A monster of a film
Have you seen any of the first cartoons – Tom
and Jerry, Mickey Mouse, and the feature films
such as Snow White, Jungle Book and so on?
Animated films have come a long way from
the traditional animation of those early days.
Monster House, which came out in 2006, is the
latest example of modern animation films.
Traditional cartoons only use actors’ voices
but the latest animation technique, called
‘performance capture’, films the actors’
movements and then puts animation on top
of this. The first film to use this technique was
The Polar Express starring Tom Hanks. The
techniques in Monster House are even cleverer
and the film is very realistic and interesting.
Monster House is about a house that is alive and
eats people, and three teenagers who have to
stop it. Although it’s an animated film it is quite
scary, especially when the house gets angry. It’s
not recommended for young children, but if you
are older and want to see a film that is sad, scary,
funny and very clever then Monster House is the
film for you!

Choose the best answers.
1. Animated films today
A are like Tom and Jerry.
B use traditional techniques.
C use modern techniques.
2. Traditional cartoons
A are silent.
B have real people in them.
C use actors’ voices.
3. Monster House
A is a traditional cartoon.
B has Tom Hanks in it.
C is a new type of animated film.
4. Monster House is about
A three teenagers who live in a horrible house.
B a house that eats three teenagers.
C three teenagers who fight a house.
5. Monster House is a good film for
A any age group.
B older children.
C young children.