Old School Meets New School in ‘Hotel Transylvania 2’

The last decade has seen many movies centered on vampires. “Twilight” ushered in a fascination and while the hysteria from that has immensely died down, that doesn’t mean the love of the bloodsuckers has finished. A few years ago, “Hotel Transylvania” brought together an all-star cast and told the story of a young vamp wanting more out of life. Now the whole gang is back to take on a new adventure, offer up even more laughs and get even battier with “Hotel Transylvania 2.”

The first time around Count Dracula was this super protective father to Mavis. Then when a human named Johnny stumbles into his monster-only hotel and falls for Mavis, things take a turn. While he’s against the relationship at first, his heart grows and he not only accepts Johnny, but all humans. The hotel then opens its doors to everyone. Now it’s a few years down the road and Mavis is all grown up, married to Johnny and has her own child. He’s half-human and lacking some vampire abilities. This worries Dracula and while the parents are away, grandpa puts his grandson through “monster training.” The drama comes when Dracula’s old school dad, Vlad, walks into the picture.

Adam Sandler leads hilariously once again as Dracula and is joined by the legendary Mel Brooks as Vlad. Teen scene queen Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg have revived their roles too as the newly married couple with a baby. Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, David Spade and Keegan-Michael Key round out the cast. With players like this, one can’t help but walk away in stitches. In addition, while it’s an animated movie, it has many moments that older folks will appreciate, much like in the first.

Where “Minions” brought the silliness and “Home” and “Inside Out” packed in a lot of heart, “Hotel Transylvania 2″ finds a way to blend both of those elements to deliver a well-rounded movie everyone can enjoy.

“Hotel Transylvania 2” opens in theaters Sept. 25.