Movie review: Jack Black stars in cheerful adaptation of kid-friendly horror novels, ‘Goosebumps’
"Goosebumps." (Columbia Pictures)
Jack Black stars in Columbia Pictures' "Goosebumps." (Columbia Pictures)
Parents need to know that "Goosebumps" is a live-action movie based on the best-selling middle-grade horror novels by R.L. Stine. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Goosebumps” is a live-action movie based on the best-selling middle-grade horror novels by R.L. Stine. There are lots of different kinds of monsters, and though teens are in peril and there are a couple of scares, the main focus is on action: chasing, fighting, destruction, and chaos. Expect a bit of kissing and some spoken references to things like twerking, YouTube, and a kid “being on drugs.” Language isn’t an issue, with the strongest word being “butt.” Despite not having too much in the way of specific iffy content, the movie is still fairly lowbrow in tone; it will likely appeal to fans of the books, but others might wish for something quieter and spookier.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
Teen Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) moves with his single mom (Amy Ryan) from the big city to the small town of Madison, Delaware. Zach doesn’t seem to fit in at school (where his mom is vice principal), and the only person he meets is a misfit named Champ (Ryan Lee). But Zach does connect with his next door neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush), who seems to be kept prisoner in her house by her mysterious father (Jack Black). Investigating, Zach and Champ discover that Hannah’s dad is R.L. Stine, the famous author of the “Goosebumps” series. Unfortunately, they also discover a series of locked original manuscripts that, once opened, release real monsters into the world. Among them is the worst one of all: Slappy.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
Fans of Stine’s books may or may not find something to enjoy here, since the movie is less intent on being scary than on loud action, special effects, goofy humor, and a tentative teen romance. Director Rob Letterman previously made the critically slammed “Gulliver’s Travels” — also starring Black — and “Goosebumps” brings that same lowbrow approach to the beloved middle-grade books series.
It’s all rather graceless, and yet it has a certain kind of good cheer. It harks back to a time when horror fans simply loved monsters and took pride in not being afraid of them. The movie parades an endless, imaginative array of monsters and allows viewers to make their own connections. Black is also used well — he’s more or less restrained in his role (but still funny) — and the younger actors are likewise likable.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Positive messages: 2 out of 5
Positive role models: 2 out of 5
Violence: 3 out of 5
Sex: 1 out of 5
Language: 1 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5
Consumerism: 2 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
MOVIE DETAILS
Theatrical release date: October 16, 2015
Director: Rob Letterman
Studios: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG
