If you were a kid of the nineties, you grew up reading Goosebumps books. If were are a kid of the nineties, you have got to see the Goosebumps movie. It is nostalgic, and it is relatable and just an all around fun film.
Before I got on, let me tell you that there are some spoilers in this review but not any major ones, so keep reading.
Goosebumps is clever, fun and frightening which his exactly what the series is. Believe me when I say you will not be disappointed.
The way that they tell the story is excellent. Jack Black stars at R.L Stine (1st spoiler) and his portrayal is enjoyably unique. I mean actually using Stine as a character (he also make a cameo), whose storyline propels the plot of the movie forward is a great idea and it works very well. In that, Stine is set up as a man who learned to escapes the dullness and loneliness of his life by writing these stories on a special typewriter, and because he does so, they come to life when the original manuscript is opened. And as you have probably already figured, that’s exactly what happens.
It is so cool to see all of his stories come to life on the big screen. From the Abominable Snowman of Pasadena to the movies real antagonist Slappy from Night of the Living Dummy, it is a thrill to watch.
And therein lies Goosebumps draw. For those who were avid followers of the book series, you get to relive what you have read and imagined in your mind a million times over. For those who know the name but have never read any of the books, you are entertained by the fact that you can maybe connect some of the stories your friend or siblings told you about to what you see on the screen. And if you have never read any of the books, it is a brand new experience that you can enjoy for the first time. For these reasons and so many more, Goosebumps is a must-see movie.
Along with R.L Stine’s character, the movie tells the story of Zach (Dylan Minnette from Scandal), a New York native who moves to Madison, Delaware thanks to his mother’s new job as vice principal of the local high school. Their new home in next door to a mysterious house with a girl that captivates Zach’s attention. Hannah, played by Odeya Rush, is a dark-haired beauty who spends her days being homeschooled by her father- R.L. Stine.
Due to Zach being a loner not really wanting to be in his new town, he finds adventure with a fellow classmate Champ (played by Ryan Lee) on the night of the school dance. He’s at home because he didn’t want to go and bored with his Aunt. So he occupies himself with the task of finding out what is going on at Hannah’s house as he heard screams. And that’s when the adventure starts.
Along with the twists and turns, I am very impressed with the amount of truly terrifying moments the movie possesses. Aside from being chased by a huge praying mantis or nearly being killed by a super scary snowman, the part of the movie that sends chills down your spine has to be, for me, the walk through the cemetery. Yes, there is a dark, scary, creepy cemetery scene that has all the thrills and screams you would imagine.
The ending is satisfying as well and serves as the most obvious solution to a situation as big as the one the kids and Stine got themselves into. This movie is just as much for adults (especially since most grown folks today were children when the first book was published in 1992) as it is for kids. Regardless your age, you will get a kick out of Goosebumps and all that it has to offer.
There isn’t anything bad I can say about this movie. It is a great narrative about a beloved young adult series that is the cornerstone of so many lives. I give it four out of five stars.
Film Review: ‘Goosebumps’
Reviewed at the Grove, Los Angeles, Oct. 1, 2015. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 103 MIN.
PRODUCTION: A Sony Pictures Entertainment release of Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation presentation in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures of an Original Film and Scholastic Entertainment production. Produced by Deborah Forte, Neal H. Moritz. Executive producers, Tania Landau, Bill Bannerman, Ben Waisbren, Bruce Berman, Greg Basser. Co-producer, Greg Baxter.
CREW: Directed by Rob Letterman. Screenplay, Darren Lemke; story, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, based on the Scholastic Goosebumps Books written by R.L. Stine and created by Parachute Press. Camera (color, widescreen), Javier Aguirresarobe; editor, Jim May; music, Danny Elfman; production designer, Sean Haworth; art director, Dawn Snyder, Patrick Sullivan, Andrew White; set decorator, Frank Galline; costume designer, Judianna Makovsky; sound (Dolby Atmos), Mary Ellis; supervising sound editors, Ethan Van der Ryn, John Marquis; re-recording mixers, Kevin O’Connell, Beau Borders; makeup effects, Fionagh Cush; creature makeup effects, Stephen Prouty; creature design, Carlos Huante, Neville Page, Justin Fields; 3D scanning, Gentle Giant Studios; 3D conversion, Legend3D; visual effects supervisor, Erik Nordby; visual effects, MPC, Vitality; stunt coordinator, Stephen Pope; assistant director, Justin Muller; second unit director, George Aguilar; second unit camera, Lukasz Jogalla; casting, Jeanne McCarthy, Nicole Abellera.
WITH: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan, Ryan Lee, Jillian Bell, Halston Sage, Timothy Simons, Ken Marino, Amanda Lund, R.L. Stine