When Good Ghouls Go Bad

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!!!

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.

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.

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!

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.