Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Explained

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Story:Genndy Tartakovsky
Producer:Alice Dewey Goldstone
Editing:Lynn Hobson
Music:Mark Mothersbaugh
Distributor:Amazon Studios (worldwide)
Sony Pictures Releasing (China)
Runtime:87 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$75 million[1]
Gross:$18.5 million[2] [3]

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (also known as Hotel Transylvania 4) is a 2022 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation and released by Amazon Studios. It is the fourth and final feature film in the Hotel Transylvania franchise and the sequel to (2018), the film was directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska (in their respective feature-length directorial debuts) from a screenplay by Amos Vernon, Nunzio Randazzo and Genndy Tartakovsky. It stars the voices of Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez (who also served as an executive producer alongside Tartakovsky and Michelle Murdocca), Kathryn Hahn, Jim Gaffigan, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Hull, Fran Drescher, Brad Abrell, Asher Blinkoff, Tyler "Ninja" Blevins and Zoe Berri. In the film, Dracula and Johnny (Hull and Samberg) team up to find a crystal in South America to turn themselves back into normal, before their transformations become permanent.

Plans for a fourth Hotel Transylvania film began in February 2019 and was announced to be released on December 22, 2021. Returning and new cast and crew members were announced soon after, and Mark Mothersbaugh, who composed the score for the first three installments, returned to score, in addition to original song performed by Yendry. Production took place remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned to be released theatrically in the United States on October 1, 2021, Sony Pictures Releasing cancelled the film's release plans and sold the film's distribution rights to Amazon Studios for $100 million, due to rising cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in the United States.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania was released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on January 14, 2022, and theatrically in China on April 3. The film received mixed reviews from critics with the Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus calling it "middling family viewing -- relatively painless, but overall rather uninspired". A spin-off series named Motel Transylvania is scheduled to premiere on Netflix in 2025.

Plot

During Hotel Transylvania's 125th anniversary celebration, Dracula is planning to retire and leave the hotel to Mavis and Johnny. Mavis overhears this and tells Johnny who excitedly tells Dracula his plans to renovate the hotel. Worried about Johnny ruining the hotel, Dracula lies to him saying that there is a "monster real-estate law" which only lets monsters own the hotel and instead falsely announces the expansion of the hotel with an extra bathroom.

Van Helsing decides to help Johnny by using a ray powered by a crystal that turns humans into monsters and monsters into humans. After testing it on his guinea pig Gigi, he uses it on Johnny who turns into a dragon. Learning about Johnny's monster form, Dracula tries to turn him back to normal but accidentally turns himself into a human and breaks the ray's crystal. Van Helsing tells Dracula and Johnny that they can turn themselves back to normal by getting another crystal in the Cave of the Reflexión in South America, so Dracula and Johnny set off to do so.

Dracula's friends Frank, Wayne, Griffin and Murray end up becoming humans as well, as a result of drinking from a fountain that was contaminated by the ray. After learning about Dracula and Johnny's whereabouts on the news, Mavis and Ericka confront Van Helsing, but they are attacked by Gigi, where Van Helsing discovers that the effects of the ray are unstable, as the monster transformation will keep mutating until the subject becomes a mindless beast. The rest of the gang head to South America to find Dracula and Johnny.

While traveling through South America, Dracula and Johnny begin to bond. During a camp-out, Johnny teaches Dracula about how if he only sees the worst in things, he’ll miss out on the best parts. Dracula begins to confess that he lied about the monster real-estate law, but the rest of the group finds them. Things turn sour when Dracula admits his deception regarding passing over the hotel to Mavis and Johnny. This prompts Johnny to believe Dracula doesn’t consider him family and to mutate further before running away.

Mavis goes to find Johnny while Dracula and the rest of the gang go to the Cave of the Reflexión. Mavis finds Johnny, but the transformation has turned him very volatile. She leads him to the cave where they finally find the crystal. When Mavis tries to turn Johnny back to normal, nothing happens. Dracula lets himself get captured by Johnny and makes a speech about how he now sees him as family. This brings Johnny back to his senses, and he is returned to normal.

With Dracula and his friends back to normal, they return home only to find the hotel has been destroyed by Gigi. After turning Gigi back to normal, Dracula decides to let Mavis and Johnny rebuild the hotel to their liking. One year later, Mavis and Johnny have rebuilt and modernized the hotel.

Voice cast

See main article: List of Hotel Transylvania characters.

Production

In February 2019, Sony Pictures Animation announced that a fourth film had been in development.[8] [9] In October 2019, Genndy Tartakovsky confirmed that he would not direct the film.[10] In September 2020, Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon, a storyboard artist on the first two Hotel Transylvania sequels and a former crew member of Rocko's Modern Life, CatDog, SpongeBob SquarePants and Adventure Time, respectively, were confirmed to be the film's directors, while Tartakovsky would write the screenplay and serve as an executive producer alongside Selena Gomez, who voices Mavis in the series.[11] [12] Production took place remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

In April 2021, the film's title was revealed to be Hotel Transylvania: Transformania and it was confirmed that it would be the final film in the franchise.[14] That same month, Sony confirmed that Adam Sandler would not reprise his role as Dracula.[15] The role was given to Brian Hull after voicing the character in the short film Monster Pets,[16] while Kathryn Hahn, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, and Keegan-Michael Key were confirmed to reprise their roles. The following month, it was announced that Brad Abrell had replaced Kevin James as the voice of Frankenstein. Lynn Hobson served as editor.[17]

Music

Mark Mothersbaugh returned to score the film, having previously scored the first three installments.[18] The soundtrack was released on January 14, 2022 by Sony Classical.[19] Additionally, the original end credits song Love Is Not Hard to Find were written by Morien van der Tang, Faried Arween Jhauw, Glen Faria & Jheynner Argot) and performed by Yendry and released on January 14, 2022.[20]

Release

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania was released by Amazon Studios on Prime Video, on January 14, 2022.[21] In February 2019, Sony Pictures Releasing scheduled the film for release on December 22, 2021.[22] In April 2020, the film was moved up to August 6, 2021.[23] In April 2021, the film was moved up again to July 23, 2021.[24] In June 2021, the film was rescheduled to October 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]

In August 2021, Sony Pictures cancelled the film's theatrical plans and entered discussions to sell the distribution rights to a streaming service, in response to the rising cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in the United States.[26] [27] On August 16, 2021, it was reported that Amazon Studios was in negotiations to acquire the distribution rights to the film for $100 million from Sony and would release it exclusively on Amazon Prime Video worldwide, excluding China, where Sony would release it theatrically on an undetermined date. Sony would also retain home entertainment and linear television rights to the film.[28] [29] On October 6, 2021, Amazon set a release date of January 14, 2022.

The film had a limited theatrical release on February 25, 2022.[30] On March 7, 2022, it was announced that the film would have a theatrical release in China beginning April 3 of that year.[31]

Home media

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania was released on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on August 15, 2023 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.[32]

Reception

Critical response

[33]

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rates it 2.5 out of 5 stars, writing "Hotel Transylvania: Transformania never gets as complex as its moral center suggests, therefore never really rising above a wholesome, exuberant amusement ride."[34] Tomris Laffly of Variety gave the film a mixed review, writing, "The result is yet another wearisome tale that inelegantly depicts themes like acceptance, understanding and diversity within a saga that has always been rather clumsy with its messaging around such weighty topics."[35] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review, writing, "Never much to write home about in the script department — Tartakovsky excels in more stylish, less verbal fare like Samurai JackTransformania remains sufficiently goofy-sweet to please its target demo; those who find the humor toothless should at least appreciate the distinctive animation, which can be as energetically wacky as classic Looney Tunes."[36]

Accolades

The film was nominated in two categories for "Outstanding Special Class Animated Program" and "Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for an Animated Program" at the 1st Children's and Family Emmy Awards.[37] At the 2023 Kids' Choice Awards, Selena Gomez won the award for "Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (Female)".[38]

Future

Although Transformania was made as the final entry to the franchise, in June 2024, Motel Transylvania, a television series set to debut on Netflix in 2025, was announced.[39] [40] The series is set to focus on Dracula and Mavis opening a motel.[41] [42]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sony Sells 'Hotel Transylvania 4' To Amazon For $100 Million. Forbes. August 16, 2021. September 4, 2022. September 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904233405/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/08/16/sony-may-sell-hotel-transylvania-4-to-amazon-prime-for-over-100-million/. live.
  2. Web site: Daily Box Office > China. 2022-05-20. entgroup. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180227085021/http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/daily/. live.
  3. Web site: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. 2022-05-20. The Numbers. May 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230523025840/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hotel-Transylvania-Transformania-(2021)#tab=summary. live.
  4. Web site: Hannett . Michelle . April 11, 2021 . Celebrate National Pet Day 2021 With Monster Pets: A 'Hotel Transylvania' Short . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210424190649/https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2021/04/celebrate-national-pet-day-22021-with-monster-pets-a-hotel-transylvania-short/ . April 24, 2021 . April 13, 2021 . We Are Movie Geeks.com.
  5. Web site: Genndy Tartakovsky's Vision For 'Primal' Season 2? Create The Lovechild Of Bugs Bunny And 'Heavy Metal' Magazine . Decider . Charles . Bramesco . July 21, 2022 . September 20, 2023.
  6. Web site: Verboven . Jos . Brainvoyager . May 17, 2021 . Trailer Park: 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212201/https://scifi.radio/2021/05/17/trailer-park-hotel-transylvania-transformania/ . June 2, 2021 . May 29, 2021 . Scifi.radio.
  7. Web site: Malkin . Marc . December 10, 2021 . Twitch Streamer Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins Cast in 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' (EXCLUSIVE) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211231054948/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/twitch-ninja-hotel-transylvania-4-transformania-1235130446/ . December 31, 2021 . December 10, 2021 . Variety.
  8. Web site: Donnelly . Matt . February 26, 2019 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4' to Hit Theaters in December 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190929121923/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/hotel-transylvania-4-to-hit-theaters-in-december-2021-1203150290/ . September 29, 2019 . September 19, 2019 . Variety.
  9. Web site: Mancuso . Vinnie . February 26, 2019 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4' In the Works at Sony Pictures Animation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210112124622/https://collider.com/hotel-transylvania-4-release-date/ . January 12, 2021 . June 23, 2021 . Collider.
  10. Web site: Trumbore . Dave . October 4, 2019 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4': Genndy Tartakovsky Confirms He Won't Be in the Director's Chair . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191007072722/https://collider.com/hotel-transylvania-4-director-genndy-tartakovsky/ . October 7, 2019 . October 23, 2019 . Collider.
  11. Web site: Donnelly . Matt . September 17, 2020 . Selena Gomez Upped to Executive Producer for 'Hotel Transylvania 4', Returns as Female Lead (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200919201123/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/selena-gomez-hotel-transylvania-4-executive-producer-star-1234773619/ . September 19, 2020 . September 17, 2020 . Variety.
  12. Web site: Dela Paz . Maggie . September 18, 2020 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4' Set for 2021 Debut with Selena Gomez Returning . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210325131001/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1149155-hotel-transylvania-4-still-set-for-2021-debut . March 25, 2021 . November 17, 2020 . ComingSoon.net.
  13. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . May 8, 2020 . How Animated Pics Like 'Tom & Jerry', 'SpongeBob Movie', 'Sing 2', Skydance's 'Luck' & More Are Working Through The COVID-19 Crisis . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200513030248/https://deadline.com/2020/05/animated-movies-coronavirus-production-tom-and-jerry-spongebob-scoob-skydance-illumination-1202928961/ . May 13, 2020 . January 12, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  14. Web site: Dick . Jeremy . April 9, 2021 . 'Monster Pets: A Hotel Transylvania' Short Arrives in Celebration of Pets Day This Sunday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210412192325/https://movieweb.com/hotel-transylvania-4-transformania-july-release-date/ . April 12, 2021 . April 12, 2021 . MovieWeb.
  15. Web site: Mendelson . Scott . April 9, 2021 . Box Office: How 'Hotel Transylvania' Became One Of Hollywood's Leggiest Franchises . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210412231716/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2021/04/09/box-office-can-hotel-transylvania-remain-hollywoods-leggiest-franchise/?sh=2cadda44323a . April 12, 2021 . April 12, 2021 . Forbes.
  16. Web site: Dick . Jeremy . May 15, 2021 . 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' Gets New Teaser Footage, Trailer Coming Monday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210515183222/https://movieweb.com/hotel-transylvania-4-teaser-footage/ . May 15, 2021 . May 16, 2021 . MovieWeb.
  17. Web site: Hobson . Lynn . Lynn Hobson Lead Editor at Sony Pictures Animation . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210805183432/https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=ripf&trkInfo=AQGB6ypeDGvdZgAAAXsXmHLAPutRLkbFwdGgNvXPN3DKWol3y9D4rLICngmRiDkKnJM58Cw6RWCy7JPKPAc2YdKpv8tXluyJJskrebdF6m-Vuwsejy7YYUqmKXh0uc446WhYQ8g%3D&originalReferer=&sessionRedirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Flynn-hobson-3a24317%3F . August 5, 2021 . July 15, 2021 . Linkedin.
  18. Web site: June 18, 2021 . Mark Mothersbaugh Scoring 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformia' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210703000702/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2021/06/18/mark-mothersbaugh-scoring-hotel-transylvania-transformia/ . July 3, 2021 . June 28, 2021 . Film Music Reporter.com.
  19. Web site: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Soundtrack Album Details . Film Music Reporter . December 21, 2022 . January 13, 2022 . December 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221104930/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/01/13/hotel-transylvania-transformania-soundtrack-album-details/ . live .
  20. Web site: Yendry's Original End Credits Song Love Is Not Hard to Find from Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Released . Film Music Reporter . December 21, 2022 . January 14, 2022 . December 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221104932/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/01/14/yendrys-original-song-love-is-not-hard-to-find-from-hotel-transylvania-transformania-released/ . live .
  21. Web site: Aurthur . Kate . October 6, 2021 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4' Heads To Amazon, Sets January Release Date . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211006194513/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/hotel-transylvania-4-amazon-sony-january-premiere-date-1235081967/ . October 6, 2021 . October 6, 2021 . Variety.
  22. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . February 26, 2019 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4' To Open Doors Christmas Season 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190806050310/https://deadline.com/2019/02/hotel-transylvania-4-christmas-2021-1202565733/ . August 6, 2019 . September 19, 2019 . Deadline Hollywood.
  23. Web site: McClintock . Pamela . Couch . Aaron . April 24, 2020 . Spider-Man Sequel Delays Release to November 2021 Amid Sony Date Shuffle . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200424223759/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/spider-man-sequel-delays-release-november-2021-sony-date-shuffle-1291805 . April 24, 2020 . October 9, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  24. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . April 9, 2021 . 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' Opening Earlier This Summer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409151604/https://deadline.com/2021/04/hotel-transylvania-transformania-opening-earlier-this-summer-1234730969/ . April 9, 2021 . April 9, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  25. Web site: Shafer . Ellise . June 18, 2021 . 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' Moves to October . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210618214630/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/hotel-transylvania-transformania-delay-october-1235000545/ . June 18, 2021 . June 18, 2021 . Variety.
  26. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . August 12, 2021 . 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' Delayed Until October; Exhibition Buzzes That 'Hotel Transylvania 4' Also On The Move – Update . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210815153837/https://deadline.com/2021/08/venom-let-there-be-carnage-hotel-transylvania-transformania-release-date-changes-1234813578/ . August 15, 2021 . August 12, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  27. Web site: Perine . Aaron . August 12, 2021 . Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Possibly Headed to Streaming . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210812181949/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/hotel-transylvania-transformania-streaming-possibly/ . August 12, 2021 . August 12, 2021 . ComicBook.com.
  28. Web site: Vary . Adam B. . August 16, 2021 . 'Hotel Transylvania 4' Skipping Theaters as Sony Nears Over $100 Million Deal With Amazon (Exclusive) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210816210600/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/hotel-transylvania-4-amazon-streaming-rights-sony-1235042371/ . August 16, 2021 . August 16, 2021 . Variety.
  29. Web site: Anderson . Jenna . August 16, 2021 . Sony Skips Theaters With Hotel Transylvania 4, Streaming on Amazon Instead . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210816210600/https://comicbook.com/horror/news/sony-movies-skip-theaters-hotel-transylvania-4-streaming-amazon/ . August 16, 2021 . August 16, 2021 . ComicBook.com.
  30. Sony Pictures Animation. Sony Pictures Animation. SonyAnimation. 1497330564294086658. A sweet surprise – #HotelTransylvania: Transformania will play in select theaters across the US for a special one-week run, starting today..
  31. Web site: 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' Set For April Theatrical Release In China. Tartaglione. Nancy. Deadline Hollywood. March 7, 2022. March 11, 2022. March 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220311182232/https://deadline.com/2022/03/hotel-transylvania-transformania-china-release-date-theatrical-1234972581/. live.
  32. Web site: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania DVD Release Date August 15, 2023 . 2023-08-15 . DVDs Release Dates . en . August 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230817060328/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9594/hotel-transylvania-transformania . live .
  33. hotel-transylvania-transformania . movie . Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Reviews . January 31, 2022.
  34. Web site: Navarro . Meagan . . [Review] Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Ends Franchise With Final Lighthearted Monster Adventure ]. January 10, 2022 . November 6, 2023 . November 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231106025415/https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3697846/review-hotel-transylvania-transformania-concludes-franchise-final-lighthearted-monster-adventure-embargoed-til-1-10-11am-ct/ . live .
  35. Web site: 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania' Review: Monster Toon Franchise Hits New Lows With Adam Sandler-Less Sequel. Variety. Tomris Laffly. January 10, 2022. November 11, 2023. January 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230130155801/https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/hotel-transylvania-transformania-review-1235150128/. live.
  36. Web site: 'Hotel Transylvania: Transformania': Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. John DeFore. January 10, 2022. November 11, 2023. February 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206105725/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hotel-transylvania-transformania-film-review-1235072014/. live.
  37. Web site: Netflix Leads Nomination Tally for First-Ever Children's & Family Emmys. Variety. Michael. Schneider. November 1, 2022. November 1, 2022. November 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221108022519/https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/childrens-amp-family-emmys-nominatons-netflix-1235419791/. live.
  38. Web site: Nordyke . Kimberly . March 4, 2023 . Wednesday, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles Among Winners at 2023 Kids' Choice Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305024337/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ . March 5, 2023 . March 5, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  39. Web site: "Motel Transylvania" Animated Series Will Continue the Adventures of Drac & Mavis. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240606232118/https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3815312/motel-transylvania-animated-series-will-continue-the-adventures-of-drac-mavis/. live.
  40. Web site: Hotel Transylvania Spinoff Series Announced by Netflix. ComicBook. Charlie. Ridgely. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240606215024/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/hotel-transylvania-spinoff-netflix-series-dracula/. live.
  41. Web site: Timothy Olyphant To Voice Terminator In Animated Netflix Series. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240606212044/https://deadline.com/2024/06/timothy-olyphant-terminator-animated-netflix-series-1235960994/. live.
  42. Web site: Timothy Olyphant to Star in Netflix's 'Terminator Zero'; Plus 'Plankton' Movie and 'Motel Transylvania' Among Animation Slate. Variety. Carolyn. Giardina. Jordan. Moreau. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. June 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240606212018/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/timothy-olyphant-terminator-zero-netflix-1236027699/. live.