Adapting a beloved book series is no small task to pull off. Our sacred stories from our youth are put on a pedestal from years of reading these stories over and over again. These were the books you would rather have over a plastic toy. R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series absolutely falls into this category with over 350 million copies of the series sold worldwide. It should come as no surprise Sony has turned the popular book franchise into a big screen movie, but beware director Rob Letterman and star Jack Black. A failure to bring a worthy film to life could haunt you for the rest of your career (no pun intended).
Goosebumps the movie takes the blueprint from most of R.L. Stine’s books. It has a beginning, a middle and twist. The new kid in town Zach (Dylan Minette) moves into his new home and begins to suspect his neighbor is up to no good. Turns out Zach’s neighbor is young adult author R.L. Stine (Jack Black) living in secrecy with his teenage daughter (Odeya Rush). Stine is hiding a secret that brings terror to the sleepy Maryland town and a few goofy laughs along the way.
Instead of going the anthology route similar to the Twilight Zone: The Movie with four separate stories making up one film, Goosebumps manages to have a big monster mash-up in one solitary story. It would have been easy for the creators to find four of Stine’s best-selling tales to turn into mini movies, but Sony took a risk with something different (much like The Lego Movie) and it pays off with a spooky kids flick that’s a big fun ride fans of the books should enjoy.
By no means is Goosebumps a terrifying film experience or the greatest horror movie ever. The film is cheesy at times, but it’s supposed to be when you’re getting terrified by a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy, creepy Garden Gnomes and the Abominable Snowman from Pasadena. Goosebumps is an enjoyable kids film with a hint of horror giving your kids some harmless scares that will make you smile knowing your passing something down to them from your past. Plus, if this film get’s kids reading, I’m always good with that.
Overall, I give Goosebumps 3 out of 4 wholesome horror stars.
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