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Mad Monster Party Review

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 6+

Campy stop-motion animated fun with ghoulish imagery.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this silly 1960's Rankin/Bass animation movie has the occasional round of cartoon violence, plus lots of spooky imagery (skulls, ghouls, etc.). Monsters at a party hold full wine glasses and a character makes a subtle reference to hangovers. There's some sultry female characters, plus moments of quasi-romantic kissing -- but on the whole, Mad Monster Party is kitschy, campy fun for adults and kids alike.

  • Families can talk about live animation. How were these characters brought to life, and how is it different from animation seen in other cartoons and movies?  
  • How can you tell this movie was made several decades ago? Is it the animation? The jokes? The characters?

The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true1

    Educational value: Intended purely as entertainment, though kids might learn a little about stop-motion animation by watching.

  • message true0

    Messages: This silly gag-filled movie has very little in the way of specific messages, but despite the ghoulishness, the tone is light and fun overall.

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: Characters are all monsters with designs on taking over the world, though it's all in fun. The female characters are portrayed as sexy.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence and scariness: A chef throws a series of knives around the body of a character whose back is against a door. Two female monsters get into a fistfight, replete with cat sound effects. Occasional cartoon violence -- punching, falling, explosions - plus lots of potentially scary imagery (skulls, crows, monsters). 

  • sex false1

    Sexy stuff: Brief, cartoonish kissing, plus lots of minor innuendo. For example, after falling down, Francesca informs Felix that she is "no easy pick up." 

  • language false0

    Language: Some name calling, such as "ugly."

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters are seen holding full wine glasses, and at least one character seems to slur after falling into a punch bowl. After the party, alcohol-looking bottles are scattered throughout the room, overturned. A character makes a joke to one of the other characters still being asleep because they had too much to drink the night before. 

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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