Channeling Those Goonies Spirits
by Christian De Matteo

Super

Being the special, press kinda-guy I am, I got to a sneak screening of Monster House last week.  I was curious about it, but, frankly, probably would have waited till my little sister wanted to go if I hadn't gotten the tickets.

I should have expected more.  The teaming up of Zemekis and Spielberg producing this film, knocked it flat out of the park.  Directed by Gil Kenan, Monster House is a helluva ride.  Filled with that Goonies spirit, we haven't seen in movies in quite some time, the movie tells the tale of three mostly good kids, who aren't afraid of a little mischief if it means adventure.  Not your usual sanitized childrens-fare, Monster House is funny, irreverrant and clever throughout.  While a good amount of disbelief must be suspended to truly enjoy the flick, who wouldn't expect that already while watching a haunted, walking, taunting house movie.

The kids are the heart of the movie, right down to the little fat boy who I kept expecting to break into the truffly shuffle.  Our hero is a skinny, borderline nerdy boy who no one believes about the evil nature of the house.  His fat friend is a goofball with a good heart and raging hormones. And enter, the cute, clever, sarcastic little girl who's smarter than both the boys.  Together they gear up like Ghostbusters and take on the house.

The dialogue is funny.  The kids are kids, the teens are teens, and the adults are appropriately humorous.  This is a kids empowerment flick like we used to have in the '80s before we were terrified that are real kids might emulate the movies and start thinking for themselves, or doing stupid things because we've forgotten to teach them that reality and film don't always match up.  Monster House is a real accomplishment, a fun, witty, exciting and occasionally jump-worthy kids scary flick... one that real kids can identify with and enjoy.