This is a scene from the animated movie "Hotel Transylvania: Transformania." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Sony Pictures)

By Catholic News Service

Thin fourth installment in the animated franchise that kicked off in 2012, directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska.

Ongoing tension between the proprietor of the titular hostelry, Count Dracula (voice of Brian Hull), and his free-spirited human son-in-law (voice of Andy Samberg) leads to the transformation of the former into an ordinary mortal and the morphing of the latter into a monster. But the magic crystal that brought about these changes is broken amid the resulting upheaval, requiring the duo to set out on a quest to South America in search of a replacement, a journey on which they’re eventually joined by the bloodsucker’s beloved daughter (voice of Selena Gomez) and nurturing wife (voice of Kathryn Hahn).

Some of the youngsters who might be satisfied with this insubstantial adventure would be frightened by its scenes of danger while parents inclined to appreciate the film’s themes of family solidarity and the value of seeing the best in others will be less impressed by its occasional forays into mildly mature material.

Characters in peril, fleeting scatological humor, rear male nudity played for laughs, vague wordplay. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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