GOOSEBUMPS 2: HAUNTED HALLOWEEN
US, 2018, 90 minutes, Colour.
Wendy Mc Lendon- Covey, Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris, Ken Jeong, Chris Parnell, Bryce Cass, Jack Black, Mick Wingert.
Directed by Ari Sandel.
Robert Lawrence Stine, R.L.Stine, has written a large number of fantasy stories, ghost and Goosebumps stories. Many of them have been transferred to television and some to the cinema screen. He has contributed to the writing, some of the production – and has some cameo appearances in the two Goosebumps movies.
This is a sequel to the 2015 Goosebumps starring Jack Black as Stine himself, becoming involved in the stories.
This film focuses on Halloween and has all the visuals, images and trappings of celebrating Halloween, some trick or treating, but also a vast range of ghosts and spectres, a haunted Halloween.
Some youngsters find a book, open it, and out come all the ghosts and goblins, led by ventriloquist doll called Slappy who finds his own voice and wants to take control of the story and all the characters. There is mayhem throughout the town. And Ken Jeong provides some comedy and extra mayhem.
Interestingly, there is a focus on the scientist, Nikolai Tesla, the tower in the town named after him – and all kinds of happenings with electricity and characters having to climb the tower.
Besides the children, there is also their mother involved in the goings-on, she finally being trapped by Slappy and her daughter having to leave the children to free her, tied at the top of the tower.
How to control the mayhem? The theory is that the book should be opened and all the creatures drawn back inside. Doesn’t always happen. Finally, the girl uses her intelligence, tricks Slappy with a copy of Frankenstein which he thinks is the Halloween book – and all go back into the book, the girl telling Slappy he should not judge a book by its cover!
Towards the end, Stine himself, in the form of Jack Black, arrives, finds that he couldn’t compose an ending to this particular story but now he can and put it in the cupboard along with all his other volumes.
A film for children more than adults – frightening for some, exhilarating Lee frightening for others, which is the point!
1. The stories of R.L.Stine, fantasy, touches of horror? Film versions, television versions?
2. The Halloween background, the derivation, the visuals, costumes, myths, the children and trickle treat?
3. The introduction of the Tesla themes, the tower and its use, electricity?
4. The town, Middle America, the family, the mother and children, the friends, school? The friendly neighbour?
5. The issue of the book, finding it, the opening, the release of the elements? Slappy, the ventriloquist doll, his manner of speaking, personality, control? The confrontations?
6. The range of creased creatures, ghosts, Walter and his assisting Slappy?
7. The reaction of the children, brother and sister, their friend, their mother, her being taken, the need for rescue?
8. The plan for the recovery of the book, opening the book, the creatures and ghosts being absorbed? Losing the book?
9. The contribution of each child, the comedy with their neighbour? Climbing the tower, Slappy and the tower?
10. The girl, the book, finding the alternate book? Climbing the tower, to rescue the mother? Tricking Slappy with the alternate book? Not judging by its cover? Opening the book and everything being absorbed into the book?
11. The aftermath, the son and his science award? The happy family?
12. Jack Black resuming his role of R.L. Stine, the visit, talking about his book, his range of books, trying to help, the book having no ending – his encouraging the girl to write what she knew, his completion of his book and putting it in the cupboard with the rest of his work?
