‘Goosebumps’ Review: Jack Black shines in fun thrill ride to RL Stine books
Taking pages from old science fiction films, mystery novels and disturbing imagnination, R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps book have become classics and now have a worthy film adaptation starring Jack Black as the famous author.
Goosebumps is a thrill ride and horror film for a PG audience, ripe with suspense and dynamic characters.
Zach (Dylan Minnette) and his mom (Amy Ryan) have moved to a small Delaware town where she has a job as the school’s new principal. Zach neets his neighbor Hannah (Odeya Rush) and the teen attraction begins, but her over protective pops, Mr. Shivers (Black) intervenes.
Joined by the school’s nerd, Champ (Ryan Lee), Zach thinks he’s saving Hannah, but inadvertently opens one of Stine’s “locked manuscripts” unleashing the monster inside – the abominable snowman (of Pasadena).
Shivers is revealed to be the bestselling author and Stine’s worst fears come to light when the evil ventriloquist dummy Slappy (also voiced by Black) unlocks all the manuscripts and the monsters start destroying the town.
There are Nosferatu and Elvira-style vampires, more than one evil clown, mad scientists, aliens with freeze guns, killer garden gnomes, a Wolfman and a gigantic praying mantis.
Serious examination of isolation, fitting in and the consequences of bullying become a powerful backdrop to Goosebumps and fuels some interesting characters sucked into this wild ride.
Director Rob Letterman pulled off a big surprise with the film, including a great cameo by Stine himself and truly entertains adults, kids and fans of the book alike.
Black exudes his School of Rock charm and humor without overshadowing his co-stars. There is good chemistry among the cast, great special effects and the pace is fast and fun after the cliche introductions.
Overall Goosebumps receives 3 out of 5 stars
Fans and kids will love the journey, less effected by plot holes or predictable sequences than some of their adult counterparts. Add a star if you have that little boy who is already a fan of Stine’s book.