This sequel to the 2012 original film is indeed a monster mash, but it's not a graveyard smash for the most part. Still, the animation film is still watchable for a family friendly flick for the Halloween season. Once again, directed by fame animator, Genndy Tartakovsky, Hotel Transylvania 2 tells the story of Dracula (Voiced by Adam Sandler), who has since, been more open-minded with his relationship with human beings, since the last movie. While things are going great on the business side, Dracula is still worried about his family, mostly about his half-vampire, half-human grandson Dennis (Voiced by Asher Blinkoff), because he isn't showing any signs of being a vampire. Since, Dennis hasn't show any signs to be immortal, Dracula's adult daughter, Mavis (Voiced by Selena Gomez) believes that the castle might not to be the best place to raise a human child, so she wants to visits her in-laws place in California with her husband Jonathan (Voiced by Andy Sanberg) to see if that's a good place to relocate. Fearing he'll lose his daughter and grandson, forever, Dracula must tries to push Dennis to his limits, in hope to get his inner monster, out, so Mavis will change her mind. Will Dracula be successful with his attempts or will Dracula have to learn to adapt, that his daughter is all grown up and ready to leave the nest? Watch the movie to find out! Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, this movie was somewhat disappointing. Yes, it clearly have some positive messages about family unity, tolerance and diversity that children could learn from; but sadly, this animated comedy also lacks the emotional heart, social commentary and funny humor, that really shine in the first movie. The whole deus ex machina ending with Dracula's own father, Vlad (Voiced by Mel Brooks) was very anticlimax and really comes out of nowhere. Mel Brooks was so misused in this. I wish, he had more screen time, than he got. Honestly, the lack of screen time, kinda hurts his bad guy turn good guy role. It wasn't believable, when he does it. How does a prejudiced vampire father, who isn't tolerant of humans, changes his views, he's had of humans for hundreds if not thousands of years in roughly two minutes, because his great-grandson is half-human. Come on, movie! The whole diversity issue between monsters & humans from the first movie was somewhat, the best thing about the first film. I felt that it was really lacking here. I was really hoping, more 1967's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, type of smart humor with Vlad. Honestly, Hotel Transylvania 2 would be, a stronger movie, if it didn't cop out; because it can somewhat relatable to real-life parents. Indeed, one day, your adult children might move out, and make a life of their own. You just have to learn, how to deal with it. It would have been, a very good message for both young & older parents as well as their children. While, the single Tex Avery-influenced animated motion is beautifully well-made & will surely amuse the younger children. Having that message would make this film, so much better. It would had brought back the emotional impact that I love from the first film, between Dracula & Mavis. Another problem about the film, is the lack of the Hotel settling. Yes, most of it, is still placed in Transylvania, but for a film call Hotel Transylvania 2, it really has nothing to do with the hotel, this time. I would love, if the movie add a sub-plot of Dracula trying to have Mavis, be his heir to the family business and forcing her to choose between turning Jonathan & Dennis into immortal vampires by biting them, or to leave them as mortal humans. It would make a more-well-rounded in-depth film. Regards of what ifs, the movie as a whole was entertaining. Some of the humor was funny, but most of it, was meh. I really, could do, without those clean-cut 'Family Guy' style, humorous cut scenes & outlandish pop culture songs interrupts. They really fall flat. Adam Sandler once again, works great as Dracula. You can tell, that he really loves, playing this role. After all, Sandler signed up, for the original film, just to make a movie that, he and his daughter, Sadie can watch, together. You really can tell that Sandler cut down on his man-child toilet-base shtick, just to make this kid-targeted humor film, work. For the most part, it kinda does. Once again, Sandler's film buddies: Kevin James, Steve Buscemi & David Spade, are able to find work, because of his influence in production. The only different, this time, is that Keegan-Michael Key, replacing CeeLo Green as Murray the Mummy, due to previous actor/singer Ceelo Green being arrested, during film production in 2014. In my opinion, Keegan-Michael Key is a lot funnier than CeeLo Green, ever was, in this role. For the rest of the roles, Selena Gomez and Andy Sanberg are still wonderful. I do love their funny sub-story adventure in California. To the film credit, Hotel Transylvania 2 does takes the characters in some new and interesting directions, that I didn't see coming. I do like the odd, sly nods and allusions to old horror movies, with a slight mixer with 21 century technology humor and social media references. While, the necrophilia overtones can be somewhat gross & jarring when thinking too deep about it. The only thing, I really hated about the film, is how it kinda insults 1931's Dracula, by naming the bad guy in the film, Bela. That was really offensive to the fan-based. Overall: While, Hotel Transylvania 2, doesn't reach the same heights as its predecessor, it still somewhat top-notch. A great Halloween treat, worth trick or treating.