That’s right, dear readers! My first mini midweek review will launch the Goosebumps review page! For those of us who grew up in the 90s Goosebumps was a staple of reading and television. Even if you didn’t like Goosebumps (or your parents wouldn’t allow it in the house) you were at least well aware of this famous children’s horror series. When I was growing up I had a VHS copy of The Haunted Mask 2. Since I usually missed the show when it actually aired--usually due to a scared little sister--I spent many a weekend rewatching this same episode over and over again. But that is a review for another day. Today I will begin the Goosebumps TV reviews, going in order, with episode 1: The Girl Who Cried Monster.
I was overestatic as a child when they announced this TV series and this was the very first episode I watched. (I hadn’t actually read any of the books yet because my mother and teachers said I wasn’t smart or advanced enough to read Goosebumps. But I was still obsessed with the series and was happy when it was finally available on television.)
This episode opens with a young girl who is obsessed with monsters! Mostly she uses her fascination to tease her brother. She tricks him into thinking there were monsters everywhere. And of course her brother is very jumpy and scared. Her parents are getting tired of this whole ordeal and repeatedly ask her to quit.
It isn’t until one late night at the library that this girl begins to regret her constant lies and tale tales. After forgetting her skates (Yes, very 90s) she runs back into the darkened library to hear some sickening crunchy and slurping noises. As she peeks through the books she watches as her teacher transforms, with some ridiculously cheap special effects, into a real monster.
I was overestatic as a child when they announced this TV series and this was the very first episode I watched. (I hadn’t actually read any of the books yet because my mother and teachers said I wasn’t smart or advanced enough to read Goosebumps. But I was still obsessed with the series and was happy when it was finally available on television.)
This episode opens with a young girl who is obsessed with monsters! Mostly she uses her fascination to tease her brother. She tricks him into thinking there were monsters everywhere. And of course her brother is very jumpy and scared. Her parents are getting tired of this whole ordeal and repeatedly ask her to quit.
It isn’t until one late night at the library that this girl begins to regret her constant lies and tale tales. After forgetting her skates (Yes, very 90s) she runs back into the darkened library to hear some sickening crunchy and slurping noises. As she peeks through the books she watches as her teacher transforms, with some ridiculously cheap special effects, into a real monster.
She runs away to tell her parents and brother. Unfortunetly they don’t believe her because she has cried monster so many times over and over. It is just another tall tale to them. So to get proof she goes to sneak a picture, with a cheap 90s camera, with the flash enabled. Kids just aren’t always that smart in these situations, but who would be at that age?
Needless to say the monster sees her because she takes the picture of him in the dark. She knows he is after her. And what’s worse is that he is coming over for dinner later that week!
So obviously there is a crazy twist ending, as they proclaimed every episode to have. But I won’t reveal the ending for those of you who are 15 years behind. Haha. This show is so silly and low budget that you have to laugh and enjoy it. Not all the episodes are created equally as in any TV show. But for an introductory pilot episode this one does fairly well. It excited me as a kid and it still silly fun to watch today. I may also be biased since I enjoy writing children’s horror fiction.
Needless to say the monster sees her because she takes the picture of him in the dark. She knows he is after her. And what’s worse is that he is coming over for dinner later that week!
So obviously there is a crazy twist ending, as they proclaimed every episode to have. But I won’t reveal the ending for those of you who are 15 years behind. Haha. This show is so silly and low budget that you have to laugh and enjoy it. Not all the episodes are created equally as in any TV show. But for an introductory pilot episode this one does fairly well. It excited me as a kid and it still silly fun to watch today. I may also be biased since I enjoy writing children’s horror fiction.
Summing it Up
Yes, the transformation scenes are cheap and ridiculous. The costumes for the monsters look hilarious and clunky. Is it still fun? Of course it is, it’s Goosebumps. If you liked the books as a kid or if your kid likes the new ones still being released today you should check out this show. This episode is a good jumping point as it is fun, silly, and not too scary. Just remember: Viewer Beware, You’re in for a Scare!
Deaths: 1
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 4
Overall Rating: 3
Deaths: 1
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 4
Overall Rating: 3