Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

I really enjoyed this one, it's alot smaller in scale then the first film, which makes it a nice change of pace. But for me it never gets boring. It actually feels more of the shows episode "Night of the Dummy 2" in the 1995-1998 Show which Is available on YouTube. So with all that said, "Let's review "Goosebumps 2:Haunted Halloween".

I like the kids dynamic, they have lots of good moments together. Especially when they are talking about the invention of the lights and electricity from Nicola Tesla, which created for lots of funny moments. And it was equally as fun seeing Slappy in that moment too, as it also gives alot of laughs and fun scenarios with them start to break loose.

They try and take him after they have had enough of him, however Slappy never leaves there sight as he is still appearing out of nowhere. So the gang decide to see what might happen if they do something else, and it keeps going like that. It's interesting because Slappy is still very threatening, and the gang are still having to think of ways to stop him.

The Good thing about this film, is it feels like a longer version of the siries, which is mostly interesting and they pulled it off pretty well whilst still making it interesting enough and I was entertained with what was going on. And the film had great characters that bounced of each other very well, as they did have lots of onscreen presence and very good chemistry.

The history was brought into the film well, with Nicola Tesla inventing the lights. And the gang seeing the energy source. I really liked the lights shining out into the town, it was a great scene. And Jack Black also turns out to be around that area where he then helps the gang out to defeat Slappy.

For me, this film is simple but effective. It needed more Jack Black as he always is great, but seeing other characters in the Goosebumps world is always an intreging idea and concept. I also which they developed the characters a bit more, however this film was Good enough and did it's job perfectly well.

Would I recommend this film?

Yes absolutely, a shorter scaled film that's entertaining, this is the right film for you-6.5/10.

Stand alone, this could make up as a pretty good children's halloween movie, it even has some morals kids would normally get in a kid's movie. BUT The first Goosebumps movie was enjoyable for almost all audiences despite some jokes being to childish and I expected so much

I think the actors did a good job but the characters that they had to give life to were just poorly imagined and too flat.

Also, Jack Black's appearance although we would have wanted more was clearly unnecessary and was treated as a narration or explanation if you haven't watched the first movie. It would have been better without him if they were just going to let him do that.

I quite enjoyed Goosebumps (2015) it was silly larger than life fun based on books I certainly enjoyed as a child. I did however not expect a sequel!

Led by two very entertaining kids, flanked by the always likeable Wendi McLendon-Covey and less so Ken Jeong the movies cast is a solid one.

SFX? Ropey in places but the movie is on a big scale, monsters of all shapes and sizes so the cgi is rife.

Plot? Highly generic stuff but passable enough to kill 90 minutes with.

So where do the real issues lay? Well the tone seems rather different, this doesn't feel like a loyal Goosebumps sequel it feels like something you'd watch on a Saturday morning with your kids. It feels like Kenan & Kel Halloween special, the horror is pretty much non-existent and instead is a full on goofy family comedy. That really damaged the film for me, sure I didn't expect actual horror but a degree of threat like the first movie would have been nice and not a full on children's movie. Absolutely no parental supervision needed for this one!

I enjoyed all the wacky monsters, I liked how bright and colorful the whole thing was and how the two leads managed to be likeable despite my hatred for kids. Haunted Halloween isn't bad, it's just very disappointing and if this is the direction they're going in then I'm not fussed for any more films.

The Good:

Looks great for the most part

Cast do a decent job

Great monsters

The Bad:

CGI fails in places

Saturday morning tone did nothing for me

Not as good as the first one,but still a fun movie with a decent cast.. perfect for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and for the kids.

The original Goosebumps movie took me by surprise when it came out in 2015. It had fun likable characters and a great villain in Slappy the evil dummy.

Fast forward 3 years and here's the sequel. 99% of the cast from the original is missing and the new characters aren't as interesting. They're serviceable but kind of forgettable. The story is also not as well paced as the original and is too fast for its own good coming in as a little too short. It needed about another 10 minutes or so in its last act.

But I can't hate it because it's still a lot of fun. Once again Slappy steals the show and there's some surprisingly creepy scenes involving him early on in the movie. The other Goosebumps monsters are fun too and the halloween setting puts a smile on my face. I also really dug the musical score by Dominic Lewis.

If you have kids I highly recommend taking them to this one. Although there might be a few scenes too scary for the younger ones it's the perfect horror movie for them to watch during the Halloween season.

Buy a ticket, some popcorn and a soda and have fun.