Goosebumps

[kevinknapman]

Enjoyed Goosebumps last night, which plays like a fun throwback to kids movies of the 80s and 90s.
As others have said it's basically a cross between Gremlins and Jumanji, as the screenwriters overcome the obstacle of which Goosebumps book to adapt by making author RL Stine a central character (played by Jack Black) who sees all of his creations escape from the pages of the books out in to the real world.
As a result the wealth of horror characters available lets the filmmakers indulge themselves no end, with psychotic gnomes, an abominable snowman, a werewolf and an evil ventriloquist dummy (voiced by Black) amongst the many monsters on display.

If it perhaps lacks the anarchic spirit of Gremlins and Black is certainly no Robin Williams, it doesn't suffer too much from the comparison and is an entertaining film in its own right.
It's also definitely an improvement on Gulliver's Travels, former animation director Rob Letterman's last attempt at a live action Jack Black picture.

Oh and it also saves its cutest gag to the end with an appropriate (and appropriately named) cameo.

A couple of niggling plot holes did bother me. If the books must be locked and never opened how were they transcribed and published?
Plus if RL Stine is such a recluse moving repeatedly under a fake name, why was his typewriter in a display cabinet in the local school with his name attached? I seem to recall something about it being the safest place for it but that doesn't really explain how it got there in the first place.
And as other's have mentioned why was an abandoned funfair connected to a power supply and wouldn't the authorities spot it lit up like that?
Though it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the film overall.

[jools1011]

I had heard good things about this before going to see it last weekend and was not disappointed! I didn't enjoy Gulliver's Travels as much as I thought I would so am glad this wasn't the same. It definitely kept me and my 11 year old entertained. I particularly loved all the "Steve King" references throughout the film!

[sfancy]

I really enjoyed this as did my kids!

[katy.white]

Completely lived up to the books! A film for everyone 8/10

[raj101]

good film for a childrens book

4 stars.

[missgotty]

I can see how young kids would enjoy this film but as an adult I couldn't wait to get out of the cinema as did my friend, in fact we left before the end. I think the main reason I didn't like it is because there are so many films very similar to this so they are always very predictable.

3/10

[sfancy]

I grew up watching the goosebumps series and reading the books so for me-this was awesome!