Showing posts with label series: monster high. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series: monster high. Show all posts
April 27, 2018
Monster High: Adventures of the Ghoul Squad
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Spinning off the reboot of Monster High, this follows the girls as they continue to "rescue" more monsters. The animation is much more sloppy and the episodes are extremely short given they were released directly on a YouTube Kids app. Still enjoyable for kids who like the series, but not really anything too exciting. While a lot of familiar faces are brought back on stage (Operetta, Rochelle, etc) there are also some new ghouls and none of the rescued monsters ever seem to stick around for much of a part after their initial introduction to Monster High.
March 20, 2017
Monster High 15: Electrified
Monster High 15: Electrified (2017)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This directly follows the events of the Welcome to Monster High reboot. Personally, I liked the original art better than this new almost clay-like 3D version, but this is what they're rolling with now. Cleo is noticeable nicer, though Clawdeen is still a fashionista, Draculaura is still the social butterfly, and Frankie is still the organized one, though she also has a heavy dose of scientist added in this time around that was more Ghoulia's territory before (who so far we haven't seen at all). This time there's a lot of electricity flying around, hence the title. Monster High is followed up by Clawdeen's new salon, and despite Moanica's attempts to ruin everything, it's a big hit with the "normies." Now if this new band could figure out exactly what it is they're doing.
February 9, 2017
Monster High
Monster High (2010)
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The episodes are super short, so it's hard to get much out of them. On the other hand, that means that an entire season isn't that long and makes a more cohesive story as a whole since there aren't a dozen stories going on at once. There's always the relationship side drama, but in general the school functions revolve around either those relationships, fear leading (cheer leading for monsters), school sports, or learning about new monsters.
February 1, 2017
Monster High 14: Welcome to Monster High
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
To start off with, this art style is different from both the TV series and the other previous movies. It also completely goes against the previously established story line. According to the very first movie, New Ghoul at School, Frankie doesn't meet any of the other Monster High students until she transfers in as a new student, including Draculaura. This movie would have you believe that the girls were friends in their younger years and actually first came up with the idea of Monster High and even built it themselves (with help from Draculaura's father and Clawdeen's family). It would also suggest that Cleo is the first to attend Monster High and not her sister, despite her talk of "when I was at Monster High" in other movies. There's also the glaringly obvious fact that Draculaura has her powers already at a young age.... yet she's not supposed to get those until the events of Frights, Camera, Action! Cute movie with some good messages for young kids, but really doesn't fit with the rest of the series at all.
Monster High 08: 13 Wishes
Monster High 08: 13 Wishes (2013)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Howleen finds a magic lamp and takes the easy street to becoming popular. Turns out it might not be all that she wished for. Luckily, the main ghoul squad figures out what's going on and turns things around just in the nick of time. Not being popular (and not having Deuce) really seem to take a toll on Chloe, though it's nice to see that she has a worse reaction to potentially losing her boyfriend than her popularity.
Monster High 01: New Ghoul at School
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The story of Frankie Stein joining Monster High when she's literally 16 days old. It's done in a matching style to the TV series, including the opening credits. For being a central character surrounded by friends, she apparently has a very rough start at school.
Monster High 12: Boo York, Boo York
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This song really focuses on the musical aspect as it tells it's story. We see the most of Cleo's sister, Nefera, of any movie or episode previously. As usual when the de Nile family shoes up, Cleo's relationship with Deuce's relationship is questioned and put to the test. We also see our first reference to Ever After High as we see more of the comet occupant who shows up at the end.
Monster High 10: Freaky Fusion
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Frankie is feeling down that she doesn't know about her scare-history. It makes sense why she doesn't after events play out. How many ghouls can claim going back to the past to meet their grandfather before their parents are even made? Frankie does a lot of teaching of her own, which plays a huge role in how her family will literally come to life. Rather touching how the entire school rallies to save Frankie in the end after she gives everything to save her own friends.
Monster High 09: Frights, Camera, Action!
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Draculaura goes on a grand adventure as she discovers she's not the true vampire queen as she's been told and decides to find Elissabat, the true missing queen. Succeeding in her task may help her gain her missing vampire powers while also learning something about herself and how important it is to stand up for what is right.
Monster High 07.5: From Fear to Eternity
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is separate on the movie list, but is actually a short that was included with Scaris: City of Fright. It tells how the ghouls get home.... with a lot of detours thanks to Clawdeen's design book. You get to see some power use, a lot of sights, and a lot of ghostly renamed places.
Monster High 07: Scaris: City of Frights
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Clawdeen and her friends go to Scaris when she gets an opportunity to study under Madame Ghostier. We meet Skelita and Jinafire for the first time as they compete with Clawdeen for the apprenticeship. Meanwhile the rest of the ghouls hit the town with Rochelle as their guide. Of course it wouldn't be a Monster High adventure without Toralei trying to mess things up. As usual, Abbey is the ghoul who cuts through things with sometimes overly simplified logic (that usually makes the most sense and is hilarious at the same time). Her interactions with Heath especially make her enjoyable (literally fire and ice pairing there).
Monster High 02: Fright On!
Monster High 02: Fright On! (2014)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Headmistress Bloodgood brings Belfry Prep (all-vampire school) and Crescent Moon High (all-werewolf school) into Monster High. The catch is that there's some bad blood between the vampires and werewolves, made all the more obvious as the new students are determined to break up Draculaura and Clawd. Add to the twist, Bloodgood isn't actually Bloodgood through much of the film and Van Hellscream isn't so happy about the merger. Good thing the ghouls are pretty smart and catch on quick.
Monster High 13: Great Scarrier Reef
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Lagoona gets pulled back under the sea in order to save her spiritual sea plant. Things go a little awry when several of her friends get pulled into the whirlpool with her (and one not-so-friend). We meet Kala Mer'ri for the first time as we learn more about Lagoona's past and her group of friends learn what it really is to swim.
Monster High 06: Friday Night Frights
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
It's up to the girls to win the Skulltimate Roller Maze Championship and literally save their school from falling apart. This is made even more difficult by the fact that everyone thinks it's a "boy's sport." They'll find the only known female Skulltimate challenger as they work on training and find another unexpected ally on their biggest rival. Lucky they know the gargoyles (and a certain annoying cat) can't resist trying to cheat. A little confusing with the order movie since this is when Rebecca Steam is first brought back to life, but we also see her in Ghouls Rule.
Monster High 05: Ghouls Rule!
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Frankie is determined to prove that "norms" and mosters can get along just fine and celebrate a truly great Halloween together. This is made even more difficult by Van Hellscream's sister originally being out to capture the monsters and frame them for vandalism they didn't commit. With the help of some new friends, prejudice will be reevaluated and a new understanding may be reached between the school and the neighboring town.
Monster High 04: Escape from Skull Shores
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Frankie takes center stage as the students get stranded on Skull Shores with a human who wants to exploit their differences and catch another monster on the island. Monster High gets two new students out of the ordeal, one of which will be sticking near Frankie for a good while from the sound of things.
Monster High 03: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love?
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Draculaura is one of the main characters (or "ghouls") of the series. Her birthday is literally Valentines Day (apparently the holiday was created for her and named after her then-boyfriend because of her birthday, or so the movie claims). This birthday is supposed to have some number significance, leaving a lot of pressure on her boyfriend and friends to create the perfect birthday party.... which all nearly goes down the drain when her ex shows up at school (the one who created the holiday). It's a lot of love drama at the core.
January 24, 2017
Monster High 11: Haunted
Monster High 11: Haunted (2015)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I knew nothing about this series originally except that it had some odd looking dolls in the toy isle. I'll admit to some curiosity after my daughter apparently picked a Monster High movie out of any children's selection she was offered at the store with Nana. Guess it shouldn't have been such a big surprise then, when we got a free movie rental on Fandango thanks to T-Mobile Tuesdays and she picked this one. Despite the idea that all the characters are different types of monsters and it's supposed to be "spooky" in some sense, it's also very cutesy and done in a cheerful way that makes it just about anything but scary. Makes sense I suppose given these are the same manufacturers of the Barbie lines. I'm not sure what I expected from this series, but I don't think it was what it ended up being. Not so concerned about my toddler wanting to watch this series anymore.
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