Review: ’Goosebumps’ Faithfully Adapts Childhood Creeps

Neil R. Feeney ’19 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

The night is dark and cold, with the trees shielding the precious moonlight. Suddenly: a howl. Was it a werewolf? The wind blows harder and there’s the sound of giggling in the woods. Haunted garden gnomes? Maybe a runaway ventriloquist dummy? Before the answer is revealed there’s a growling to the left: the abominable snowman. To any normal person this situation would be completely crazy and unrealistic, but to a lover of the Goosebumps children novels, it’s business as usual.
The film has a premise that’s unusually unique to adaptions: having the author as one of the main characters. Jack Black has the honor of portraying R.L. Stine, who lives next door to the protagonist Zach (a fun performance by Dylan Minnette). Stine is very introverted and protective of his house and his daughter (a cute performance by newcomer Odeya Rush). Events unfold, and it’s revealed that if the original manuscripts of the Goosebumps books are opened, the monsters escape. This is never truly explained, but it’s inferred to be the doings of Stine’s typewriter. Of course, all of the monsters escape once Slappy, the ventriloquist dummy (but don’t call him a dummy), decides to get revenge on Stine for his years of imprisonment. It’s not the best catalyst, but it works to get the action going.

From there, the film plays out exactly like a Goosebumps novel. There’s the cheap scares, the creepy characters, the ridiculous twists, and of course the cliffhanger. And that is a fantastic thing. The books are a childhood staple for most, and are often so creative and fun, it’s refreshing and simply awesome to see it on the big screen. The most refreshing part though, is how creative the concept is. Instead of simply adapting one or more of the books into films, this movie adapts the author and brings the stories literally to life. As the characters attempt to capture all the monsters and save the town, twists and turns hinder them, characters are fleshed out, and genuine laughs are had. Despite being a family film through and through, it is seriously fun for all ages. Jack Black is clearly having fun, but the two main children really shine. They are funny and endearing, and give it their all. The production value is also respectable, as well as the directing. There are blatantly unrealistic aspects that could be addressed (a working abandoned carnival in the woods?), but they must be taken with a wide imagination, as they are a part of the Goosebumps world. A few effects are cheesy as well, but it all fits the tone. Adults can honestly enjoy this film as much as children, but with limits.
How much an audience can enjoy this film is extremely limited to one criteria: if they’ve read/enjoyed the books. Without the books, the characters are sappy, the monsters cheesy, and the twists unneeded. But with the books, the characters are relatable, the monsters frightening, and the twists seriously enjoyable. But the movie plays out exactly how one of the novels would, down to the puns and the formulas that fans of the books have come to love. The movie is a giant love letter to the books, and fans will appreciate it. For everyone else it is another family flick, but for the fans it will truly be something special. A horror movie that doubles as a faithful adaption that is fun for kids and adults alike turns out to be a frighteningly good time.
Overall Grade:  B+
Watch The Trailer:
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cn716jv61s[/embedyt]