Review of Goosebumps (2015) by Johnny T — 15 Dec 2015

Goosebumps, like its popular source material, doesn't boast fine craftsmanship, nor does it provide a subversive take on long-established supernatural horror tropes; rather, it gives them a kids-friendly spin that illustrates the fun of scary storytelling. At a guess, I'd say that Goosebumps will satisfy its core audience - fans of R.L. Stine's popular children's books - and bore pretty much everyone else. Some of the wittier one-liners and more affecting emotional moments feel undermined by the frenzy of chaotic excess. It's rare to see Halloween fodder suitable for the family, but Goosebumps offers a few scares with a heaping dose of humor. Black gets to show us his ability to play nasty, distant and angry -- all in a way we really have never seen from him before. The bottom line is: It works perfectly. Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, and Ryan Lee all play stock kids movie archetypes, but bring enough personality and charm to the table to make their familiar characters likable. Talented character actors like Amy Ryan and Jillian Bell are under-used, but make the most of their small roles as Zach's mom and zany aunt, respectively. Goosebumps goes a long way on its retro charms and spirited performances, including a clever cameo by the real Stine. And so what if the chief villain is a bit wooden? Surely that's part of the attraction.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).