MONSTER HOUSE (2006) **1/2 One of the things that's characterized Steven Spielberg's better works is that he's able to move a large demographic right to the edge of something. The edge of good taste, rarely, more often the edge of some social convention or another. He has that sense of the uncommon common denominators, and the sense of where they'll begin to balk.and he successfully pushes just the slightest bit further. He's probably the all-time Straw That Broke the Camel's Back champion. This is not strictly-it should be said-a Spielberg film. He's "only" executive producer but, you know, if Spielberg's your XP who ya gonna call? So the large demographic is good kids who might have a taste for horror. Not the hardcore ones who are already too deep into it, of course. Not bullies and degenerates, more the bright ones with some unanticipated edges. So it's an animated children's horror film that actually generates some tension. Easier to say than do, and well done.
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