Shocker on Shock Street: Episode Review
The episode Shocker on Shock Street tells the story of how Erin’s father (Mr Wright), offers his daughter and her friend Marty, the first tickets to a new theme park. The kids believe they have struck it rich. However, things swiftly deteriorate when the ride tram breaks down halfway through.
This episode is full of easter eggs and is entertaining. The episode starts off set in Mr Wright’s workshop, housing many of the masks from previous Goosebumps episodes. Many of the masks from both the Haunted Mask episodes can be seen.
Also featured is a mask from the episode, Don’t Wake Mummy, a Creep mask from Calling All Creeps (renamed as the Toadinator) and a snake monster mask (recycled as Snake Face in this episode) from the episode The Girl Who Cried Monster.
The Scarecrows that walk at midnight make an appearance, and a monster that would later be used in Deep Trouble Part 2, where the roar of Sabre (from the episode Welcome to Camp Nightmare) is recycled for the creature’s call. Most of the practical effects are great and make the episode entertaining to watch. However, the fire and storm effects look stitched in, and you can see the strings on the bats that attack the kids.
The story strays from the original storyline in the book in several instances. Most noticeably there is no sign of the giant praying mantises.
The twist at the end of this episode is disappointing, feeling contrived and rushed. I would not advise from this alone that the episode is a waste of time. Again, the special and practical effects make this episode a fun watch. The cringy acting also gives the episode B-movie status, if that’s your thing.
I only wish that they could have in some way incorporated the giant praying mantis scene into the episode. They did a giant worm in Go Eat Worms, surely they could’ve made a giant praying mantis?!
