I get a kick out of R.L Stine's stories, despite the fact they are written for young children, and watch them all. I expected this movie would be geared for the same audience. However, I was especially curious about this one because is was a full length movie (most are 60 minutes or so). I have to say that I am quite impressed with this! I believe this is the most creative story (movie) I have encountered by him! In the beginning it is a bit silly, but soon becomes very interesting! It keeps you wondering (and that is a great quality)! It is silly, funny, touching, romantic (trust me), and even scarry!
15 Reviews
Halloween's spirit - Christopher Lloyd!
BorissBogdanoff26 August 2006
Such huge rarity for today's time - film with Christopher Lloyd in a leaging role! With the beginning of a new millennium this great actor all less often and less often gives to us pleasure the game, even more often appears on TV in films which are almost unknown a wide audience. To me has carried, I have seen this film.
In a role come back from that light of the grandfather - zombie it is simply delightful. It always ideally accepted such unusual, little bit devil roles - madwomen, maniacs, envoys of a hell, and, on the contrary, representatives of paradise. In this film Lloyd's by game it is possible to enjoy simply - explosive, bright, comical and touching simultaneously game - a stream of transformations, the rubber mimicry so favourite by admirers, uncontrollable splashes in emotions and mad shine in opinion of. As it is a pity, that such roles come across recently to the actor so seldom and as it is insulting, that the general public cannot see it at cinemas.
Excepting Christopher Lloyd's tremendous game, pluss and minuses of television statements are peculiar to film all - the small budget and economy is visible on everything, and especially on special effects, a make-up, suits, a place of shootings... However, it is possible to consider it simply as reserve - yes, special effects far are not ideal, and the script limps, and game of many children leaves much to be desired, - but all fascinatingly, cheerfully, interestingly and very much in spirit of a Halloween - informidable horrors and a kind fairy tale. Separate thanks for the ending, it has appeared unexpected enough and thus touching. And Christopher Lloyd's statue in the ending as if symbolizes merits of the great actor before cinema. In general, the excellent family comedy to look in its evening before a Halloween - lovely business, and during any other time it is possible to look with pleasure at Christopher Lloyd's game!
In a role come back from that light of the grandfather - zombie it is simply delightful. It always ideally accepted such unusual, little bit devil roles - madwomen, maniacs, envoys of a hell, and, on the contrary, representatives of paradise. In this film Lloyd's by game it is possible to enjoy simply - explosive, bright, comical and touching simultaneously game - a stream of transformations, the rubber mimicry so favourite by admirers, uncontrollable splashes in emotions and mad shine in opinion of. As it is a pity, that such roles come across recently to the actor so seldom and as it is insulting, that the general public cannot see it at cinemas.
Excepting Christopher Lloyd's tremendous game, pluss and minuses of television statements are peculiar to film all - the small budget and economy is visible on everything, and especially on special effects, a make-up, suits, a place of shootings... However, it is possible to consider it simply as reserve - yes, special effects far are not ideal, and the script limps, and game of many children leaves much to be desired, - but all fascinatingly, cheerfully, interestingly and very much in spirit of a Halloween - informidable horrors and a kind fairy tale. Separate thanks for the ending, it has appeared unexpected enough and thus touching. And Christopher Lloyd's statue in the ending as if symbolizes merits of the great actor before cinema. In general, the excellent family comedy to look in its evening before a Halloween - lovely business, and during any other time it is possible to look with pleasure at Christopher Lloyd's game!
Enjoyable film for the kids around Halloween
TransAtlantyk11 January 2012
This is one of those films where you need to review it as if you were a child watching on it on the screen. Adults are jaded and kids enjoy much simpler things in that magical childhood haze. If you are an adult you will watch this film and won't really think much of it however it does possess a nice Halloween atmosphere and Christopher Lloyd is enjoyable enough to watch. The plot is ridiculous and the ending is equally absurd but the children will love it and might even get a nice child-like fright out of the whole thing.
It is appropriate for children, a concerned parent should of course watch the film themselves first but there are not many things which one would find offensive to a sufficiently old enough child. Cook up some popcorn and watch this one with your child. Don't be surprised if you find it to drag a little but the little ones will be fascinated.
It is appropriate for children, a concerned parent should of course watch the film themselves first but there are not many things which one would find offensive to a sufficiently old enough child. Cook up some popcorn and watch this one with your child. Don't be surprised if you find it to drag a little but the little ones will be fascinated.
Great.. for kids, that is.
BellaMorteGhoul18 October 2001
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** *Possible Spoilers?*
As a teenager, I don't often watch movies made for kids. But as my little brother sat watching this one, I couldn't help sneaking a peek at it. The cute little 8th grade goth kid with the crazy long black hair and safety pinned tie was WAY too adorable. He was THE coolest kid in the whole movie, although the storyline was a little.. mature for 8 year olds. I was sad when I found out that he dies, and even sadder at the end when I found out the truth. I think the end when the statue is unveiled is one of the best parts, although I was tipped off at who it was earlier in the movie. If you want a good Halloween story, but not all the blood and guts... and a cute goth boy too.. I recommend this one.
As a teenager, I don't often watch movies made for kids. But as my little brother sat watching this one, I couldn't help sneaking a peek at it. The cute little 8th grade goth kid with the crazy long black hair and safety pinned tie was WAY too adorable. He was THE coolest kid in the whole movie, although the storyline was a little.. mature for 8 year olds. I was sad when I found out that he dies, and even sadder at the end when I found out the truth. I think the end when the statue is unveiled is one of the best parts, although I was tipped off at who it was earlier in the movie. If you want a good Halloween story, but not all the blood and guts... and a cute goth boy too.. I recommend this one.
The Halloween Curse
claudio_carvalho30 October 2022
The outcast boy Danny (Joe Pichler) has just moved from Chicago to Walker Falls with his divorced father James Walker (Tom Amandes) that intends to reopen the chocolate factory that belonged to his father "Uncle" Fred Walker (Christopher Lloyd). James has called German investors to visit his town on the Halloween Day to show his Spooktacular plans and have resources to the factory. Danny hates the town since he is bullied at school by Ryan (Craig Marriott) and his minion Leo (Daniel Karrall). He has a crush on the girl Dayna (Brittany Byrnes), who is the daughter of the school nurse Taylor Morgan (Imelda Corcoran) since treat him well. Near to Halloween, Sheriff Ed Frady (Alan Flower) destroy the Halloween decoration at the Walker's garden. While going to school, Danny meets Ryan and Leo and they lock themselves inside the cemetery. Ryan discloses that people from Walker Falls do not celebrate Halloween because of a curse. Twenty years ago, the outcast student and artist of fine arts Curtis Danko (Brendan McCarthy) is participating of a competition and does not show his statue that stays covered during the day and he works at school during the night. One the Halloween night, Ryan's father Mike Kankel (Joe Clements), who is presently the coach and is running for major, sees Danko working at school. On the next morning, he finds the kiln turned on and Danko's skeleton and ashes inside, and a message telling that if the town celebrates any Halloween again, he would come back and destroy the residents. Mike have also stayed blind for three days after seeing his statue that is covered with a shroud and locked inside a crypt in the cemetery. Ryan wants to remove the statue from the crypt to receive money from the population, threatening them to remove the shroud. But on the next day, Uncle Fred dies when a mysterious pile of pumpkins fall on him at the park. However, magic happens and Uncle Fred returns like a zombie, and Curtis Danko and other dead also return looking for Danko's missing statue.
"When Good Ghouls Go Bad" is a funny and highly entertaining film with the story of a Halloween curse in a small town. The plot is a sort of Tim Burton's dark story associated to the former entertainment from Disney, when was a studio for family and children. This film is recommended for family and audiences that like innocent story with a good moral in the end. Christopher Lloyd is the only well-known name in the cast, with his usual and amusing role of a "crazy" guy. In Brazil, this movie has not been released on VHS, DVD or Blu-Ray. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Maldição do Halloween" ("The Halloween Curse")
"When Good Ghouls Go Bad" is a funny and highly entertaining film with the story of a Halloween curse in a small town. The plot is a sort of Tim Burton's dark story associated to the former entertainment from Disney, when was a studio for family and children. This film is recommended for family and audiences that like innocent story with a good moral in the end. Christopher Lloyd is the only well-known name in the cast, with his usual and amusing role of a "crazy" guy. In Brazil, this movie has not been released on VHS, DVD or Blu-Ray. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Maldição do Halloween" ("The Halloween Curse")
This movie starts out really fun, slows in the middle, but makes a comeback in the end.
bensentl5 September 2005
Growing up in a small town in the Great Lakes Region, made this movie a lot of fun, as I was reminded of fun times in my hometown around Halloween. This is a movie dominated by Christopher Lloyd, who takes over the minute his character is introduced. If you enjoy this actor in movies like Back to the Future or his time on the classic TV show Taxi, you will probably enjoy this movie also. Lloyd's character is a bit eccentric, and the interaction between he and his Grandson makes for a lot of laughs. There is also the classic big bully, picking on the underdog little kid, who must overcome his fears in the end. The movie starts to drag about 30 minutes into it, but when the zombies, spooks and ghouls come out to play, the fun kicks back into gear. I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys sitting with the kids and watching a fairly wholesome family show.
Ghouls galore
biker45121 October 2001
A wonderful imaginative and fun Halloween story. Of course one must suspend belief for a while, but it is worth watching. Christopher Lloyd is his usual manic self, and brings life to what would be a typical zombie/monster movie without his energized performance.
When 12 year old Danny Walker moves to his Patriarchal home town in Minnesota he finds that the town does not celebrate Halloween, and things are not quite what they appear to be.
An enjoyable movie that may be destined to be a Halloween classic.
When 12 year old Danny Walker moves to his Patriarchal home town in Minnesota he finds that the town does not celebrate Halloween, and things are not quite what they appear to be.
An enjoyable movie that may be destined to be a Halloween classic.
This is a great movie for getting into the Halloween spirit.
chocolatcheez28 October 2005
I am a Halloween fanatic and this is defiantly my favorite Halloween movie. The small town atmosphere definitely brings it together and there's a little humor and a little gruesome part, although you don't see it. I only have one problem with the deceased Curtis Danko because he looks way too fake. I have enjoyed this movie since it came out because of the way it puts me into the Halloween mood and is a great way to get ideas for any decorations, party ornaments or just an exciting film to watch at home or with friends. I think R.L Stine definitely pulled this one off.
This is a great family movie thats enjoyable for almost any age.
This is a great family movie thats enjoyable for almost any age.
very nice, well written
LittleDrummerGirl28 October 2001
This was actually a very nice movie, Christopher Lloyd making it even more so. He does wonderful acting and is my favorite at comedy other than Will Friedle.
The plot was very well written, even though it followed the traditional Goosebumps storyline. Except for leaving you hanging at the ending, like most of R.L. Stine's books do. (I HATE that!)
Overall, very nice, well written.=)
The plot was very well written, even though it followed the traditional Goosebumps storyline. Except for leaving you hanging at the ending, like most of R.L. Stine's books do. (I HATE that!)
Overall, very nice, well written.=)
Better than Halloweentown by miles!
i_am_bizaze17 February 2006
I remember seeing this with my younger brother near Halloween night a few years ago. To be frank, I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected something boring, dry, and lacking a good script and characters, just like Halloweentown did, but I ended up sitting there at the end sitting at the TV screen with this dopey big grin on my face. Finally, a movie from family channel with a PLOT! Sure, the zombies aren't exactly terrifying, but this is a kid's movie, not Dawn of The Dead. It's always nice to see a dark little movie with a cheery ending once in a blue moon, and this one is that movie!
The only disappointing thing in this movie was the fact that Curtis Danko only said one line, and that they didn't show him before his death for very long. Otherwise, GREAT movie.
The only disappointing thing in this movie was the fact that Curtis Danko only said one line, and that they didn't show him before his death for very long. Otherwise, GREAT movie.
Underrated awesomeness
www-bleeding_demon24 October 2021
Most people i meet havent even heard of this movie ,but its a diamond in the rough. Christopher Lloyd is the only really big name in the film but the whole cast holds their own fantastically in this feel good ,quirky ,mildly spooky film for the whole family .
Has a good message to give.
Cipher-J6 November 2002
As Halloween themed films aimed at the adolescent audience go, this one is a bit quirky, but fairly good. It is told from the grandfather's point of view (who steels every scene), but of course the main character is his adolescent grandson. That one is of the opinion that "he who runs away, lives to fight another day," but eventually that "other" day comes, and he has to learn a lesson. In that regard, the most appealing character turns out to be the young girl that comes into his life. She has a heart, but is also puckish and feisty. Although introduced as a cheerleader, she has both a dark side and a sharpness of wit uncharacteristic of the stereotype, and is anything but an air-head. Otherwise, the story is forgivably absurd, mixing up "Beetlejuice" elements with "Night of the Living Dead" hokum, and sending up the football player mentality against the underdog world of arts and ideas. It also has a rather "remarkable" ending, involving ideas straight out of Zen Buddhism!!!
perfect Halloween movie
kairingler23 March 2010
i just absolutely love this movie.. Christopher Lloyd does a great job in this one, as Uncle Fred. Apparently 20 years ago or so the town experienced such a horrible incident that they don't celebrate Halloween anymore.. a kid Curtis Danko got killed and the town now fears that his haunted soul will come back and haunt or kill them if they celebrate Halloween,, enter Uncle Fred what a comical character, that humongous stack of pumpkins was just hilarious , and that haunted house was just something that i would like to live in ,, all the decorations and such, would just make for a wonderful Halloween, this movie is great to watch anytime of the year, but of course probably much better at Halloween . The acting is pretty good , the decorations and costumes are wonderful also, thumbs up to this one.
Above Average for R.L. Stine
BHorrorWriter24 October 2001
When my 14 year old brother was younger, he was very much into the Goosebumps books that R.L. Stine was cranking out at a very rapid pace. He still has probably 75 or more of them. Anyways, being an avid Horror fan, and knowing full well the books were geared towards kids, I still gave them a shot. I must say R.L. Stine writes like kids are idiots, or they won't questions things. His stories are very obvious, predictable, and sometimes down right dumb...My little brother quickly out grew the books, but nonetheless, my mother still has them. I can honestly say there were a few I go in to. The Haunted Mask being one of them.
Anyway, Here we have a Made for Video movie starring Christopher Lloyd. He truly is the stare of the film. I must say this one wasn't that bad. The story was silly, but still gave a creepy Halloween vibe...A creepy vide at all, which is missing from most Stine's stuff. I was very disappointed with the ending...However, it is in true Stine fashion.
My wife and I watched this with my Daughter, who is very intelligent, and loves saying "Scary" in a very deep, almost demonic voice. She did that a lot though this film. She is only 21 months old, but movies like Halloween, are more her speed for some reason. Anyway, she seemed to like this, and I found it to be a refreshing blend of scare and fun....Recommend for any audience...Decent effects, very colorful, beautiful sets....overall not a bad kids flick!
8 out of 10
2006 UPDATE: My Daughter is now 6 years old and still enjoyes watching this film around Halloween. It is a tradition during that time of year.
Anyway, Here we have a Made for Video movie starring Christopher Lloyd. He truly is the stare of the film. I must say this one wasn't that bad. The story was silly, but still gave a creepy Halloween vibe...A creepy vide at all, which is missing from most Stine's stuff. I was very disappointed with the ending...However, it is in true Stine fashion.
My wife and I watched this with my Daughter, who is very intelligent, and loves saying "Scary" in a very deep, almost demonic voice. She did that a lot though this film. She is only 21 months old, but movies like Halloween, are more her speed for some reason. Anyway, she seemed to like this, and I found it to be a refreshing blend of scare and fun....Recommend for any audience...Decent effects, very colorful, beautiful sets....overall not a bad kids flick!
8 out of 10
2006 UPDATE: My Daughter is now 6 years old and still enjoyes watching this film around Halloween. It is a tradition during that time of year.
WoW, This movie really suck!
miss_nicole14 December 2002
This movie is plain out LAME! The story is dumb, the actors suck and overdo it, escpecially the boy that its about. He looks stupid when he screams and you don't get really convinced. It's not a bit scary and the fiction is soooo lame! When you are waiting to see the zombie that the whole story is about at the end...the resault is wack! It's so badly made! It's just a dummy or something, this flick is NOTHING to pay for!
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