Review // Goosebumps

[projekktor id=’21338′]

Reader beware – you’re in for a scare. Not actually, unless you’re under the age of 10, but you’re definitely in for a good time with Goosebumps. The film adaptation of R.L. Stine’s children’s horror series brings all his dastardly, nightmare-worthy monsters to the big screen. If, like me, you grew up with these books (and the television series) you’re probably not sure whether to be excited about the film or afraid that it will tarnish your precious childhood classics. Well get excited because you have more to fear in the film (Slappy’s back) than the film itself.

Penned by Darren Lemke (Jack the Giant Slayer) the film follows the Goosebumps model of beginning, middle and twist. Like most Goosebumps stories, the film begins with a teen moving to a small sleepy town from the big city. That teen is Zach (Dylan Minnette) who befriends his new neighbour Hannah (Odeya Rush), much to the disapproval of her father (Jack Black). When Zach fears Hannah’s father has harmed her, he calls on his only other friend in town, Champ (Ryan Lee) a socially awkward teen who doesn’t quite live up to his moniker, to help him break in to the house next door. As the pair search for Hannah they stumble upon a bookshelf containing original manuscripts of all of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps stories. What’s stranger is that the books are locked. Naturally curious, the boys open The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena, releasing the monster trapped in the pages. Zach and Champ soon discover that Hannah’s father is in fact the legendary writer R.L. Stine and that he and Hannah have been living is seclusion ever since his monsters found a way off the page. Stine and the young trio are able to return the yeti to Pasadena only to discover that Stine’s most sinister creation, Slappy the ventriloquist dummy, has also escaped from his book and plans to take over the town by releasing all of Stine’s monsters.

Jack Black’s sinister Stine is great – he’s a little scary and mysterious but mostly, he’s funny. Black’s a great leader while his young co-stars Ryan Lee, Odeya Rush and Dylan Minnette step up to the challenge of hunting monsters with style and humor. Goosebumps also features a deep cast of supporting players most notably Amy Ryan as Zach’s mom and Jillian Bell as his aunt. Bell is beyond hilarious and scores most of the laughs which is pretty impressive considering she’s playing opposite Jack Black. On top of a stellar cast, the graphics are great. The 3D adventure will have youngsters on the edge of their seats and maybe peering through fingers for some of the scarier creatures like the abominable snowman, giant mantis and the Werewolf of Fever Swamp who all make appearances. Meanwhile the lighthearted humour offers something for parents.

Although campy at times (which is probably more of a seller than a detractor for nostalgia seekers) Goosebumps delivers a fun family adventure that can be enjoyed by multiple generations. Despite not being scared by the film it did have a cathartic effect, I can finally put my childhood nightmares to rest, that is until they make a sequel…we all know Slappy returns.

Reviewed by Vithiya Murugadas.