The Goosebumps book series has been scaring kids (and making them laugh) for the past 23 years. Now R.L. Stine’s monsterful characters come to life in the big screen version of “Goosebumps”. Unlike traditional book to screen adaptations, this film doesn’t specifically focus on one installment of the series, but rather takes elements from practically all of them. And two-time Golden Globe nominee and comic mastermind Jack Black actually plays the legendary Stine – an interesting take right out of the gate.
When Zach (Dylan Minnette of “Alexander and the… Bad Day”) and his mom (Amy Ryan) move to a small Delaware town, Zach quickly becomes friends with Hannah, the girl next door (“The Giver”‘s Odeya Rush). While she gives-off a mysterious vibe, it’s her father is who really scares Zach. The Black character doesn’t reveal that’s he’s Stine until about a half-hour into the film (but we know from the start). What he does tell (or rather, order) Zach to stay away from his daughter and their house.
But when Zach fears Hannah is in danger, he and a new school friend named Champ (Ryan Lee) sneak-into the house and discover locked Goosebumps manuscripts packed into a bookcase. One book is opened, and all you know what breaks loose as The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena literally jumps off the pages and into the room, ready to destroy the three teens and everything else in his sight. Stine soon joins the kids in trying to suck the monster back into the book. Unfortunately, other books also get opened, unleashing more of Stine’s unique and terrifying beasts, led by Slappy, the evil talking ventriloquist dummy. So it’s up to the creator of these creatures and the three young heroes to try to save the day.
“Goosebumps” had the potential to be a completely silly, goofy, over-the-top money grab aimed solely at fans of the books. Frankly, that’s what I was expecting after sitting through the trailer numerous times. However, the result is the exact opposite. As an angry, wacky fictionalized version of Stine (the author himself told me Black doesn’t embody any of his real-life qualities), Black is effectively reserved, delivering some clever one-liners, but not stealing the spotlight from the young actors and the film’s most important characters – the monsters. Director Rob Letterman showcases the creatures effectively and produces some genuine scares. This is an old fashioned horror movie, with the right atmosphere to match. Letterman takes us from a spooky mansion to an abandoned amusement park through a cemetery to a high school dance. He doesn’t leave anything out.
Yet there are enough modern touches to make this story feel fresh, as if it’s Stine’s latest installment. At one point Black’s Stine says: “Every story ever told can be broken down into three parts – the beginning, the middle, and the twist.” And with “Goosebumps”, the twist (revealed about an hour in) is smart, sweet and completely unexpected. Sony Pictures Animation developed Stine’s creatures for the screen and they have just the right look, appearing as storybook creatures – not typical CGI creations. And Danny Elfman’s score is terrifically appropriate.
“Goosebumps” is being promoted for the entire family, but it’s a strong PG. Little ones may have trouble with some of the intense scenes. It’s a little long, and granted, the action is wild and a little too rambunctious at times. But with a clever premise, some impressive visuals and a great lead in Black, “Goosebumps” succeeds as a surprisingly fun pre-Halloween treat.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Goosebumps” gets a B.
Running Time: 103 min.