Hotel Transylvania 2 3D

In Hotel Transylvania 2, everything seems to be changing for the better. Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac (Sandler) is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis (Blinkoff), isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis (Gomez) is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny (Samberg)—and in for a major cultural shock of her own—“Vampa” Drac enlists his friends Frank (James), Murray (Key), Wayne (Buscemi), and Griffin (Spade) to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp. But little do they know that Drac’s grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad (Brooks) is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood—and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania—things are going to get batty! (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Genndy Tartakovsky; commentary with Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel and Allen Covert; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 1.85:1 1080p MVC 3D picture is terrific, exhibiting a color palette that is wonderfully vibrant, with rich and warm hues that endlessly pop. The variety of colors is visually stimulating with deep, solid blacks in contrast. Even shadows are nicely nuanced in colorful hues. Resolution across the CGI animation is excellent, with detail revealed in character features and textures. The 3D imagery exhibits superb depth and perspective that is natural in presence. Character volume and scale is effectively dimensional. The occasional out-of-screen effect is amusing and works well in the scheme of the storytelling. While the 2D version is terrific as well, there is simply nothing that would make it more preferable and pleasing a visual experience as the 3D version. In both, the imagery is absolutely pristine and colorful. This is a wonderful 3D presentation that is reference quality throughout. Exceptionally humorous! (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack features a wonderful, spatially dimensional orchestral score penned by former DEVO member Mark Mothersbaugh. The music spans the soundstage wide and deep and extends aggressively to the surounds. Atmospherics and sound effects are aggressively directonalized throughout the soundfield. The sound is often very dynamic with deep, extended sub-25 Hz bass in the .1 LFE channel during numerous segments and as well provides natural weight to the score. Nuances also are effectively produced. Clarity and fidelity are superb throughout. Monster and human dialogue is perfectly integrated spatially and is remarkable for an animation feature. This soundtrack is filled with endlessly entertaining sound effects and music that is certain to entertain. This is a reference-sound-quality presentation. (Gary Reber)