Goosebumps (2016) Film Review

Since the early 1990s, the classic monster book series Goosebumps has amounted a massive 62 entries on a regular publishing schedule which concluded its original run in 1997. As a staple of school libraries for its scary-for-kids content and its later TV productions (which lasted four seasons) it seems like a natural fit to bring the iconic book series to the silver screen which could at least do their best at bringing such classics as Slappy the Ventriloquist Doll and the Abominable Snowman to life. Unfortunately, it took quite some time, considering that Tim Burton was originally meant to produce a version back in the late 90s, but too so long in development that the rights instead went to Columbia Pictures in 2008 to create a film that seems eerily similar to Pixels...and we all know how that turned out. 

Upon moving to Madison, Delaware from New York following the passing of his father a year prior, Zach (Dylan Minnette) is instantly enamoured by the house next door and the mysterious girl (Odeya Rush) who resides there. Almost as instant as her equally-mysterious father (Jack Black) informs him to stay away from her and their house. But while Zach and Hannah do end up growing some form of bond, her actions do lead to a squabble between her father, which Zach quickly tries to act upon when he hears her screams from through their window. But with the police of the town incompetent at their jobs Zach and his new-found high school chum Champ (Ryan Lee) go about saving Hannah themselves, only to discover two things: that the grumpy man next door is in actuality R.L. Stine, and that they really shouldn't unlock a book for it will only bring about a live version of that book's villain. And when the infamous Slappy (voiced by Black) makes his way out and ensures he can't go back in, Stine must reluctantly join forces with the three teenagers in stopping all of his creations from destroying Madison and getting them back into the book. 

While it's a smart move to try and place all of Stine's creations into a single movie rather than set up numerous films and franchises beforehand as per the current approach by competitors, it does oddly enough falter in its structure and basic story compared to the ridiculous Pixels. Whilst its execution is far better than the aforementioned disaster, it does feel like it's in a rush to get to the action so skips out on character development and an ending which feels right in favour for action sequence after action sequence after action sequence. Granted, it keeps the target demographic entertained throughout with each creature encounter adding a new environment and challenges to it, but older audiences may find it lacking enough heart due to the constant rush to get to the bombastic finale. 

Jack Black does a fine job as the Goosebumps creator who likely only takes the name more than the personality (unless the real R.L. Stine is a grumpy hermit who denies any form of interaction). His character is likeable enough and his character development – whilst not revolutionary nor overly exciting – is done well enough to believe. His dual role as the voice of Stine's porcelain replica is where a lot more applause can be given, as the recreation is a superbly puppeteered object whose vocal tones are elevated greatly by having them be an angrier spookier version of Stine. Granted, he's more of a leader in terms of spearheading the whole attack and not getting any form of grand finale or even pay-off, but he's creepy enough for the younger audience. As far as teen actors in kids movies go, our three young leads in the form of Minnette, Rush and to a lesser extent Lee do fine jobs in their basic stereotypical roles; Minnette of course getting the main bulk of it as an applicable lead but very one-dimensional in goal and character (perhaps not helped by his vice-principal Mom in the form of Meg Ryan or his wacky aunt Jillian Bell), Rush being the magic pixie girl that Minnette pines for at an alarming pace with a hidden secret that only begins to pop up in the second act, and Lee being your typical loser dork who is shoe-horned into the action following a very sudden and forced introductory scene. He does have his own very minor story arc in the form of being less of a loser, but it's very inconsequential and there solely for the generic 'loser gets the girl' story that hundreds of films before it have followed.

Meanwhile, mother Meg Ryan gets a small bit of screen time and does fine in the form of the slightly embarrassing mother, including yet another incredibly mild running gag involving a surprisingly weak-looking gym teacher pining for her (not leading anywhere, might I add); Jillian Bell as the bedazzle-fanatic aunt gets possibly the most laughs through her constant pining for affection from men on and off screen; Halston Sage gets maybe three-four scenes before being the necessary love interest for Lee; and the duo of police officers give perhaps the biggest laughs in a single scene as portrayed by Timothy Simons and Amanda Lund.

With passable direction from Shark Tale helmer Rob Letterman, the biggest comment left to really be made about Goosebumps is its visual effects. And while the small-ish budget of $58m likely cut into a lot of it, the recreations of the likes of the Abominable Snowman, werewolf and even giant praying mantis do look like a few more hours of rendering and detailing could have been made on them or left plenty of room for the practical creatures that only turn up for the finale to have some of the limelight. And while Slappy has already been discussed, it's gratifying that he is a live model and not a standard CG creation like his minions. That being said though, they do at least get involved in some of the more exciting action sequences such as a garden gnome attack – perhaps the best realised creations of the film.

Goosebumps isn't anything new - it's like a child-friendly Pixels which doesn’t insult your intelligence or make you ask for your money back. Performances are fine, with the stand-out of course being from big name talent Black while the concept of the creator being attacked by his creations being a nicely-made piece which focuses more on spectacle than heart or actual story. It's passable work from Sony, but if anyone else ever gets a chance to have a go at the source material, it would be interesting to see them go in the reverse route of going from individual adaptations to full-blown spectacle piece a la The Avengers. 5/10.