**Initial Reaction**
I want to preface the fact that I am not that familiar with the original Goosebumps books or television show.

**The Good**
• The way this movie actually feels like a Goosebumps book would play out over the first movie is a major plus.
• Slappy felt more menacing in this movie, giving him a haunting presence whenever on screen.
• The kids were also pretty good. Some better than others, but they are giving it what they have to offer a movie such as this.
• Inventive ways to get in and out of trouble. More so than the other Jack Black film that came out a few weeks ago, _The House with a Clock in its Walls_.
• Uses the right amount of time with certain characters and knows when to not use them. A big plus for the morals here.

**The Bad**
• Poor use of the music score. Sony has a tendency to throw in some of their licenced songs in films. This suffers from that as well. The score from the original Goosebumps movie was a good eerie and fun piece. Here, it's pretty much only used in the opening credits. Leaving most of the film relying on cliche jumpscare noises and some unoriginal dramatic music.
• Dynamic of characters here is a big step in the other direction. The first movie had it's cliches with the family, sure. But here, it's just diving deeper into the pit of family tropes in kids horror stories. Having major plot points revolve around specific characters that we don't care about.
• Like I said before, it has the upper hand for some morals. But, they are only a few compared to the wide range they tried to squeeze in here. Not focusing on one cohesive lesson hurts the story, though, not as much as other movies. The bully aspect here is toned down a lot from the other movie mentioned before. So that is something.
• Humour is meshed with frightening moments too abruptly. This was a factor in the film _It_ but it worked there for the switching of characters. Here, everyone is always in the same place. A group.
• Slappy may be more menacing. But, they show too much when they should show nothing. More is less when it comes to showcasing and building fear. But sadly, that doesn't happen here. It makes it more lighthearted and playful when it should be more scary, with the set up for Slappy being so good.

**Conclusion**
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is nothing really special. It takes a step back from what made its predecessor such a surprise. Basically copying that film and taking its time to dull the horror down for more fun times. But I guess, kids won't mind. The imagery should have been a spectacle considering what they could have done for the holiday. But it ends up being dull, unimaginative and unoriginal. A Halloween movie that's fun, but loses its wonder the first one gave us. _The twist_ as the first praised the original books for. Is nowhere to be seen here. This "scary" kids movie is just a PG substitute for Anabelle.