Goosebumps - Trailer Review

Goosebumps is one of my earliest memories as a child, being frightened by the TV Show and enthralled by the books, but at the same time watching it now and i realise how over-flowing it is in 90's decor, iconography and even just the simple writing style, but also how unscary the stories are. When I heard the initial concept of the Goosebumps movie I was ecstatic, then the announcement of Jack Black as the author R.L. Stein got me even more interested, combine that with the author's constant praise of the production of the film and you have me sold on the movie without seeing a single frame of it. The film follows the story of a teenage boy moving into a new neighbourhood who's next door neighbour happens to be Goosebumps author R.L. Stein. After accidentally opening one of his Goosebumps books, all of the creatures in his stories begin to come to life and the group have to seal them all back inside.

Just think about how original of an idea that is, not from a narrative stand point, but a pre-production stand point. In a society obsessed with recapturing the nostalgia of 90's pop culture, a Goosebumps reboot was all but guaranteed, but rather than just remaking the famous stories of the franchise, they create something entirely new with the source material and really think up a plot outside the box. If anything this isn't really based on the Goosebumps stories, but the opening of the Goosebumps TV Show. Pleasing the nostalgia driven audiences of the 90's as well as getting the approval of those seeking something creative and original, reimagining the plot into something different. Even if it is drawing comparisons to Jumanji, it's still a unique twist on the idea.

It remains loyal to the initial tone and ideas of the books and show, with the author's approval and with Jack Black in the lead, my excitement for this film is holding steady and i cannot wait to see it this October.

-Danny