Common Sense Media Review
By Grace Montgomery
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Monster dolls share positive messages, wear iffy clothing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Monster High: Escape from Skull Shores
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
It's spring break at Monster High, and Lagoona (Laura Bailey) invites her friends on a sailing trip to the Great Barrier Reef. On the way, the ship is attacked by a kraken, leaving the crew stranded until the mysterious Bartleby Farnum (Keith Silverstein) rescues them and takes them to Skull Island. While the kids from Monster High enjoy the island retreat, Farnum is secretly plotting to use Frankie (Kate Higgins) to lure a rare and elusive beast into his clutches. Little does he know that Frankie has other plans for the beast, who turns out to be more than what he seems.
Is It Any Good?
It's campy and a little cheesy and full of every cringe-worthy joke and pop-culture reference about monsters they could fit in, but there's something endearing about the classmates of Monster High. They're freaky and fierce but incredibly supportive of those who are different. And, although the plot of MONSTER HIGH: ESCAPE FROM SKULL SHORES is obviously largely knocked off from King Kong, it's still a fun and entertaining adventure.
Although it's not to be expected that the ghoulish girls of Monster High would be dressed like your average teen, it's a shame they have to be decked out to the nines. With a little more clothing and a lot less makeup, many of the female characters would be stellar role models, without detracting from the plot.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the pop-culture references in the movie. Which movie and character references do you recognize?
A lot of the characters worry about being accepted. Do you think this is a common fear for average kids?
What do you think about the way the female characters are dressed? Do they dress like the girls at your school? How are they different?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 17, 2012
- Cast : Laura Bailey , Ogie Banks , Cam Clarke
- Directors : Steve Ball , Andrew Duncan
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Mattel Entertainment Inc.
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 44 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 17, 2025
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