Starring Miia Harris, Cici Balagot, Nayah Damasen, and Case Walker
Directed by Todd Holland
Music and Lyrics by Matthew Tishler, Jeannie Lurie, and Andrew Underberg
Mattel's Monster High debuted in 2010 as a fashion doll line based around the children of famous horror and science fiction characters. The line was an instant sensation with its beautifully detailed dolls and their hilarious personalities delighting horror fans and young girls alike. They continued in an online animated show and a series of direct-to-DVD animated films until 2016. The first attempt at reviving the line didn't go over very well, ending in 2018. Mattel tried again 2020 with another new doll continuity and a new animated series. This movie is the second major media release for the third generation, and the first live-action movie in the series. Does it do better with its scary school kids than the Disney franchise Z.O.M.B.I.E.S did? Let's begin with what seems like an ordinary kid joining other teens skateboarding and find out...
The Story: Clawdeen Wolf (Harris) is half-werewolf, half-human, the result of a marriage between her human dad Apollo (Scotch Ellis Loring) and her late werewolf mother. She's excited to study at Monster High with other monsters like her mother did, but the school fears humans and doesn't allow them on the grounds. Clawdeen tries to keep her human side hidden, but she does eventually tell her roommates, sweet and newly-built Frankie Stein (Balagot) and aloof Draculaura (Damasen), the daughter of Dracula.
After their teacher Mr. Kronos (Kyle Selig) tells them about Edward "Eddie" Hyde, a half-human student who was expelled and later killed by humans, Clawdeen becomes determined to find his lab and the formula he created that could make him a full monster. Frankie and Draculaura, who has her own secrets, helps her out. Meanwhile, Clawdeen is starting to fall for Deuce Gorgon (Walker), which doesn't amuse his ex-girlfriend and mummy queen of the school Cleo DeNile (Jy Prishkulknik) one bit. Even after she does find the potion, Clawdeen wonders if taking it is worth losing a part of her, and if being two partly human is really so bad.
The Song and Dance: While this one does have a lot in common with Z.O.M.B.I.E.S, it's also less bright and shiny-happy than Disney's horror parables. My favorite character by far was non-binary Frankie Stein. They are a literal doll who may have the knowledge of great inventors in their brain, but finds they have a lot to learn about friendship. Balagot is too adorable playing Frankie as the naive newcomer who is brilliant and loyal to a fault. Walker also does well as Deuce Gorgon, who reminds Clawdeen that there's far worse abilities out there than turning into a human...like being able to turn people into stone by looking at them. I also love the costumes and makeup that do a decent job making the kids resemble their fashion doll counterparts.
Favorite Number: We don't get our first number until almost ten minutes in, but it's the jubilant "We are Monster High" as Clawdeen - and the audience - meets her fellow Monster High students and faculty. "Coming Out of the Dark" introduces Clawdeen to her roommates and to Deuce, along with her attraction to him. "Three of Us" and "Triple Up" are Clawdeen, Draculaura, and Frankie's big best-buddy trio songs. The first is heard when they're getting ready to find the ingredients, the second after they're attacked.
Kronos (to the dismay of his students) sings his lesson about how Eddie Hyde didn't have a "True Monster Heart" and was expelled because of it. The "Good Newz Girls," several female students, provide "Here I Am" and "Spark." Deuce tells Clawdeen how much he appreciates her "Trust," even as she tries to get venom from the snakes on his hair. In the finale, when confronted by Headless Headmistress Bloodgood (Marci T. House), Clawdeen finally admits that she has "No Apologies" for who she is.
What I Don't Like: First of all, I don't know much about the original Monster High films and books, but apparently there were quite a few changes for this third re-release. Clawdeen was originally full monster, Deuce stayed Cleo's boyfriend, Draculaura was a lot more upbeat, and a lot of characters had accents who don't have them here. I'm more concerned about the "be yourself" morals being just slightly less obvious than the very similar plot in Z.O.M.B.I.E.S, the script that runs with every mad scientist cliche in the book, and the so-so music and unorganized dance routines.
The Big Finale: If your have an 8 to 14 year old girl who loves the doll line and cartoon show or is a fan of the similar Z.O.M.B.I.E.S, she may have a howling good time with this one.
Home Media: It's on DVD and streaming, the latter at Paramount Plus.
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