My very favorite film that I’ve seen, thus far, this summer is MONSTER HOUSE.

Why?

Well, there’s several reasons. For one – it’s just about the only original film that I’ve seen this summer. Every thing else is pretty much a remake, a sequel or a formulaic retread. Having said that, I’ve enjoyed some of those remakes, sequels and formulaic retreads… but it’s left me wanting something… something I didn’t know I wanted.

This is the 10th Anniversary of AICN this summer and I have really been looking hard for the film that I wanted to sort of say… THIS. THIS is the film that I’d like to introduce people to on this dubious anniversary. So, I’ve taken a look at a lot of what the summer had to offer and MONSTER HOUSE is the winner.

One: It’s a first time director that has just knocked it clear out of the park.

Two: It’s an advanced geeky flick made utilizing crazy technology.

Three: It isn’t filled with the biggest, most marketable stars.

Four: It reminds me of the best of 80s cinema, which was the decade of Geek Cinema.

Five: It’s a film that looking at the trailers – you’ve no idea what you’re getting yourself into.

When I saw this film, the day before I saw CARS – I have to say – I was curious. MONSTER HOUSE’s trailers have been interesting, but what the hell was a “Monster House” and how would they make the premise play as a film? I like the colors and I thought the character design reminded me of some of Richard Corben’s or William Stout’s work. But that plump kid on the porch ringing the doorbell – he seemed retarded. And I wasn’t sure if this was anything other than a bunch of needless computer graphics.

My worries were absolutely found less. Gil Kenan has directed a performance capture film that is filled with soul. Contrary to POLAR EXPRESS – where the eyes and faces simply lacked the wonder of expression that makes animation such a wondrous medium… here – they didn’t go exact human replicas – instead they went for caricatures… and they work, fabulously.

Because this story and these characters are so strong that you forget you’re watching something animated, you’re simply enthralled with the story-telling and the characters.

Ok… let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this tale.

First off – This film doesn’t start off with a “Monster House” – though… it kinda does. You see, the house, right across the street from our main character DJ, is “THAT” house on the street with “THAT” old man that terrorizes any kids on the block that set foot on his lawn. He’s that crotchety ol sonuvabitch that would steal your basketball, just for it being on his grass. It’s that house that you crossed the street to avoid walking close to it. And everyone, but your parents know about it. Your babysitter’s boyfriend (who isn’t supposed to be at the house, but is… tormenting you) knows.

DJ and his friend Chowder (the plump one) are that age when you still perhaps believed in shit that just wasn’t very likely… but you investigated it, you explored the possibilities that it could be, but the common sense of the world told you. “Kid, you’re full of shit!”

There are stories about old “Nebbercracker” and his wife that used to live in “THE” house. Nebbercracker is the cantankerous ol fuck that scares kids. Word has it, he killed and ate his wife. That he was a cannibal. That people and things have disappeared into the house that have never again been seen.

Well, one day. The day before Halloween in fact, DJ and Chowder are playing Basketball. DJ’s mom and Dad have taken off for some Dentistry conference. DJ’s telling Chowder about the tricycle incident that morning… and they’re goofing off safely – across the street from… Nebbercracker and his evil house of horrors… when the Basketball… the one that Chowder had forked over serious bucks for, bounces away and into… “Nebbercracker’s Yard.” To the horror of both kids. It’s odd that Nebbercracker didn’t come rushing out to snatch the ball. So DJ decides to work up the nerve – and he runs for the ball… only to be caught by the crazy ass scary fucking old fart. Nebbercracker goes fucking nuts and suddenly – he’s died of a heart attack.

This isn’t handled funny. It’s handled… well, with the weight that an old man dying in front of you cursing at you would feel. It’s horrible. The ambulance hauls off his body, and the boys are left looking at the house thinking… What have we done?

Chowder heads home and the Babysitter (who fucking rules) shows up. I really can’t put into words how great this Babysitter is. How she arrives – sweet as hell thinking that one or the other parental unit may still be in the house, but when it is evident that she’s alone with the brat – she sets down the ground rules and demonstrates why and how she is the boss. DJ heads up stairs and… well, he looks at the house. He crashes out. No Evil House shit has happened, then his phone rings – but he hears the feedback of the house on the line and he begins to realize… the house… across… the street… that nobody living lives at… is calling him. Freaky. Spooky, but nothing gigantic yet.

Still – he calls Chowder – to meet at an ol construction site they call the “Danger Zone” DJ tells Chowder about… “The Call” and Chowder is all, “You’re crazy, imagining things” and so on. Now that Nebbercracker is dead – Chowder isn’t ‘fraid of some empty ol house. This leads us to the scene that doesn’t work in the trailer. But now – in context with the film… it plays very creepy. Chowder is goofing off – doing an impression of ghostly Nebbercracker. He’s all carefree and brave. He rings that doorbell – and HELL opens up.

Chowder makes it back out to the street. And he and DJ are looking at the for-real MONSTER HOUSE and DJ is telling Chowder that they have to get somebody to believe them because – the next night is HALLOWEEN and kids looking for TRICK OR TREATS would be doomed. Chowder is like, “Nobody will go to that house, it’s Nebbercracker’s house” That’s when the door opens to the house… and Chowder’s basketball bounces in an inviting COME HERE light. Chowder states, “It’s going to be a slaughter!”

Basically – that’s the set up. From here you get the girl involved and you meet a character that is their Yoda… named SKULL. Skull is played by Jon Heder… in what I consider a fucking awesome role. He’s just classic. He’s a geek god that has traveled to many arcades and comic conventions and has learned a great many things. In SECRET OF NIMH – he would be THE GREAT OWL. In STAR WARS – he would be YODA. In JASON & THE ARGONAUTS – he would be Phineas. His temple is a Pizza delivery place – his throne – a stand up arcade game. He speaks… as an all-knowing geek god would. And as a child, you would be wise to listen.

The film is just fucking great. The kids are just flat out real. DJ and Chowder ARE best friends. Jenny is THAT girl that you first got a crush on and wanted to kiss. The Babysitter is THAT babysitter that would have her boyfriend loser wannabe rock-star over that would torment you. The adults don’t believe you, the way adults don’t believe you when you start talking about shit like a Monster House.

The film is out-right SCARY. It has that feeling of those classic 80s kids films like GOONIES, EXPLORERS and STAND BY ME. I swear there’s a scene where the little girl says, “Let’s cut the bullshit!” I have to see it again to check that out.

This genuinely feels like the movie you kinda wish Tim Burton would make, if he wasn’t so distracted with being “weird”. It has that earnest suburban adventure feel of films like BACK TO THE FUTURE and E.T. It’s that wonder-time of youth – and I absolutely loved every second of it.

How much does SONY believe in it? Well – they’ll be screening it all over the country early. But after a good deal of begging – I got SONY to allow me to have the exclusive premieres of the film in DIGITAL 3D in 5 cities across the Country this JULY 10th as our celebration of the 10th Anniversary of AICN.

Which 5 cities? AUSTIN (which will have the stops pulled out), Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Minneapolis-St.Paul.

More details will be coming, but folks – this film is pure gold. I got to see 20 minutes of it in 3D before approving this as being the 10th ANNIVERSARY AICN FILM EVENT – and holy shit was it awesome. It looks fucking amazing. But hopefully – a great deal of you will be seeing it soon.

As for taking your kids. This movie IS scary, but it's scary the way Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland or Disneyworld is. It's not a HORROR film, so much as it is a THRILLING FILM for all ages. As I said - every character in this film has a soul and is played with a very warm heart and a richness of detail that I haven't seen laid into characters in an animated film since THE IRON GIANT or THE INCREDIBLES. And I mean that with absolute seriousness. This is a fantastic film.