Monster Mia

EmojiTalks2.5

Better than Digger (I have not seen Digger).

Max C.2.5

A watchable if aggravating little palate cleanser for a few weeks of remotely fresh animation. Frequently amusing, earnestly silly and visually has a lot of personality with its art direction and Mia’s Autism Vision (formerly titled Katie Vision), so they’re making some progress. But even when they’re following Sony’s recipe, these Euro CG studios will seemingly never, ever have the sauce.And can we please, for heaven’s sake, please cool it with the “girl whose best friends are a conventionally handsome boy and a fat boy who farts a lot” formula, please? Please?

RazorRex3.5

I've been anticipating this movie since the trailer was released, and I was lucky enough to catch it at my local Regal theater. After finally seeing it, I'm happy to say it was worth the wait. The film is a delightful blend of Hotel Transylvania and The Owl House. Speaking of the latter, I can't help but wonder if Dana Terrace read the original books this film is based on, as there are striking parallels to The Owl House.Visually, this film is a treat, embracing a Spider-Verse-inspired animation style and featuring set pieces that range from pristine to gothic. The character designs are exceptional, and the film bursts with creative visuals.The film explores themes of identity, challenges prejudice, and celebrates individuality. Mia Monster, the titular lead, is an endearing, quirky protagonist who struggles to fit in at her human school but thrives at the monster academy. I also picked up on neurodivergent coding in her character, particularly traits associated with autism and ADHD. And her rat, Quinton, is a adorable!The supporting cast is serviceable but somewhat underdeveloped. While Oscar the zombie and Paprika the vampire—Mia’s monster friends—have their moments, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on their potential. The only supporting character who undergoes a meaningful arc is Penelope Knusperhaus, a mean-girl witch who starts as Mia’s rival but evolves into something more.Although the film uses familiar elements like the liar-revealed trope and the third-act breakup, my main criticism is the pacing; it would have benefited from a longer runtime.Overall, this is a spooky, entertaining film that's ideal for the season.