There will be SPOILERS, just warning you...
I liked this special a lot, more than I thought I would. I think I always have my expectations set a bit low for Monster High specials because I know they're aimed at people much younger than me and are essentially made to sell dolls. So far I have been pleasantly surprised by how good they are though. I appreciate that it feels like a lot of effort goes into them.
There were some things I really liked about this special. I liked seeing how Rochelle and Robecca came to be students at Monster High. It was neat that Operetta was fleshed out more as a character. Seeing her use her voice powers was cool too. I liked how the fight between Draculaura and Clawd went where he told her she couldn't play and she stood up to him. I thought it was handled nicely, but realistically for her character. She was strong, but still upset.
Other highlights for me were all the Cleo gags with her servants, and seeing Manny and Heath as Fearleaders (and the resulting flames).
There were some things I did not like about the special. The sexism aspect is kinda tired and I didn't enjoy watching the guy characters acting like that. I know they all came around in the end, but still, kinda annoying to watch when I want to like these characters.
The message of choosing fashionable outfits over safety gear was kinda cringe-worthy. I know I shouldn't take it too seriously, Mattel knows what will sell and the dolls in cute dresses are definitely a better doll design than the regular Roller Maze padded outfits that the boys wore. Still.. .it just sends the message of looking good over being practical which I kinda can't get on board with... I will give them credit for the girls having helmets and knee pads at least. Okay, that's enough of being too serious and reading too much into a movie made to sell dolls.
One other small nitpick... it's nice to see Cupid in the crowd scenes, but it was the exact same shot of her like four times maybe throughout the movie. I know other shots were reused, but this one kept sticking out to me because I was like "Oh, it's Cupid! ...oh, it's the exact same shot of her again..." Either animate her differently or don't show her so many times, I'd say.
Ah, and one more problem I have, but not with the movie: why is there no Roller Maze Draculaura doll? Her design is SO adorable, why skip only her? I guess there's still a chance it could happen, but I haven't heard of any evidence.
