By Angele Colageo
Goosebumps, the best-selling children’s horror book series by R.L. Stine has been brought to the big screen in time for Halloween. Fans of the series will enjoy the familiar characters that captivated them on many a sleepless night. Those who have never read a Goosebumps novella, will enjoy the humor and the suspense of the story.
Zach (Dylan Minnette) and his mother Gale(Amy Ryan), move to the small town of Greendale, Maryland where Gale has accepted the job of Vice Principal of the town’s high school. They are greeted by Lorraine (Jillian Bell), his aunt who has a intensive love for crafting and an ever hopeful desire to find love.
As they settle in on their first day, we meet their neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush) and her grumpy, somewhat sinister father, R. L Stine (played by Jack Black). He immediately warns Zach to stay away from his house and Hannah. The adventure begins as we watch Zach and his new best friend Champ (Ryan Lee) stumble into the Pandora’s box of R.L Stine’s works.
Like the Goosebumps books, monsters wreak havoc in Greendale and it is up to the heroes to find a way to make it through the night. The movie’s fast pace, smart and funny dialogue carries the audience through a clever, well told story. Fans of the series will enjoy the familiar characters that captivated them on many a sleepless night. Those who have never read a Goosebumps novella, will also be able to enjoy the humor and the suspense of the story.
Second Review by Melissa and Sophia
Melissa, Mom
I attended this movie with my 8 year old daughter who was excited yet weary of the level of scariness. She had never seen a much scarier movie than The Nightmare Before Christmas and was worried because this was a live action movie, not a cartoon.
Anyone who is a Goosebumps fan will enjoy the updated movie version. The movie begins with our main character, Zack, having to move to a small town when his mother receives a position as vice principal at the local high school. Zach is not only the new vice-principal’s son, he’s also the new student at his mom’s school While moving into his new home he meets his mysterious and beautiful neighbor Hannah, whose father is quick to warn Zack to stay on his side of the fence and not speak to his daughter.
Immediately, the movie begins with humor an adult (or a parent forced to go to a kids movie) can appreciate. I was quite entertained. The monsters are perfect for an 8 year old, not too scary, but scary enough to have my daughter hold onto my arm the first few minutes. Things get a little wild when the poodle appears. There are many scary character that come to life from R.L. Steins Goosebumps series and we are gifted with a cameo from the writer himself. There is a twist that keeps the viewers interested. What’s to come of one of the main characters?
If anyone knows me, they know I will fall asleep during any and all movies. I have to say, some of my best naps are taking at the movies. However I didn’t feel the need to shut my eyes until the story hits the walk to school bit, which lasted longer than necessary. I would say that’s a pretty decent kids movie if I was able to stay awake long enough to write a review. No, really, I only fell asleep for 5 minutes! It must be good. J
Sophia, 8
“I liked the movie a lot, it was funny and scary at the same time. My favorite part was when the man (Jack Black’s character) fell into the grocery cart and Zach had to push him while the werewolf chased them. I liked it because it is funny to see. My favorite character is Hannah.”
Ultimately, this movie is definitely a family movie, fun for all ages and if you are a fan of Goosebumps, the movie is for you. It is safe for the kiddos and moms, dads and fans will be in for some good laughs too.
Sophia gives this 4 out of 5 stars
And the last review by the listed author, Joseph K. Saulnier
I think I speak for most of my generation when I say I grew up on Goosebumps. Many a night I lay terrified and awake after reading one of the twisty tales concocted from the mind of R.L. Stine. Naturally, when Sony announced a Goosebumps movie, I was fearful. But they also had many different stories to tell as there were countless books in the series, all with a different monster. And then they went gave us the plot to the film… I was still fearful.
Goosebumps introduces us to Zach (Dylan Minnette) who, along with his mother, Gale (Amy Ryan), moved to the small town of Madison, Delaware one year after his father passed away. With quick resolve, Zach meets his neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush), whom he finds very intriguing. And as any protective father would do, Hannah’s creepy father (Jack Black) tries to scare off Zach. But as Zach is trying to get to the bottom of exactly who this family is, he discovers locked Goosebumps manuscripts in Hannah’s father’s study. Accidentally opening The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena, Zach soon discovers that there is something special about these manuscripts as the stories themselves, or rather the monsters from them, begin to come to life… for real. Can Zach, Hannah and her Father, along with the bumbling Champ (Ryan Lee), save Madison from the monsters? Watch and see.
I had to constantly remind myself of the target audience for this film for about an hour after seeing it. I was hoping for so much more, and while it had mildly entertaining moments, I have feeling that this film is going to fall flat for most adults. Jack Black played the same part he has become really good at over the years, and it almost seems like he is basically playing it straight now. But it was kind of awesome to see some of the ideas of these books come to life, and with the evil Slappy the dummy (voiced by Black) at the helm, things did truly get out of hand. But I just found myself picking out plot holes and inconsistencies in the movie, which is highly unlike me. I may realize things like that much later after watching for most films, but this one I was noticing everything as I was watching it. This doesn’t bode well at all. For example, Hannah takes Zach to an abandoned carnival that was right in the middle of the woods. Hannah explains that they ran out of money before they finished building. So first, no one builds a permanent carnival like this in the middle of the woods, where the trees would interfere with pretty much everything the way it was set up. And it’s not like the trees grew up around the carnival, the technology was too new and the trees too big for that to make any sense. The other thing is, Hannah pulls a big lever and gets power to the carnival to light it up. First, why is there even power to an abandoned carnival? And let’s say we just accept that there is power to this place, we’re missing the second part. Hannah indicates that she visits the place often, but why haven’t the cops showed up to investigate why there was power at this abandoned carnival. The lights were clearly visible for miles, especially from up on top of the Ferris Wheel where we find Hannah and Zach.
But again… I remind myself of the intended audience. There were many youngsters in the screening with us. And most, if not all, really enjoyed the film. There was a continuous stream of laughter or gasps, as appropriate for the feel of the movie, and many after the film were incredibly happy. So I cannot say they missed their mark.
Ultimately, I ask myself the same question I always do: will I buy the movie on home release? The answer is probably yes, as I know a couple kids who would really enjoy the film, but I wouldn’t be making the purchase if it were just me in the picture. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. I would have given it a two, but I bring myself back to thinking about the target audience. And they definitely knocked it out of the water in that demographic.
3 out of 5 stars
