Starring Miia Harris, Nayah Damasen, Cici Balagot, and Salena Qureshi
Directed by Todd Holland
Music and Lyrics by various
The first Monster High movie was a roaring success, the number one family film on Nickelodeon and Paramount Plus during its debut week. It was such a massive hit, Nick greenlit a second film within weeks of the first film's release. Is this movie just as much fun as the first, or should it be cast out of school? Let's begin with "EekTok" videos relating the previous movie and how Clawdeen (Harris) has become famous since saving the school and find out...
The Story: On the first day back at class, were-cat Toralei Stripe (Qureshi) returns from a year-long trip to Scaris, France. She's stridently against witchcraft and non-monsters attending Monster High, having been attacked by witches while in Scaris. Clawdeen stands up to her, but she insists on protecting one's pack. Headmistress Bloodgood (Marci T. House) nominates Clawdeen and Toralei for prefect, the head of the school who sets an example for everyone else. Toralei intends to run on a platform of inclusiveness, but Clawdeen insists the school is for everyone.
Meanwhile, Draculaura (Damasen) has fallen for a handsome vampire named Ellis (Bonale Fambrini) who also does witchcraft. Witchcraft, however, is banned at the school after two witches attack Draculaura in her room. Clawdeen is now nervous about including witches in her campaign, offending Draculaura. Ellis turns out to have his own secrets. He asks Draculaura to join his coven. It's really his mother Zamara (Ana Ortiz) who is after Draculaura, hoping to use her and her magic to eliminate every vampire in the monster world!
The Song and Dance: I have to admit, I'm enjoying these films. They're a little bit better than Disney's similar ZOMBIES and Descendants, thanks to enjoyable characters and their detailed world. Qureshi is the best addition as the sassy Toralei, who having been burned by witches, believes they're all out to attack monster-kind. Frankie is just as adorable trying to control their newly downloaded powers, and Deuce, his fire-powered friend Heath (Justin Derickson), and Cleo DeNile (Jy Prishkulnick) all have more to do. The costumes and especially the makeup continue to do a decent job making the kids look like their toy counterparts.
Favorite Number: We open at school with "My Heart Goes Boom, Boom" as all of the kids describe being back after the summer. Draculaura and Ellis happily claim that the "Reason We've Got Magic" is to bring their warring clans together and make the monster world a better place. Clawdeen and Toralei claim "You Don't Know" what it's like to be an outsider. The three best friends come together to claim this is "Not How Our Story Goes," and if they fight, they fight together. "Monsters Are" is the big final number, as everyone embraces monsters and humans of all stripes and admits that one can find a friend anywhere.
What I Don't Like: The cliches run just as heavy here as they did in the first movie. You can predict pretty much everything that happens from a mile off, including what Ellis turns out to be, what Zamara's plot is, and who becomes prefict. Other characters still get short shrift, including zombie Ghoulia, Abbey Bomible the daughter of the Abominable Snowman, and half-ghost, half-human Demi Boovais, who adores Clawdeen. The "be yourself" morals continue to be pushed too hard; once again, this is not the place for subtlety.
The Big Finale: This is great Halloween party fare for 8 to 14-year-olds who are horror fans, collect the dolls, or are fans of Disney's ZOMBIES or Descendants.
Home Media: Currently streaming only. Free on Paramount Plus with a subscription
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