Adoption at the Movies : Hotel Transylvania 3 Adoption Movie Review

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Hotel Transylvania 3 Adoption Movie Review

In the late 1800’s, Abraham Van Helsing tried several times to rid the worlds of monsters, but he failed. In the present day, monsters live peacefully among themselves, and they spend much of their relaxation time at Hotel Transylvania, which is operated by Dracula. Dracula’s daughter Mavis convinces her father to take a family vacation, and so Dracula goes on vacation with his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, father, and a host of friends. Together, they board the cruise ship Legacy – but unbeknownst to them, the ship is captained by Val Helsing’s great-granddaughter – and Van Helsing himself is aboard.

** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **

The Adoption Connection

I didn’t observe an adoption connection in the film. Dracula has been lonely since being widowed, and though he wants to find love, his adult daughter has to process her feelings about that.

Strong Points

Dracula is supported by friends and family, and obviously cares for his family, even though he is lonely.

Mavis acknowledges that she has never thought of her father being with anyone besides her mother, but says that she wants him to be happy. A character has an admirable goal (the phrasing of which could also be applied to adoption,) “We honor the past, [and] we make our own future.”

Challenges

This may seem like quite a stretch, but a young viewer could leave the film understanding that a person will immediately know, on sight, who they should marry, and that that destiny can’t be stopped, even if the other person refuses or tries to hurt you. Dracula’s love interest does try to kill him several times.

Recommendations

Hotel Transylvania 3 is a fun, fast movie that should appeal to most kids; it may scare younger kids, but kids ages 9 and up should be able to enjoy this one, unless they are scared by monsters or by Erica’s efforts to kill Dracula.