Ah, time to kick off my favorite thing to do during this Halloween season, looking at musicals that fit that Halloween season. This year I’ve chosen a loosely connected theme of High School is Horror. So many horror movies focus on high school students and the struggle they face as students . Sometimes, it’s not fitting in. Sometimes, it’s your bully coming back from the dead. Now, I’ll admit there is one musical I’ll be including in this lineup that isn’t traditionally thought of as horror but rather black comedy and satire but my series, my rules.
Also funnily enough, all but one of the musicals I’ll be looking at is an adaption of a pre-established IP. If you remember my Alex Brightman tribute last year, where I started with more family friendly fare before building up to what I truly consider scary.
We are starting with two live action movies from Nickelodeon based on the popular doll line from Mattel, Monster High. The first live action movie for this series kicked off the third generation of Monster and tbh, this was my introduction to the doll line. I have gone back and watched some G1 movies but my heart truly belongs to G3. I even have a G3 Frankie Stein doll. They’re my favorite character from the franchise.
Now with Monstrous Musicals, I don’t like going over the plot of the musicals separate from the songs as this is art from where the music drives the story. Obviously, that means there might be some spoilers and I will highlight important things but I will try not to spoil too much.
Coming Out of the Dark
Ah, the song that introduces us to our main trio of Clawdeen, Frankie and Draculaura. It has a sense of vulnerability to it as the girls are stepping out of the shadow and not wanting to be defined what they have been. For Clawdeen, being half human that means wanting to be accepted as a true monster and that is what drives the plot. For Draculaura, she wishes to step out of the shadow of her father. Frankie only being a few years old wants to fit in as a regular teen. It’s a fun introductory song that gets you ready to meet the main characters.
We are Monster High
TBH even though I watched this movie again before writing this blog as I always try to do with this series I forgot about this song. It’s not bad but imo it feels like a repeat of the previous song. I enjoy it fine enough. It is building upon the themes of belonging and community. It just doesn’t leave an impact on me.
Three of Us
This song is so catchy and it is what brings our trio together. Draculaura is a vampire practicing witchcraft which is central to the sequel and this song and this moment to me feels like allying with Clawdeen and Frankie allowed her to find her coven of people… monsters who care about her. It’s a beautiful song about how strong the bonds of friendship are.
True Monster Heart
This is both a song that does infodumping and is the villain song but you’d need to watch the movie to understand the latter part. This song shows how monsters have a severe hatred of humans and considering how some humans have treated monsters I can’t blame them.
Also looking at how this is about a Hyde, a creature who is half human and half monster, it’s obvious that they paralleling Clawdeen. I find it fascinating that I’ve now watched two pieces of media where Hydes are considered to be too big a threat to allow on school grounds around other students
Here I Am
This song continues the theme of belonging and community that is so prevalent throughout this movie. Sorry, I don’t have much else to say about it.
Trust
Ah the love song between Clawdeen and Deuce. It’s a fun song that I enjoy listening to. The beat makes it stand apart but there’s another reason I like it. Clawdeen following the notes left by Hyde to remove her human half needs something from one of Deuce’s serpents but as she realizes she is tricking him, she asks without telling him why he needs it and he agrees. See Descendants, this is how you handle a scene like this between your love interests.
Spark
Okay yeah, I do not remember this in the movie at all. Oh wait, scratch I do, just the opening isn’t memorable. It’s a fine enough song and the beat is pretty good. Again, not one of my favorite songs but it’s fun.
Coming Out of the Dark (Reprise)
Clawdeen’s more somber reprise where she doesn’t feel she belongs d it hurts as we’ve all been there feeling a sense of isolation and as though we don’t matter. Look inside my brain and that is how it is all the time.
No Apologies
Clawdeen’s counterpart to the last song and it’s a great power anthem for being true to who you really are. This song fits a bit harder especially hearing the other monsters joining in and agreeing to be who they really are. Here I am a 36 year old AMAB (?) getting choked up at these kids being truthful to who they are. It’s harder for others to figure out and it’s something I’m still working on.
Triple Up
This song again goes back to the power of friendship and finding a sense of community. That’s honestly my favorite aspect of this movie as while it may seem cheesy, it’s a good message for the kids.
This is Who I Am
I remember this song sounds a bit different but whatever, it’s good and speaks to the idea of what I’ve been talking about how throughout, you should be true to your heart. I appreciate the message this song is leaving the kids with as the movie ends.
I know this was a bit fluffier and not as in-depth as I usually go but whatever it works for this type of kids movie. It’s a good movie that I know some OG fans aren’t big on but I like it. Join me next time as we look at the music of the sequel.
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