Animated characters appear in the movie "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Sony)

By Catholic News Service

Breezy second sequel to the 2012 original finds Dracula’s daughter (voice of Selena Gomez) arranging for her overworked father (voice of Adam Sandler) and the other friendly monsters who staff the hostelry of the title (the most prominent voiced by Kevin James, David Spade and Steve Buscemi) to take a cruise. But when widowed Dad falls for the ship’s captain (voice of Kathryn Hahn), he feels torn between romance and family responsibilities. He also fails to realize that the skipper has a secret conflict of her own based on the legacy of her vampire-hunting ancestors, embodied by her artificially preserved great-grandfather (voice of Jim Gaffigan).

Like the excursion around which it’s built, director and co-writer Genndy Tartakovsky’s kids’ comedy makes for a pleasant diversion, though one more likely to satisfy youngsters than accompanying grown-ups. Parents may also consider the momentary use of digestive sound effects a minor nuisance and should be warned that the danger in which sympathetic characters are placed may be too much for timid tots.

Much stylized destruction, considerable peril, fleeting scatological humor. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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