Directed by: Leigh Janiak
Written by: R.L. Stine (writer of the Fear Street books), Kyle Killen, Phil Graziadei
Starring: Maya Hawke, Charlene Amoia, David W. Thompson, Noah Garrett, Kiana Madeira, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Ashley Zukerman, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald, Fred Hechinger.
A group of teenagers encounter an evil, which is responsible for a series of brutal murders which have plagued their town, Shadytown, for over 300 years! Welcome to Shadyside… the clue is in the name…
The opening scene focuses on Shadyside Mall where Heather (Maya Hawke), some of you will recognise her from Stranger Things, as Robin, is closing up the shop she works in, and hears some unknown noises, calls out for her friend Ryan (David W. Thompson) before finding herself running for her life around the mall, and being stabbed to death and discovering her friend Ryan is the possessed murderer behind the mask who chased and murdered her.
Then the titles roll into the film…
I am one for enjoying some horror movies, and some slasher type movies too, but this film didn’t keep me gripped, and judging by other reviews relating to this first part of the three-part film series, I agree that apart from the 90s music being played, and some of the 90s equipment (the old PC, as an example), this didn’t feel I was thrown back into the 90s at all. The clothing used made me feel I was still in the current year of 2021.
I enjoyed R.L Stine growing up, with his Goosebumps books, but with Fear Street, I feel the producers could have done more to make this part one of the Fear Street franchise more on a 90s vibe, I didn’t feel that from watching this. The idea was there, it was good with the fear factor, and the feelings, as-well as the slasher scenes, but to me, I didn’t feel gripped enough or even engulfed into the feeling of being back in the 90s!!
All in all, this is the first of the three Fear Street films, from the books, so my view on this may be completely different to others, I have seen a lot of mixed reviews, where most state the 90s vibe, wardrobe, language, and directing has not allowed viewers to feel they are back into the 90s. I just hope Part two, which is suppose to be from a 1978 setting, will be better!
I rate this 3 stars!
Room For A Review 