Movie Review: Monster High: Freaky Fusion

Monster High: Freaky Fusion
Mattel Playground Productions, USA, 2014.

This time the theme is family heritage or scaritage.

New hybrid students have arrived to Monster High. Neightan Rot (unicorn-zombie), Bonita Femur (Mothman-skeleton), Sirena Von Boo (ghost-mermaid) and Avea Trotter (centaur-harpy) do not want to mingle with the other students as having two freaky flaws instead of one makes them misunderstood. For example Sirena is a real cloudcuckoolander who is easily distracted. The ghoul friends would like to know them better and Frankie Stein gets a crush on Neightan.

Avea, Neighthan, Bonita and Sirena

Frankie

Mmm, tasty. Even funnier when you remember that Draculaura is a vegetarian

Frankie flunks a school assignment about family history. She does not know much about her family as her mom and dad do not want to talk about grandfather Victor Frankenstein. Robecca's father & inventor Hexiciah Steam knew Victor so if Robecca could find his workshop and journal they might get a clue. So they go to the catacombs looking for the workshop. The journal reveals that Victor had a dark side and was obsessed about creating life. 

Hexiciah Steam

Curious kitty Toralei activates a time machine that takes them back in time. In 1814 the school was still under construction. Frankie meets orphan boy named Sparky who tries to create live (what a striking coincidence). Frankie gives him inspiration and Robecca inspires Hexiciah to create a robot daughter. While returning home there is an itty-bitty accident with the time machine and eight ghoul friends get fused together. Oopsy-daisy. Draculaura-Robecca, Cleo-Toralei, Jinafire-Lagoona and Venus-Clawdeen combinations are formed. 

Fusion friends

Sparky

Ghoulia can fix the time machine but it will take some time. Meanwhile they can practice a school play with Mr. Where (one of the many characters of Monster High based on Invisible Man) but the fused halfs are not co-operating. Maybe the hybrids can help them to control their bodies and come to balance with their different sides. But also Sparky learns to use the time machine and causes a dangerous situation.

Mr. Where

School play turns exciting

I liked the movie. Storywise this is one of the best Monster High films if not even the best with the most emotion packed finale exploring the value of friends and family. As the story is darker there is slightly more focus on drama than comedy compared to the prequels. Another theme is that Frankie ponders if she is just made of spare parts or is there a spark of life inside. This is like a bit like steam punk "Ghost in the Shell" for kids. If "Frights, Camera, Action!" explored Draculaura's origins this time Frankie and Robecca are in the spotlight. Frankenstein's story is reinterpreted very loosely in a kid friendly way. Gotta also love a giant robot that quotes Thomas Dolby.

Blinded by science!

In the closing scene Ghoulia has fun with the time machine.

Prehistoric fusion chic

Three webisodes are included:

Inner Monster 1.0
Ghoulia creates a smartphone assistant that works differently than she intented.

Ghoulia the superprogrammer

Inner Monster 2.0
Iris Clops is frustrated about Manny's inability to express feelings. Inner Monster app to the rescue.

Iris

Manny

Boys Fright out
Deuce and Gil are having the ultimate board game duel.

Rating: Good 

Voice actors: Erin Fitzgerald, Haviland Stillwell, Geeg Friedman, Salli Saffioti, Evan Smith, Debi Derryberry, Kate Higgins, Audu Paden, Jonquil Goode, Cam Clarke, Laura Bailey, Dave B. Mitchell, America Young, Paula Rhodes, Cindy Robinson, Stephanie Sheh, Luis Gonzalez, Josey Montana McCoy, Julie Maddalena
Directors: William Lau, Sylvain Blais