Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Rob Letterman, Columbia Pictures, PG 103 Minutes.
This enjoyable fantasy film is based on numerous novels written by noted author R.L. Stine for young adults whose fictional monsters literally leap from the pages of his stories and come to life to create mayhem for everyone.
In fact in this film released in 2015 director Rob Letterman (‘Gulliver’s Travels’) has condensed all of Stine’s scary Goosebumps stories into one exciting storyline featuring renowned comedian Jack Black (‘Jumanji’ franchise) as the author himself R. L. Stine.
As the movie opens teenager Zach (Dylan Minnette – ‘Prisoners’) and his teacher mum Gale (Amy Ryan – ‘Birdman’) are moving into a suburban home that is actually next door to the reclusive Stine (Black) and his beautiful daughter Hannah (Odeya Rush – ‘The Giver’).
In spite of several warnings from Stine not to enter his property Zach becomes friendly with his daughter and believing she is in danger finds himself in trouble after entering their house with new-found friend Champ (Ryan Lee – ‘Super 8’).
When Zach and Champ accidentally open one of Stine’s books they release the Abominable Snowman with the excitement really beginning to build once the most terrifying of Stine’s fears-Slappy the talking doll (voiced by Black himself) is released.
Hell has no fury like a Chucky-like doll that has been shut up in a locked book and Slappy wastes no time in unleashing all the demons and monsters from the remaining books to wreak havoc throughout the town.
To prevent further destruction by such monsters as some large gruesome garden gnomes with knives, a giant prey mantis and a werewolf, Stine reluctantly accepts Zach’s suggestion of a solution; this is at first hampered by Slappy’s spitefulness but eventually Stine, Zach, Hannah and Champ manage to get all the monsters back into their respective books with Stine hoping that Slappy will never return.
Letterman has made a family friendly fantasy movie filled with many funny scenes after infusing a comedic slant on the range of monsters created courtesy of some great special effects-especially the erratic Slappy.
Apart from a stimulating storyline and a well-assembled cast including pleasing portrayals by Minnette as Zach and Rush as Hannah it is Black turning in one his most entertaining performances to date-both as Stine and Slappy.
Goosebumps is being televised on 9Go at 7.30PM on Friday 30 October
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
