Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)
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Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween Movie Review
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is a 2018 family horror comedy film directed by Ari Sandel and starring Madison Iseman. It’s a pretty solid movie in its own right.
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“Wow! Someone’s going to win a costume contest!“
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The plot follows two young boys accidentally releasing monsters, demons and creatures from the Goosebumps franchise in their town after opening an unpublished Goosebumps manuscript titled Haunted Halloween, causing a wave of destruction on Halloween night. Obviously the plot isn’t as good as the one in the original, but it’s not bad either. I found it serviceable for the franchise and its target audience.
Yes, critics have been too harsh toward this film. Yes, it’s forgettable and that is its biggest curse. But it’s still very competent across most of its aspects. In particular, I found it very entertaining to watch, light, funny and most importantly likable in characters and atmospheric in its tone. But the final third did feel too typical to me.
I really liked the film’s characters, even if they aren’t as memorable as the ones in the previous entry. Jack Black only arrives in the final act and he’s fine, though not great and too silly. But I did really like both of the boys and their friendship whereas Sarah is the highlight for sure. Madison Iseman did such a commendable job for a rarely known actress.
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is well paced and mostly well directed by Ari Sandel who didn’t shine here, but was nonetheless quite competent. And that’s what this entire movie is – competent and solid, but never great and never inspired.
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I did like its dialogue and humor quite a bit, but then again the first ‘Goosebumps’ remains better in that and every other regard. I found this movie somewhat on par with this year’s similar in tone and style ‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’ and both movies need to be seen more, especially by children for whom they are intended. Goosebumps 2 also features terrific special effects, again memorable Slappy and a very strong atmosphere and build up. I wanted more horror thrills though as the movie plays it too safe in that area.
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is never as good as the original was and it’s simply a forgettable film in the bigger scope of things, but it’s still very solid, underrated and competent across the board with likable characters, strong effects, very good atmosphere and an uninspired, but still fun story.
