When it debuted in 2010 Monster High was a unique line of fashion dolls that dared to challenge the norm. The idea was simple, what would the children of the famous monster be like as students in high school? The slogan was epic: Be yourself. Be unique. Be a monster. From the get-go, inclusivity and diversity were key elements of the story. 

Frankie Stein, Clawdeen Wolf, Cleo de Nile, and Draculaura along with countless other monsters introduced children to the beauty of difference. 

Last year, Paramount + debuted a live-action Monster High film that did something incredibly rare. While it kept the character’s names and the heart of what the brand it tact, It completely changed everything else, but in a good way. It was a re-imagination that actually worked, and did so well, it spawned a sequel. 

Back for their freshmen year best ghouls Clawdeen (Miia Harris), Frankie (Ceci Balagot), Cleo (Jy Prishkulnik), and Draculaura (Nayah Damasen) are ready to tackle whatever the school year has in store for them. But, when Toralei Stripe (Salena Qureshi), daughter of the Werecat, returns from a year abroad studying in Scaris France, she’s quick to rev up any student she can to fight against the inclusivity the girls worked so hard to build. This is especially true when it comes to witchcraft – which Draculaura is a practitioner of.

Case Walker (The Other Two) returns as Deuce Gorgon, son of Medusa, and Clawdeen’s love interest (a major departure from the original doll line), and is incredible. Newcomers include Bonale Fambrini as Ellis, the son of Zamara, Queen of the Witches, and Kyra Leroux as Demi Boovais, a ghost/human hybrid that credits Clawdeen as giving her the strength to be herself.

Like its predecessor, the heart of what makes Monster High so beautiful is still there, but in contrast, other than “Not How Our Story Goes” performed by Miia Harris, Nayah Damasen, and Ceci Balagot (who’s got a great voice) the songs were not as memorable. But it was fun and the end did leave it open for a third installment – hopefully with InvisiBilly.

8/10

More reviews soon so…

Stay tuned!