R.L. Stine's legion of adolescent fans will probably be disappointed with director Rob Letterman's film adaptation of his popular Goosebumps series of novels which have sold over 400 million copies worldwide. The film stars Jack Black as a fictionalized version of the author.

Zach (Dylan Minnette) has been sullen since the recent death of his father. And he is not happy at being forced to move to Madison, Wyoming, after his mother Gale (Amy Ryan) accepted a position as vice-principal of the high school there.

But Zach's viewpoint changes after a chance encounter with his mysterious next door neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush), through a gap in the backyard fence separating their respective homes. Unfortunately, Hannah's creepy father Mr. Shivers (Jack Black) noticed the pair talking from his upstairs window. He tells Zach that if he ever comes near Hannah or their fence again something sinister will immediately befall him. This doesn't prevent Hannah and Zach from meeting at an abandoned carnival the next evening. Hannah reveals that her father, the only other individual she has contact with, doesn't allow her to leave the house and acts as her teacher. 

When Zach hears shrieks coming from Hannah's room that evening, he becomes alarmed. From his window, he sees shadows on her bedroom curtains, and this leads him to think Mr. Shivers was physically attacking Hannah. The police send bumbling officer Stephens (Timothy Simons) and his overzealous rookie partner Brooks (Amanda Lund) to investigate, but they find nothing out of the ordinary. This infuriates Zach. For his own peace of mind, he realizes he must locate Hannah himself by searching her home to ensure she is safe. 

Zach and friend Champ (Ryan Lee) get more than they bargained for upon entering Hannah's home. They stumble across multiple handwritten manuscripts from reclusive author R.L. Stine in Mr. Shivers's study. To open them, each requires a key, which they find conveniently hidden under glass. Startled by the sudden appearance of Hannah, they inadvertently fling open the pages of one of Stine's novels after it tumbles to the ground unleashing the Abominable Snowman.

When Mr. Shivers lures the creature back inside the book, Zach and Champ realize that he is the real R. L. Stine. A crisis occurs when a ventriloquist dummy named Slappy (voiced by Jack Black) is inadvertently released from one of Stine's books. Slappy has no intention of ever returning to the pages of the book, and neither do his cohorts who are now on the loose. 

Director Rob Letterman seems inexperienced at directing actors. Goosebumps is only his second live-action film following Gulliver's Travels, and he directs Goosebumps with a frenetic pace losing control of his cast from the onset.

None of the CGI rendered ghouls and assorted creatures look convincing. As a result they lack the ability to scare viewers. Furthermore, the cast's reaction to them doesn't appear genuine. Screenwriter Darren Lemke's one dimensional characters need to be properly fleshed out.

The film's considerable talent, enthusiasm and the manic energy of Jack Black cannot overcome Lemke's weak screenplay and Letterman's chaotic direction. Still, Odeya Rush stands out as Hannah. I enjoyed her multi-layered portrayal of the troubled Hannah as constantly preoccupied and hiding a dark secret from everyone else.

(Released by Sony Pictures. Rated "PG" for scary and intense creature action and images, and for some rude humor.)