Goosebumps (2015) (English Language)

Review

103min

Genre:      Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Director:   Rob Letterman

Cast:        Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush…and more

Writers:    Darren Lemke, Scott Alexander, R.L. Stine… and more

-Synopsis-

After a horror author’s characters come to life and escape their books, he must team up with his daughter and their new teenage neighbour to stop these “demons” from destroying the town in this fantasy adventure adaption of the hugely popular series of children’s horror novellas.

With plenty of source material from over 60 original books and many more spin-offs from children’s horror fiction author R. L. Stine, director Rob Letterman condenses the central theme and dozens of scary creatures into one mad action-packed family friendly CGI-fest.

The story is told through the point of view of a few central characters that include 3 neighbourhood teenagers as well as R. L. Stine himself, played by Jack Black in a rare straight-man role, consequently there is plenty of self-referential humour and narrative scope in the film.

‘Goosebumps’ is very much wholesome entertainment for the family and despite the fact that it’s based on children’s horror fiction, there’s nothing too scary for anyone over the age of eight. As a result this is much more of a fantasy adventure with plenty of charm and humour which works as a very thinly veiled fable about the power of fear and facing your “demons”.

The film plays like a cross between 1995’s ‘Jumanji’ and the teen cult horror/comedy classic ‘The Monster Squad’, and no doubt director Rob Letterman was inspired by them.

But without the talents of the late/great Robin Williams or the freedom to employ more risqué humour, ‘Goosebumps’ is safe family entertainment with a predictable narrative which hits familiar emotional queues and takes no risks.

Perhaps most disappointing is some of the below par CGI with certain character renderings that wouldn’t have been impressive 10 years ago, we understand cost cutting but that’s frustrating from a film which so heavily depends on special effects.

The Bottom Line…

While it’s certainly no modern family classic and too safe and familiar to leave a lasting effect, ‘Goosebumps’ has more than enough charm and humour among the non-stop monster frenzy to keep both the kids and the adults entertained throughout.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Jumanji (1995)

A pair of kids inadvertently unleash mayhem upon their town when they play a mysterious and magical board game in their new house, luckily they also release a long-trapped man who must help them complete the game to stop the terrors they have released.

Directed by Joe Johnston and starring  Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst and Bonnie Hunt among others.

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