.
When the house falls asleep, the kids begin exploring. In the basement they find a collection of toys accumulated from Nebbercracker's lawn, as well as a door that opens to a shrine containing the body of Nebbercracker's wife Constance the Giantess, encased in cement. The house realizes they are inside and attacks them. DJ, Chowder and Jenny force the house to vomit them outside by grabbing its uvula. Nebbercracker arrives home alive, revealing that Constance's spirit is within the house and that he did not eat her but instead had given her some of the happiest times in her life. As a young man, he met Constance, then an unwilling member of a circus freak show, and fell in love with her despite her obesity. After he helped her escape, they began building the house. One Halloween, as children tormented her due to her size, Constance tried chasing them away but lost her footing and fell to her death in the basement. Nebbercracker had finished the house, knowing it was what she would have wanted but, aware that Constance's spirit made the house come alive, he pretended to hate children so as to keep them away.
DJ tells Nebbercracker it is time to let Constance go, but the house overhears this. Enraged, it breaks free from its foundation and chases the group to a construction site. Nebbercracker attempts to distract the house so he can dynamite it, but the house notices and attacks him. Chowder fights it off with an excavator and DJ is given the dynamite. While Chowder distracts the house, DJ and Jenny climb to the top of a crane and DJ throws the dynamite into the chimney causing the house to explode. The trio then see Nebbercracker with Constance's ghost before she fades away. DJ apologizes to Nebbercracker for the loss of his house and wife, but Nebbercracker thanks the kids for freeing him from being trapped for 45 years. That night, children in their Halloween costumes are lined up at the site of the house, where DJ, Chowder and Jenny help return the toys to their owners. Jenny's mother picks her up and DJ and Chowder go trick-or-treating, which they previously felt they were too old for.
Those who were eaten by the house now emerge from the basement.

Tags: bleak, psychedelic, flashback

Review:
Now it seems time has changed: ten-year-old children are playing horror-video games so probably what was too scary for them in the eighties is just right and fun now.
Let's be clear - Monster House is not your typical 'feel-good' children's movie.
Natually, because he's a kid, nobody believes him, save for good friend cum resident fat-kid loser Chowder (Sam Lerner).The story's kept tight by having set a day before Halloween, and despite the children being stereotyped, Chowder actually stole the show from DJ with his at time innocent, at time crafty and sly antics, and there's a nice tango for attention between the two boys and their crush of the moment - Jenny (Spenser Locke).
Come to think of it, there isn't an artificially created "cute" character in the movie, as it adapts "real life" as best as it could, in an animated form.
The house, it seems, has a life of its own.This movie started as a script that sat unproduced for years, for want of technology and the right people to make it.
Others may exist, but it's not packed with pop culture references like the _Shrek_ movies.Directing an animated film is different in a lot of ways from directing live action, which makes it more complicated to rate.
The character interaction looked really good, better than almost any animated movie I've seen.
Where _Shrek_ emphasizes pop culture references for adult appeal, this movie targets adults' memories of childhood, effectively drawing adults into enjoying it like the kids in the audience.Credits: There are a few additional scenes after the credits begin.
"Monster House" was obviously envisioned as a 3D experience and the technical process envelopes you in the story and the world in which it takes place in a way that is so immediate and palpable.Lest you think that only the technique is worthy of praise, let me mention that the script, the performances, the direction, the score are all of the fun, adventurous spirit of all the best movies I remember from my youth.
If it was, that was a mistake because this a pretty scary film in parts - much to much for the little ones.The "edginess" isn't just the violence (a Halloween-type scary house and the comes alive and attacks people), it's most of the characters.
The worst in that attitude category is D.J.'s friend "Chowder," the kind of guy who talks you into doing things that wind up getting YOU in trouble.The best part of the film, besides the animation, is the unpredictability of the story.
It may be animated, but it feels much in the same realm as live action fare like The Goonies, Gremlins and all the other mildly scary and terrifically silly films of that time period.
Even after looking at the fascinatingly short making-of featurettes on the DVD, I still cannot fathom why so much work went into creating the animation to be just right, but not enough was put in to make it intricately detailed like other CGI-animated films.The voice talent all deliver their lines and actions very well.
Supporting turns from Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Kevin James and Jon Heder are all amusing in their own right, and were definitely interesting choices for these actors.All around, Monster House is a disappointing film culled from a very interesting idea.
I watched "Monster House" with my brother at Halloween night and it was perfect movie for that day.
Fans of Goonies will feel somewhat at home when watching this film.The side characters are your typical from-the-kid's-point-of-view grown-ups who don't quite understand, or believe, what the children are saying (babysitter, police officers, angry neighbor).
It was very close, but Monster House has the wit, the sarcasm, the excitement, and the characters that keep you interested and sometimes breathless throughout the entire film.I've seen three movies this year that have instantly because new favorites of mine overnight: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Click, and Monster House.
Director Gil Kenan and his writing team overwork the laughs, leaving you with a shaggy-dog "Goosebumps" story about a carnivorous old house and a trio of unlikely pre-teen friends who team up to take it down.DJ is a boy on the cusp of puberty, beginning to feel too old for trick- or-treating when Halloween comes along.
But trick-or-treating is very much on his mind, as he discovers a dark secret about an old house across the street: It's alive, and it's hungry!Since it's designed for a younger demographic, it's hard to complain about a mildly funny comedy that leaves me flat in the story-and-thrills department.
I think the film is set in the early 1980s, with old coin-operated video games and Olivia Newton-John on the car radio, so I felt more at home watching this than expected.I liked the banter between DJ and his pal, Chowder, likable dorks who find their friendship tested both by the house and by the appearance of the pretty-but-snobby Jenny.
I saw the 3D version of Monster House, which I recommend as THE format to see the film in.The story is pretty simple and not entirely original.
But the zest for which the characters jump into your lap (figuratively and literally) makes this a fun ride through a house of horrors.The overall animation is pretty decent, but the facial expressions are absolutely fantastic.
The lack of photo realism in other features is quickly ignored as you feel at times like you are watching a real life childhood drama unfold right in front of you.Who hasn't had a spooky house in their neighborhood that was legend?
I enjoy a lot of cartoon movies, both geared towards kids and a wider audience, but this one just didn't seem to come together for me.It wasn't really captivating enough for the adults in the group I saw it with.
Gil Kenan's directorial debut comes in as somewhat of a shock, with his excellent attention to detail and incredible sense of direction with the spook-fest that is "Monster House".The movie centers around DJ and Chowder, two pre-teen friends who suspect the house across the street is evil.
We all loved to watch scared kids taking on adults or monsters, with classics such as "Home Alone", and "Die Unendliche Geschichte (The Neverending Story)".
This movie combines both of those in order to satisfy a younger audience and create a sense of nostalgia in the older demographic.With one of the best animated scenes I've ever seen on the screen (at the end, with the dynamite being thrown), "Monster House" goes up there with "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Edward Scissorhands", and "Beetle Juice" as a Burtonesque type of film that defines childhood desire for fear.
Definitely a movie that can be seen more than just once, and the best 3D Animated Feature since "Finding Nemo", "Monster House" is a sure contender at the Academy Awards in 2007, and perhaps the most fun movie of the summer so far..
I firmly believe Monster House is the best animated film of 2006.
I would describe it as a Horror Movie for kids, so if you're a parent and you feel your children are easily freaked out or you are evil and refuse to let them watch anything fun, you may want to view it yourself first.
Monster House is kind of like one of the books never written put up on the screen with an extra dosage of some funny moments and lots of visual tricks up the animator's sleeves.
It's a family horror comedy that actually has some characters for kids to connect and root for, with a little more development past the conventions, and a host of supporting characters that are actually as funny for adults and older teens as they might be for kids.And the creativity in the animation department is some of the best I've seen in non-Pixar computer animated films so far.
When the film goes into its final act and the house then literally lifts off of its foundation after the kids, it really becomes an entertaining spectacle where cliffhanging moments are abound and there's always time for a grin.
In fact, it's really something to see how the humor in the film is not overly juvenile or predicated on excrement jokes, but more on behavior and stuff kids relate to- being talked down to, boys clumsiness around girls, and fears of what may possibly be where they'd rather not look.And making up the characters is a very good voice roster including Steve Buscemi as the old man Nebbercracker, Fred Willard & Catherine O'Hara as the parents, a nice crop of talented kid actors (Mitchell Musso, Sam Lerner and Spencer Locke), and others like Jason Lee, John Heder and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Like a good kid's horror book it delivers on some interesting bits involved in the mystery of the crux of the story, while as an animated feature it delivers on being engrossing (and fun) entertainment in its execution.
But the movie is very funny, with great animation and hilarious voices, and an excellent and worthwhile family entertainment.
All the horror and mystery is lost once the kids go indoors.7.5/10 - Outside of PIXAR, this is one of the most imaginative and entertaining animated films of recent years.
At times, I felt like I was watching real people.The one thing that spoiled the movie for me was this: Though both the policemen were stereotypical cop buffoons, the rookie cop--the only black character in the film-- was offensive.
This was definitely a fun film, but I don't recommend it to kids under ten years old or people that are easily scared.
Without getting in to a debate about the value of real animators and hand-crafted animation versus using a computer to auto-digitize the movement of physical actors, I'll just say that this performance capture stuff continues to look wholly unnecessary in Monster House, but it doesn't spoil the movie.
Enjoyable CGI Halloween tale is most likely not for young children as it's marketing may have suggested, but would sit well with boys over twelve as one of the more entertaining animated films of the year.
Coming to DVD one week before pumpkin night, Monster House is the ideal family Halloween movie at the moment.
Before sitting down to watch this animated film, I was expecting a children's tale filled with toddler-like jokes and juvenile references.
Following this introduction to a very scary old man, we are introduced to the main character DJ, who has been spying on Nebbercracker from his house across the street for weeks now, watching the old man amp up his confiscation of children's toys.Filled with voices of well-known actors, including Jason Lee as the stoner boyfriend, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as his punk rock girlfriend, "Z", Monster House turns out to be a beautifully stylized animated story.
Going for the "Toy Story" doll-like animation in this instance, Monster House pulls off its stray from realistic looking characters with its engaging animation and aesthetics.
Monster House was, well, okay, but I had to sit through a lot of nothing until the good stuff finally arrived 50 minutes into the movie!
"Monster House" boasts a top-notch crew, memorable voices that fit the characters perfectly, a great story, an ingenious backstory, and a twisty ending.
Besides the my opinion that the film should've been done in live-action instead of this...kind of animation, it's reasonable by me, to let them show a possessed house fully eating a police car, with 3 kids still screaming in the back of it.
I also thought the ending of the movie was very exaggerated.The film features voice actors such as Steve Buscemi (the old man), Mitchel Musso or Kathleen Turner.
When Nebbercracker dies, somethings seems to be happening in the old house.The motion capture animation is pretty good for that era.
I personally remember the day this movie came out and it made me think to myself this looks like a family oriented film.
These two bring the laughs with their conspiracy theories that no one believes and their antics in the industrial sight come the end may be highly unrealistic but are good fun for the target audience, which is most likely the family.However what is worth mentioning is the nature of this film.
The house's many splinters and reformations in the finale are impressive graphically also.This is a springy good fun film that brings the laughs and light hearted enjoyment for the family.It may not have the punch of other animations but as far as I can tell, it was certainly the best animation of 2006, by a long stretch..
I forgot what the third choice was.But I ended up choosing 'Monster House', and if I didn't,I probably would've regretted it.The movie itself is as alive as the house is.It's funny,scary,action-packed,and a boatload of fun.Just like any other animated film,there's also a fairly good cast.Jon Heder,Nick Cannon,Fred Willard,Maggie Gyllenhall,Jason Lee,Kevin James and Steve Buscemi did an excellent job in this movie as much as everybody else did.This is one movie that just can't be missed.With a huge cast that I just mentioned,this movie is nearly impossible to love..
Monster House takes all my loves and puts them into one, flat-out amazing animated movie.For someone who isn't a horror fan and just wants another Finding Nemo, you're really going to be disappointed here.
I was left with the sense of a lonely world where the only characters in existence at any given time those that were absolutely critical to the plot.The movie itself was decent with an average story, but the script definitely lacked the finesse or oomph of a typical animated film.
Jokes often fell flat and I found myself feeling embarrassed for the actor's at times (the cast is stellar).Overall, this movie's story, script and animation felt to me more the caliber of Jimmy Neutron, or some other TV kids show.
Way behind of the computer-animated movie race, Sony Pictures Animation launched MONSTER HOUSE in 2006, and with some professional help from thrill masters Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, it turns up pretty well and enjoyable, even if it doesn't hit the same ground as FINDING NEMO or SHREK, which set the comparisons among recent animated films.
Even when it isn't right on that level, this film is a lot of fun, and it makes for decent family entertainment.The secret juice comes from the screenplay, which is basically a horror movie for kids.
Jon Heder, A.K.A. Napoleon Dynamite, plays the aid of the young boys while Maggie Gyllanhall plays DJ's babysitter.The film may have lost the best animated feature to "Happy Feet" since the academy liked the ethnic penguins and heart morality more than the frights of this funny caper; but there is no way I'm avoiding this movie, especially on Halloween..
the special effects were pretty good in this one,, if this is the way animation is going, then i'm all in,, this was a great movie for the kids,, say 10 on up..
and i think good for adults too, this movie along with over the hedge, makes me want to see more kids movies,, especially the animation kind..
Monster House is a very good movie.
It Shows That Kids Films Can Be Dark When They Want To Be. After bad overly happily bad kids movie that have taken over the industry (Happily N'Ever After, etc.) CGI world needed something dark, something original, and Monster House was just that.Now I'm not saying that you should get the DVD for a six year-old, there are some really dark, and arguably...
Consistently entertaining, with fabulous animation, a great creepy storyline and some nicely realised characters, this is one scary movie that the whole family can enjoy.DJ lives opposite grouchy old man Nebbercracker, whose favourite pastime is scaring the local children and stealing their toys when they land on his lawn.
"Monster House" is hands down the best kids adventures movie in a loooooong time.
There have been other films like this in the past, my favorite of which is "The Sandlot", and there are moments in which "Monster House" tries to duplicate that sense of exaggeration, but it doesn't quite succeed.The technology behind the making of this movie was groundbreaking, in that it's not a traditional CG-animated film.
What the film results in is the best tale of kids against supernatural odds adventure since the classic 80s movies The Goonies and Monster Squad.
Though the story is pretty dark it was very well written, and I like the fact that all the three main characters are very well balance and the pace of the movie is interesting from first minute to the end credit.
That is a great way to spend a hour and one half.The animation is very good but occasionally a bit too dark..I like to see what is going on not have to guess.The characters likable and fun particularly the three leads: DJ Chowder and Jenny.
I saw Monster House & I have to say that even though this is intended to be a kids CGI film it has some scary scenes I think anyone who is under 9 should avoid this film until you're older or else you'll have nightmares for weeks.
Enjoy the movie & have a good time but keep it away from young kids..
All animated films should be made the way Monster House was.
Monster House is now one of my favorite animated films..
Chowder and the cops provide most of the comic relief, and by then end of a scary ride you discover there is a good story at the heart of it all.This is quite a departure from the line other digitally animated movies have taken and is well worth a look..
Musso, Lerner, and Locke immaculately breathe personality into their characters.All in all, "Monster House" is a fun movie, filled with moments of comedy, horror, suspense, and what a lot of animated movies lack nowadays - a film that can be actually enjoyed by everyone in the audience..