Goosebumps Movie Review: Disney’s Terrifyingly Tantalizing Take on the Beloved Books

Goosebumps on Disney+: A Missed Opportunity for Terrifying and Tantalizing Television

Introduction

Disney+ has been known to dominate the streaming service market with its vast selection of content, but its latest adaptation of RL Stine’s beloved horror series, Goosebumps, falls short of expectations. While the series has potential, Disney‘s mishandling of the launch and its departure from the source material have left fans feeling unsatisfied. Nevertheless, there are moments of giddy delight and perfectly pitched scares that capture the essence of Stine’s books.

Disney+: The Foie Gras of Streaming Services

Disney+ has garnered a reputation as the “foie gras” of streaming services, not for its refinement, but rather for its tendency to overwhelm audiences with excessive content. This is evident in its treatment of franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, where it has stretched the boundaries of storytelling to the point of exhaustion. Unfortunately, Goosebumps has fallen victim to this pattern, as Disney fails to deliver a satisfactory series launch.

A Sturdy Franchise to Adapt

Despite Disney‘s missteps, Goosebumps proves to be a sturdy franchise that can withstand various adaptations. Since RL Stine’s books first hit shelves, Goosebumps has made its mark in different media forms, including television, movies, games, comics, and musicals. Each iteration has managed to retain the essence of the Goosebumps DNA, although they have varied in tone and approach. This new TV series attempts to channel the success of Stranger Things by featuring a group of schoolchildren who explore the mysterious occurrences plaguing their town.

Tonal Shifts and a Lack of Nostalgia

While the series draws inspiration from Stranger Things, it lacks the nostalgic irony that made the latter so popular. Goosebumps is set in the present day, devoid of the 1980s references that characterized its predecessor. Additionally, the absence of cute, child protagonists, and the casting of older actors as high school students sometimes detracts from the immersion. The lack of continuity in appearances, especially with Justin Long playing a teacher who looks far younger than he actually is, creates unnecessary confusion for viewers.

When It Sticks to the Source Material: Moments of Giddy Delight

Despite its flaws, Goosebumps manages to shine when it stays true to RL Stine’s books. The episodes available at launch feature moments of giddy delight that perfectly capture the essence of the source material. For younger viewers, the scares are just enough to provide thrills without feeling condescending. Scenes like a character being visited by clones after banging their head on a cuckoo clock or a thrillseeker gaining powers from eating worms exhibit the kind of twisted imagination that made Stine’s books so beloved.

A Well-Judged Cast

The cast of Goosebumps is a standout aspect of the series. Despite the casting confusion mentioned earlier, Justin Long delivers a tremendous performance, seamlessly transitioning between goofy and menacing. His portrayal captures the duality of the character, and he appears to be thoroughly enjoying the role. The ensemble cast as a whole brings an authenticity to the high school setting.

A Promising Start: The Future Lies in Disney‘s Hands

Goosebumps on Disney+ holds the promise of captivating audiences if handled correctly. However, Disney must resist the temptation to milk the franchise with unnecessary spin-offs and instead focus on delivering quality content. Moreover, Disney needs to learn from its mistakes by ensuring episodes are uploaded in the correct order, as the launch blunder is unforgivable.

Conclusion

Goosebumps on Disney+ may have stumbled in its initial launch, leaving fans disappointed with missing episodes and a departure from the source material. However, there are glimpses of potential within the series that capture the essence of RL Stine’s beloved books. It remains to be seen whether Disney can course-correct and deliver a truly terrifying and tantalizing adaptation that satisfies fans’ hunger for Goosebumps.