Goosebumps: the Complete Collection (M)
★★★½
"Viewer beware, you're in for a scare!" This 1995-98 US-Canadian kids' horror anthology series was based on the hugely successful series of books by R.L. Stine, who hosts some of the 68 episodes.
The series uses a lot of well-worn horror and fantasy themes but reworks them by playing on fears and ideas kids can relate to – for example, the spookiness of Halloween masks (that possess the wearer) and ventriloquists' dummies (that come to life with malevolent intent), or the way sibling rivalries or the desire for revenge against tormentors can spiral out of control, or wishes can result in unintended consequences. There are ghosts, giant ants, mummys, amusement parks, werewolves, monsters – all manner of menaces. Parents and other authority figures aren't always to be trusted. And there's usually a twist ending.
The special effects can be a little cheesy at times and some of the performances can range from awkward (the kids) to hammy (the adults). And some of the stories work better than others. But at its best, this is a lot of fun. I noticed future stars Ryan Gosling and Hayden Christensen making appearances.
There are no extras which is disappointing – not even an interview with Stine. Still, fans will be glad to have all the episodes together for hours of lightly spooky entertainment, just before the release of the Goosebumps movie.
