Goosebumps review: Will certainly appeal to nostalgia hounds.
Goosebumps review
Anyone my age will be familiar with Goosebumps. The endless series of books from R.L. Stine were an anthology series of individual scary tales that took just about every single horror film, story, and trope, and turned it into a kid friendly tale that could still be fairly creepy and often treated us to a delightful twist. Each story would usually see a kid enter a new town were certain rumours would fly around before the discovery of a frightening ghoul, artefact, ghost, or monster. They also had the tendency to end every chapter on a cliffhanger, no matter how forced, to keep you reading.
Goosebumps will certainly appeal to nostalgia hounds, but it also knows to offer something new to an audience who may never have picked up one of the books in their life. Settling on a post-modern plot that transposes Goosebumps into a Jumanji-like tale, we see the author of the books, R.L. Stine (Jack Black) having to live a life of solitude in a reclusive town. This is because his creations really did become real, and must remain locked up in his house. However, a new neighbour, Zach (Dylan Minnette), moves in and takes an interest in Stine’s daughter, Hannah (Odeya Rush). Thinking Hannah is being mistreated by her father, Zach breaks in and accidentally releases the monsters.
Goosebumps review
The plot is a good excuse to cram as many of the monsters from the series into the film as possible, but it does mean they are hard pressed to get a decent amount of screentime. Main monsters are Slappy, the Magic inspired dummy, an abominable snowman, lawn gnomes, a werewolf, and a huge praying mantis. Almost all other monsters make an appearance, but with so many on screen at one time you’ll have to wait for the pause function on your Blu-ray to spot them all.
The story focuses more on the comedic elements of the series, but funnily enough Jack Black is not the main source of comedy. His fictional portrayal of Stine is a grouchy and unsettled character who has decided to hide away from the world. Comedic duties are left in the capable hands of Minnette as a charming new boy in town, and his geeky friend Champ (Ryan Lee), who is a massive fan of Goosebumps books. There dialogue riffs are usually very funny on levels for both adults and kids, while supporting characters such as Zach’s aunt (Jillian Bell) and the useless police in town, also provide big laughs.
Goosebumps review
The film mixes its monsters creation techniques with a range of CGI beasts and practical effects, and while the CGI is never truly seamless, it does allow for a more imaginative outlook. The action set-pieces are fun and full of visual flair that is sure to keep everyone entertained without being too loud and brash. It’s exciting stuff, reminiscent of 80s films such as Monster Squad and Goonies but with a little more polish, that ultimately makes it not as endearing.
Rob Letterman makes up for his massive fumble in the atrocious Gulliver’s Travels, and despite his other past efforts, Shark Tale and Monsters vs. Aliens, avoids feeling like an animated movie, even when the monsters are front and centre.
Many fans would have loved to have seen an anthology piece adapting some of the better stories, which is something the TV show did rather well back in the 90s. Although it may try and be a bit too knowing at times, Goosebumps does well to keep a family friendly story, while lacing it with the safe scares that made the books so popular. It’s a very entertaining film, with laughs, jumps and action, and one that should be able to appeal to a broad audience.
Goosebumps review by Luke Ryan Baldock, October, 2015.
Goosebumps screened at the BFI London Film Festival. It currently on release in the US and will be released in the UK on 5th February 2016.
