Television Review: Goosebumps – Disney Proves That the Books Were an Absolute Blast

Introduction

Disney+ has been known for its overwhelming amount of content, but its latest venture, the adaptation of RL Stine’s Goosebumps series, has left viewers both excited and disappointed. While the series captures the essence of Stine’s beloved horror tales, Disney‘s mishandling of the series launch has left fans frustrated. Despite this setback, the potential of the Goosebumps franchise on Disney+ is undeniable.

A Missed Opportunity

Disney has built a reputation for saturating beloved franchises, such as Star Wars and Marvel, with never-ending content. Unfortunately, the same fate seems to have befallen Goosebumps. On the day of its release, only two out of the promised five episodes were made available, and to make matters worse, these two episodes were not even the first two in the series. This mishap has triggered disappointment among avid Goosebumps fans.

The Strength of the Franchise

However, the silver lining in this situation is the resilience of the Goosebumps franchise. Over the past three decades, the series has successfully ventured into various media forms, including TV, movies, games, comics, and musicals. Each adaptation has managed to retain the core elements of Stine’s books while offering its own unique twist. This latest series on Disney+ takes a tonal shift and draws inspiration from the popular show Stranger Things. It follows a group of schoolchildren investigating strange occurrences after a fellow student’s death.

A Departure from Nostalgia

Unlike Stranger Things, Goosebumps sets itself in the present day, eliminating any nostalgic irony. The absence of adorable children further distinguishes it from its Netflix counterpart. Instead, the series adopts a more traditional high school setting, where the characters, unfortunately, appear much older than their roles demand. The confusion is not helped by the casting of Justin Long, who looks surprisingly young for his age.

The Struggle with Pacing

The Stranger Things homage is evident in the pacing of the episodes. While they contain the expected jumps and scares, they are plagued by prolonged, soap opera-like scenes focusing on the characters’ emotions and relationships. One subplot involving a teacher engaging in an affair with a local widow feels like a relic from a failed 90s soap opera. This approach is frustrating because the true essence of Goosebumps shines through when the series embraces Stine’s original vision.

The Delightful Moments

Fortunately, when Goosebumps stays true to its roots, it becomes a delightful and thrilling experience. The two episodes available at launch feature moments of pure joy and excitement. In one episode, a character bangs his head on a cuckoo clock, leading to a surreal encounter with multiple versions of himself in a classic Goosebumps twist. Another episode focuses on a thrill-seeking character who gains extraordinary abilities after consuming worms. The conclusion of this episode showcases expert character design reminiscent of Bong Joon-ho’s The Host.

A Well-Chosen Cast

The cast of Goosebumps is well-chosen, with Justin Long delivering a standout performance. Despite his youthful appearance, Long effectively portrays a character oscillating between goofy and menacing. His ability to strike the right tone adds depth to the series. It is evident that Long is fully engaged in his role and thoroughly enjoying himself.

The Future of Goosebumps on Disney+

While this new adaptation of Goosebumps shows promise, Disney must exercise caution in its handling of the franchise. Avoiding the temptation to exploit the property with unnecessary spin-offs is crucial. Equally important is ensuring that episodes are uploaded in the correct order to avoid frustrating fans. Mistakes like these are simply unforgivable.

Conclusion

Despite the disappointing launch, the Goosebumps series on Disney+ has proved that the books were indeed an absolute blast. Its fusion of horror, humor, and excitement resonates with fans of all ages. With proper handling, Goosebumps has the potential to become a well-loved addition to Disney‘s vast library of content.