R.L. Stine is one of my all-time favorite authors. Not only do I love his Goosebumps series,
but Fear Street has always been a favorite too (both since they became
popular in the Nineties). I’m almost 40
and I still read books from both series to this day. I couldn’t wait for this Netflix trilogy
bearing the name of the series set in the fictional town of Shadyside ever
since hearing of it. Apparently it’s not
based on any books in particular, just the “book series” by R.L. Stine, much
like Castle Rock is simply based on
the works of Stephen King and nothing specific.
That’s fine, although I do wish they would adapt the actual books,
preferably as a TV series (and not just because some stories wouldn’t sustain
themselves as films), and I’m sure many (like me) that grew up with the book
series would agree. I mean, they adapted
Goosebumps and even The Haunting Hour, which was only based on
two short story collections! Whereas those
two series were horror geared towards the younger set, Fear Street was
horror for teens, and there will always be teenagers in the world (as long as
babies are born) and they (the horror fans) need entertainment. For now though, I can settle for some in-name
only films (one being released each Friday this year from July 2 to July 16),
all directed by Leigh Janiak, who gave us the otherworldly Honeymoon, which I was a fan of, so I think these three features
(taking place in 1994, 1978, and 1666) are in capable hands…
Fear Street Part
One: 1994 G
What a gnarly beginning to a film set in the
Nineties---someone stabbed in a shopping mall by someone wearing a skull mask,
said someone working at B. Dalton! In
true slasher fashion, particularly that decade and the decade before that, it
is rated-R, there being violence too (one of particular note involves machinery
in a supermarket). Yes, it may be a
slasher film, but there’s more to it than just that, hence the three different
timelines (I was really only reminded of two slasher movies in particular---Scream in the beginning, and Intruder in the supermarket). It’s a supernatural-slasher-teen movie that
definitely has style and probably could’ve been its own film without bearing
the Fear Street name. Some parts
in the middle weren’t as strong as the beginning and end, but I still think
it’s a worthy teen horror movie whether you’re a fan of the R.L. Stine property
or not, now or ever. I look forward to Part Two, given it takes place at camp
in the Seventies…7/2/2021
Fear Street Part
Two: 1978 OK
Camp movies can be fun; the horror ones (the Sleepaway Camps, the Friday the 13ths, The Burning, Madman,
etc.) as well as the non-horror ones (Meatballs,
Ernest Goes to Camp, and, sure, Heavyweights, etc.). The horror ones just give you the best of
both worlds. As much as I was looking
forward to this entire trilogy based on R.L. Stine’s books, this one excited me
the most because it took place at camp during the Seventies. Again, it’s not based directly off any of the
books, but the camp in this film, Camp Nightwing, is the same name of the camp
in Lights Out, and I only knew that because I read about it (I may be a
nerd, but not that much where I remember things that specific). I should’ve loved this movie being that it
took place at camp, took place in the Seventies (best decade for film behind
the Eighties, in my opinion), and the killer used an axe to off people (I do
love when sharp weapons are used in these films). I hate to say that I didn’t like it as much
as I thought I would. I didn’t hate it,
no (although I actually think I might be a bit more lenient than I should with
my rating), but it wasn’t as fun as any of those aforementioned camp
films. Yes, there may have been
violence, but the majority of kills weren’t that noteworthy, save for maybe
two, but even they weren’t enough to make me like the movie better; plus, we
barely even got to know most of the victims, unlike many of those
aforementioned films (I probably shouldn’t care about that in a slasher film,
but it sure was discernible). The killer
is a camper (seen in the first movie) possessed by a witch we learned of in the
first movie that we’ll likely get to know even more of in the next movie, which
takes place in 1666. Historical films
can be hit and miss, especially when part of a franchise, and 1666 is the entry I least looked forward
to, but perhaps it will violate my expectations positively, whereas I looked
forward to this one the most and was disappointed. I can deal with 2 out of 3 being good…7/9/2021
Fear Street Part
Three: 1666 OK/G
I don’t think I should declare it a spoiler since it was in
the Netflix synopsis, but this only takes place in 1666 during half the time;
the other half continues the 1994
segment. I think it should’ve taken
place predominantly in 1666 since that’s what it’s called, but perhaps it was a
wise decision to avoid overstaying its welcome (given historical horror isn’t
always my favorite subgenre). It wasn’t
a bad film during the time it did take place in 1666, dealing with witchcraft
accusations and satanic dealings; films like The Witch and The Village came
to mind (there is no big reveal like the latter film, no, this actually took
place in 1666, the setting just reminded me of it). I will say it is the first time I recall
seeing LGBT characters in a film set during the 17th century, a time
when it was still very much considered an abomination (not much different than
parts of the world now; hell, it still wasn’t acceptable in 1994 in most of the
world), tying in perfectly with everyone believing one “evil” is the root of
all that negatively befalls this community.
The entire story is all tied up by both the end of 1666 and 1994, so no one
should feel like they were cheated (now that all three films are available I
would suggest just binge-watching them).
This film, both 1666 and 1994 I guess, even though I should base
it solely on 1666, was better than 1978, but I personally liked 1994 the best (the first film alone, not
including this portion). 7/19/2021
In conclusion: As of this writing on Rotten Tomatoes, 1994 has a rating of 84% out of 91 critics, 1978 has 89% out of 82, and 1666 has 93% out of 58. All positive percentages, which is a plus, but I disagree (if you haven’t read anything above) since 1994 got the lowest rating and I thought it was the best one. In all fairness, 1994 does have the most critics posted so far, so perhaps the other ratings will change as more reviews are posted? I don’t know…like always, film criticism is entirely subjective and I’ll stick with my opinions (you can agree or disagree). This trilogy was my most anticipated feature(s) of this year, 1978 being the one I looked forward to the most and liked the least, go figure. As a standalone trilogy, it wasn’t bad overall, simply only bearing the Fear Street name with some Easter eggs thrown in. Director Leigh Janiak has stated she plans on expanding the universe, which is fine and I’d totally watch anything related released, but I think they should start actually adapting the books themselves. I think many others would agree…
---Sean O.
7/20/2021
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