TL;DR
Slappy the doll is back, and this time he's unleashing even more spooky creatures! Goosebumps 2 follows a new group of kids who accidentally revive Stine's creations, but this sequel struggles to recapture the magic of the first. Jack Black's role is minimal, the script feels uninspired, and plot holes abound. While the UHD presentation boasts impressive Dolby Atmos sound and plenty of extras, the film itself is a lackluster effort that pales in comparison to its predecessor. If you're curious if the audio alone makes this worth picking up, you'll have to read the full review.
Goosebumps 2 centers on the ventriloquist doll Slappy, who is inadvertently released from R.L. Stine’s unpublished book, Haunted Halloween, after being discovered by two young scrap collectors. Initially, Slappy appears helpful, but the boys soon realize the grave error of their actions as they must now defend their town from Slappy’s unleashed magical creatures.
The original Goosebumps film introduced viewers to three young protagonists who accidentally freed R.L. Stine’s creations from his enchanted books. In this sequel, Goosebumps 2 mirrors this plot point with a new trio repeating the same mistake. The solution implemented here is a completely new cast, foregoing the original film’s characters in favor of these new faces.
Jack Black, who played a prominent role as R.L. Stine in the first film, is notably absent from the majority of this sequel, only appearing in the third act. SPOILER ALERT His presence contributes virtually nothing to the overall narrative. Black’s limited involvement suggests a brief, one-day shoot. Budgetary constraints may have been a factor in his limited role; however, one might question whether a sequel should be produced if it cannot secure comparable funding to its predecessor. In the original Goosebumps, Jack Black also provided the voice of Slappy, a role now assumed by voice-over veteran Mick Wingert.
Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, and Caleel Harris, portraying the new group of teenagers, deliver their performances within the confines of uninspired direction and a lackluster script. One particular sequence exemplifies the apparent lack of attention to detail: The boys attempt to retrieve the stolen book from a bully’s residence. They carefully sneak past the bully’s sleeping grandmother in the living room, emphasizing the need for silence. However, upon their descent, the grandmother is nowhere to be seen. The film provides no explanation for her disappearance, yet the boys proceed to make considerable noise without concern for being detected, suggesting a deleted scene and a failure to address the omission coherently. A similar issue arises near the film’s conclusion during a struggle for the book. Without spoiling the ending, the narrative feels incomplete, mirroring the unresolved grandmother subplot.
Despite its shortcomings, the film does offer some redeeming qualities. A particular pumpkin gag elicited genuine laughter, and the UHD edition itself is well-executed. The film’s budget limitations are evident in the 4K UHD transfer, which lacks the visual polish of titles such as Overlord. However, the Dolby Atmos sound design is a significant strength, delivering an impactful audio experience. While Goosebumps 2 may not excel as a film, its audio presentation approaches reference quality. The edition also includes a comprehensive array of supplemental materials, ranging from gag reels to documentaries. Overall, it’s a well-rounded edition, marred only by the film’s mediocrity.
In conclusion, while Goosebumps 2 may not be primarily targeted at a 42-year-old audience, it lacks the charm, excitement, and character development present in the first film. The sequel feels decidedly uninspired. The UHD edition somewhat mitigates this deficiency.
