An orphaned boy is raised by a group of underground trolls who rummage for trash. Based on the children’s book, Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow. Starring Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Tracy Morgan

This is your typical kid’s movie. The stop motion animation is top-notch, but the story is just like so many others told in today’s children’s films: bad guy is out to destroy the innocent, adults are naïve, and the kids save the day. All in a days work.

Given the mediocre quality of the book it is based on, I was not surprised that the film lacked originality. First, it is historically inaccurate, and second,  it is amazing how an orphan boy who has never been with humans acquired enough English to converse easily with them as a preteen.

That said, I do believe, even with all of its faults, this film will still appeal to children. They will enjoy the animation and be engaged in the entertaining storyline.  This is worth a watch for kids.