Monster High: Welcome to Monster High
General Info
| Genres | Animation, Family, Kids |
|---|---|
| Music By | Shawn Patterson, Rebecca Kneubuhl |
| Tagline | This school has fangtastic friends, unbelievable style and classroom lurks and screams! |
| Film Name | Monster High: Welcome to Monster High |
| Starring | Debi Derryberry, Cassandra Lee Morris, Celeste Henderson |
| Languages | English |
| Directed By | Stephen Donnelly, Olly Reid, Jun Falkenstein |
| Produced By | Bruno Bianchi, Shane Amsterdam, Nadine Trouncer |
| Release Date | 2016-08-27 |
| Running Time | 72 minutes |
| Screenplay By | Shane Amsterdam, Stephen Donnelly, Dana Starfield |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Distributed By | Universal Pictures Home Entertainment |
| Original Title | Monster High: Welcome to Monster High |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Trailer Youtube URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muxf0HhO7SM |
| World Premiere Date | 2016-08-27 |
| Production Company Name | Mattel Creations |
| Production Company Website URL | https://corporate.mattel.com/ |
Overview
Trailer
Screenshots
Plot
The story takes place when they discover an old school where they decide to establish Monster High, a paradise for their kind. Cleo de Nile joins them with her rich resources and with her somewhat reluctant help initiates the transformation of the old school building. The trio will soon face challenges as Moanica D'kay, an evil zombie, tries to destroy their vision by creating an army of zombies to lead a rebellion against the human world. The plot thickens when Moanica kidnaps Draculaura and tries to use her vampire powers for her nefarious plans.
Draculaura and Frankie, with the help of their friends Clawdeen Wolf and Lagoona Blue, and a "normal" (human) named Tash - who proves that humans and monsters can coexist - rescue Draculaura and foil Moanika's plans.
Filled with moments of fear, friendship, acceptance and courage, the gripping story offers a valuable lesson in embracing and celebrating difference. In addition, the existence of Monster High becomes a beacon of hope for all hidden monsters from around the world, creating a much bigger and braver Monster High community. The film ends with the presentation of a raucous party to celebrate their victory over Moanica and the opening of a school that proclaims, loud and clear, "Be yourself." Be unique. Be a monster.
Production
Key to the success of the project was the painstaking effort put into the animation and graphics. Due to the unique graphics similar to the Monster High universe, the animators had to use advanced technologies that allow children to experience a surreal world and show many of their favorite characters in their bright color palettes. Lavishness in detail and creative imagination helped to introduce a variety of characters with varying anatomy and fashion sense. In addition, great attention was paid to the soundtrack to further capture and enrich the energetic, haunting and fun atmosphere of Monster High.
One of the biggest challenges the team faced was finding a compelling storyline without losing the cute and fun vibe of the Monster High universe. The storyline had to resonate with both old and new audiences while promoting a sense of nostalgia and innovation. Therefore, the production process was a harmonious fusion of the main elements of the franchise and new ingredients, opening the doors of Monster High to more young fans around the world. The result was an immersive and engaging story with visually mesmerizing graphics that will surely transport the viewer into a uniquely fun world of monstrous camaraderie.
Release
Reception
Critics praised the film's lively animation and charming vocal performances that brought the characters to life. The film's messages of acceptance and being true to yourself are expertly woven into the plot and have a positive impact on young viewers. Critics have also praised the film for its depth, noting that it goes beyond costumes and high school drama to deal with serious matters in a kid-friendly way. Parents especially appreciated the family aspect of the film. The humor is endearing to adults and children alike, and the lessons are impactful without being over the top.
Despite some negative reviews regarding the changes to the original storyline, the film overall managed to delight its audience and refresh the Monster High universe.
Cultural impact
At a time when kids are increasingly encouraged to fit in rather than stand out, Monster High delivers a powerful message that challenges this uninspired attitude. Every character in their universe, from the vampire cheerleader Draculaura to the diva-like werewolf Clawdeen Wolf, is created with unique traits that they pride themselves on and celebrate rather than suppress.
The film advocates for inclusion, equality and acceptance in creating Monster High, a school where every student, regardless of background, can feel at home and be valued. He deconstructs the stereotypes associated with common horror characters like Dracula, werewolves, zombies and puts them in a positive light. This aspect includes engaging and educating children about the importance of accepting and respecting people's differences.
It's a paradigm shift from the decades of "princess" culture that has dominated the children's toy market, where girls are conditioned to believe they have to look and act a certain way. Monster High, on the other hand, encourages everyone to discover their individual identities and thrive on being different.
Always subverting conventional beauty expectations, Monster High promotes body positivity by showcasing strong, independent women of all body shapes. It definitely models positivity, trust and true friendship, which demystifies the culture of competition often seen in mainstream children's fiction.
Overall, the film's cultural impact cannot be overlooked. It breaks cultural norms and promotes a more diverse, inclusive and acceptable message for today's society. This is a film that empowers and inspires the next generation to delve into their own uniqueness and be their own heroes.