Goosebumps: The Stories Are Real product reviews

The Goosebumps brand is one of those that has a special place in my childhood. Though I wasn't big into making sure that I read every book that was available, I adored the TV series and got to re-watch them recently with my three kids when some came out on Netflix. So when the trailer came out all four of us were keen to see it and go we did (as well as then buy it on DVD and re-watch it many times since). The film follows the basic plot of any Goosebumps tale, kid notices something strange going on, monsters happen and a twist near the end that wasn't always expected, maybe two if the writer feels like it.

Zach has just moved to a new town, gets befriended by Champ the local school outsider and begins to develop feelings for his neighbour Hannah, who has the creepy parental figure. The plot isn't anything thrilling but it is fun and it was entertaining to see some of the various characters come to life. The use of CGI was very much needed and whilst it wasn't anything amazing, the majority of it looked real enough, which is always a plus otherwise you're distracted by it. My kids love the various monsters that come to life, the most popular being Fi-Fi the vampire dog (mostly because it can fly).

This movie will never win awards but it manages to evoke the nostalgia for those who devoured and enjoyed the ever popular books and TV series. This has ended up well worth the initial cost of purchase as it has been viewed multiple times and many more to come.

Since seeing the adverts on Television and after reading the book 'Night of the Living Monsters' which was based on this movie my daughter and I have been dying to see this movie. I am sure anyone who read the books growing up must feel the same way. The memories of the various night time reads come flooding back at even the mention of the word "Goosebumps". So when I received this DVD everyone in the household was extremely excited to watch.

This must one of the very few family movies we have all sat around the television in complete silence and totally immersed in the screen. It held everyones attention 'completely' even during the slow periods. Both girls where totally transfixed. Even during the 'scary parts' my four year old would just walk over and either cuddle her daddy and me until it had finished and then would go back to sitting with her elder sister, never taking her eyes of the screen. I have to say the clown is things nightmares are made of, much scarier then American Horror Storys Clown. My eldest loved the zombie dog and my youngest liked Slappy.

For any Goosebumps fans out there you have to watch this. A variety of 'monsters' make an appearance as they try to catch R.L. Stine and get their revenge for being locked up in a book for most of their lives. It has a lot of layers to the story so it does not get too tedious. I enjoyed it and my girls are already asking if they can rewatch tomorrow, even my husband only had positive things to say about the movie.

It has a lot of fast paced exciting parts through out the movie and although aimed at children it is a good watch for adults as well. The special effects/creatures are not that fantastic but considering who the audience they are aiming for it does the trick. It has enough humour to not freak the little ones out completely and with the added edition of Jack Black he keeps you entertained. I found the casting was great and I enjoyed the added plot twists that the book failed to mention so even I was caught off guard on a couple of occasions.

I am a sucker for cameos so was extremely excited when we worked out that the real R.L. Stine made an appearance. It was only a walk by it was still rather neat, although strangely his name is not mentioned in the credits. My daughter is already deciding what Goosebumps character she wants to read about next, definitely renewed her love affair with the books.