How do filmmakers adapt one of the most successful children’s book series? Well, if it’s the Harry Potter book series, the answer is, sequentially. But, in the case of Goosebumps, the only recurring character throughout the series is author R.L. Stine. So, the Goosebumps movie chooses the less obvious route and delivers a creative solution designed to delight fans.
The story follows a teen (Dylan Minnette) who has just moved to Madison, Delaware, and is thrilled to discover his next door neighbor is a funny, adventurous, beautiful and intriguing girl (Odeya Rush) who's his age. This feeling quickly fades when her cantankerous dad, Mr. Shivers, orders him to stay away from her. Mr. Shivers (Jack Black) turns out to be, well, let’s just say that R.L. Stine and his characters leap off the pages of the books in a brand new story that allows them ALL to intermingle (and terrify!) together. It’s a grand monster mash.
About the “terror:” Goosebumps books are written for 8 to 12-year-olds and if your kids read and weren't frightened by the books, the same should hold true for the movie. However, as the creatures all come out to haunt, some moments are scary. Some of the horrors include giant insects who try to crush people, a man-swallowing blob, a clown who just looks scary, and some gnomes that behave a lot like gremlins. The fiend most likely to leave a lasting chill, though, is “Slappy,” the evil ventriloquist’s dummy who doesn’t need a hand in his back. He’s a creeper. The filmmakers do make some adjustments to the characters to make them less frightening; for instance, the zombies who were written to have no flesh on top of their head have skin and hair covering their brains.
For readers, it’s rewarding to see the characters come to life. Just like the movie Pixels, part of the fun of the film is spotting a character in the background and identifying which book it’s from. And, just like The Lego Movie, meta moments abound that are a hat tip to the book series's success, the writing process and, in the film’s most brief but most exhilarating moment, the author himself.
Additionally, Jack Black remains a joy to young ones. One of the kids in my crew said, “Jack Black is in this movie, so you KNOW it’s going to be good.” Black appears to relish playing unusual characters and he approaches Goosebumps with a zeal that’s contagious: the more fun he’s having, the more fun we’re having. In fact, the laughs are the blanket that warms the “goosebumps.” Goosebumps is terror-bly fun.
Check out more Goosebumps parent reviews:
Watch the Goosebumps Moms Movie Minute
Creating Motherhood -- A Goosebumps Review
That’s It Mommy – Family Review Goosebumps
