Monster House
Monster House was an Australian reality/comedy television series broadcast on the Nine Network. Debuting on 12 February 2008, the program was hosted by Bernard Curry, brother of Stephen and Andrew Curry. The show centred around the Webb family, played by actors Rebel Wilson, Celia Ireland, Travis Cotton, Jody Kennedy, Julie Herbert and Glenn Butcher, who act as a fictional family in a house purpose-built with hidden cameras to capture their performances and those of the unsuspecting guests who get brought into the family's "web". The show debuted with an unimpressive 793,000 viewers tuning in. It was pulled from schedules after its second episode, and axed by the network the following day. Nine had commissioned ten unaired episodes of the show, which were filmed in December 2007 and January 2008. Nine stated it would air the remaining episodes later in the year, and did so as counter-programming during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Insights
Plot Summary
On Halloween, three friends discover that a neighbor's house is actually a sentient, monstrous entity that devours anything that comes near it. They must find a way to destroy the house before it consumes them and the entire neighborhood. Using their wits and bravery, they embark on a dangerous mission to confront the evil dwelling within.
Critical Reception
Monster House was a critical and commercial success, praised for its innovative use of motion capture technology and its blend of genuine scares with humor. Critics lauded its dark, atmospheric tone and its surprising emotional depth, making it a standout in animated horror.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its groundbreaking motion-capture animation and dark, spooky atmosphere.
- Appreciated for successfully balancing scares with humor, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.
- Commended for its surprisingly mature themes and effective storytelling within the animated genre.
Google audience: Audience reviews frequently highlight the film's ability to be genuinely frightening while remaining accessible and entertaining for younger viewers. Many enjoyed the unique concept and the technical achievements in animation, though some found the story a bit predictable.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Fun Fact
The filmmakers used a new motion-capture technology that allowed actors to perform their roles in real-time, projecting their performances directly onto the animated characters, a groundbreaking technique for its time.
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