As for Nebbercracker himself (Steve Buscemi), he's a crotchety old coot who terrorizes anyone who makes the mistake of trespassing on his perfectly manicured lawn (the only thing respectable about his dilapidated lot). Monster House might have been more effective if it had kept the old guy hidden until the very last minute, the way Harper Lee did with Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, but there's a reason audiences never have an opportunity to speculate about what's lurking behind those half-drawn shades.

That's because the house itself is the menace here. No sooner has Mr. Nebbercracker made his entrance than he keels over dead (or something) trying to scare our breathlessly excitable boy heroes, Chowder (Sam Lerner) and DJ (Mitchell Musso). These two are like Goonies-in-training, and their resemblance to ''Chunk'' and the Sean Astin character is no coincidence. Spielberg is the executive producer on both movies, while '80s superstar Robert Zemeckis lends director Gil Kenan the next iteration of his Polar Express technology to help craft this endearingly retro-styled homage.

With Mr. Nebbercracker out of the way and DJ's parents gone for Halloween (leaving Maggie Gyllenhaal to play the not entirely dependable Martha Plimpton-style baby-sitter), the kids have the perfect opportunity to settle the mystery of the house across the street. As trick-or-treat night approaches, the house starts openly attacking the neighborhood -- which is all well and good as long as it stays grounded firmly in place, trying to lure in unsuspecting passersby like the ultimate Venus fly trap. But once the demented domicile goes stomping down the streets after its prey, the movie becomes a different monster altogether.

Ultimately, what happens with the house is not only entertaining, but a marvel of what animation can accomplish in this day and age -- with a style that remains beautifully impressionistic despite its motion-capture roots (did I mention how awesome the movie looks in 3-D?). Yet it's the movie's foundation that proves most satisfying, grounding the fantasy in the mannerisms and anxieties of everyday kids. Whether you're just turning 10 or feel as though decades have gone by since that age, this clever, kooky animated movie taps right into a mindset when nothing could be braver than sauntering up to the creepiest house on the block and ringing the doorbell.

[as featured in The Miami Herald]