Spirit Halloween: The Movie

Have you actually been to a Spirit Halloween? Most of the stuff in there is, let’s face it, mass-produced crap.

There’s nothing wrong with the idea of setting an all-ages haunted house-style chase movie in a corny bulk retail store. The main thing holding back “Spirit Halloween: The Movie” is that its young stars never get to convincingly act their age.

Spirit makes for a well-produced, easily digestible Halloween movie, though one that doesn’t quite set itself apart from the rest outside of its Halloween store connection.

Spirit Halloween: The Movie is a pleasant surprise that’s fun for the whole family. It’s a fine film that’s more throwback to when we were kids than most of the grating PG-13 gateway films that have dropped over the last few years.



Not only is the action tepid, it only takes up the last act of the movie. The rest of the running time is occupied by whiny dithering over juvenile social dilemmas that are hoary in the extreme.

If you are looking for a good slasher film, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a fun family-friendly film with a few good monsters, then try Spirit Halloween: The Movie.

While I am terrified of the IP trend this may have put into motion, with stores now getting films, I couldn’t think of a better store, or a better scenario to start with.

Lacking in genuine thrills, convincing performances and all around has a hokey, cheesy presentation. At least it’s got a savvy and timely release coinciding with a plethora of Spirit Halloween shops popping up just in time for Halloween.

The film won’t scare your socks off, but you’ll get a few tricks and treats to make it worthwhile.

Spirit Halloween: The Movie opens with a flashback of Lloyd being cursed to death. Every scene after that is eye-rolling, generic, and hollow.