Goosebumps (2015)

I had never read any of the GooseBumps books and I'm not really a fan of it, however other then the art of it which I really like and the concept of a child like wonder and the iconic TV show theme, but as a goofy, horror book with a twist, also I hear many people on the internet prising this movie. Which is surprising considering this is Sony Animation we are taking about! The company that made The Emoji Movie also made Spider-Verse! So, fair enough, okay I'll give this movie a chance. So after watching it what do I think? It's alright. It's not anything special but for a Sony movie it could have done so much worse, but it didn't. It sets out to do one thing, to be a GooseBumps movie. The movie is clearly is not trying to sugar-coat this as the greatest movie of all time or the heroes save the world by a book, the movie knows it's a GooseBumps movie.

Without a further-a-do let's get reading Goosebumps:

The Animation: Here's a random fact for you guys, Rob Letterman the director of this movie is also produced the early animation test for Shrek (which has now leak online) and what's even weirder he's the same guy (direct or screen write, I can't remember) who made the masterpiece Shark Tale. Any ways, I think the animation is good! It has some motion blur is distracting at points but that's part of the cheese feel of the TV show, so there's one faith thing. Also appreciate that not everything is just CGI but other things are people in costume and I really admire people who put their effort into it.

Remember, nowadays we are getting BlockBusters that only rely on CGI in a dull, bland way. The animation on the Mantis is amazing actually and perfectly captures the creepy(ness) of it.

The characters: To best start this review, I want to talk about the characters, well, its because there isn't a lot to say with a few exceptions.

Zack and Hannah is fine, they aren't annoying they are just there. But Champ is actually pretty funny. Ryan Lee dose a great job of giving him a naïve performance, he's just a guy who happens to be in GooseBumps and it's understandable because, they are powerful monsters. BUT HOLY SHRIMP does Jack Black as R.L Stine steals the entire show for me! The reason I love he's performance here because this time he's a serious character instead of the usual comedic guy, he's a little serious in a comedic way, like when first introduced he's emotionless but to me it's so funny. So I'm glad that Jack Black does something a bit different and also he's mean spirited side, like he break Champs phone, hilarious.

The funny is funny: Surprisingly the people give it there best shot, well it's not comedy gold but I think the movie perfectly balance it by not too much and again Jack Black is the soul of this! I think the script is well done enough.

The story: Its alright, maybe the weakest one of the aspect of the movie for me, there isn't a lot to bite but again its not too convoluted or too complex and it doesn't need that. In fact the scene where Hannah is reveal she's not fake is done surprisingly very subtlety.

Final Thoughts: So overall, GooseBumps is a likable fun little movie, its not perfect or a Halloween classic but again it could have done so much worse because there are worse Sony Animated films out there. Compare to the other live-action Sony Movie, The Smurfs. Yeah it's night and day! The Smurfs feel like a corporate product for babies to be distract, the Smurfs designs looked very creepy and who even approve it? Here, even if I don't love it, this actually feels like people having fun and passion. The R.L Stine cameo call R.L Stine and Jack Black calls him Black. Huh! Switch roles! It also shows that you don't need fan service and just for the fans but the audience too. Fair enough you guys, you done a good job! Rob Letterman, what a strange little man!

So that's everything I got to say!