Five Nights at Freddy’s has an amusing concept with its Chuck E. Cheese from Hell setup.
Unfortunately, the film has fewer scares (or laughs) than an old episode of Goosebumps.
ProducerJason Blum, the founder ofBlumhouse Productions, certainly does.
The gamemaker serves as both a producer and a co-writer on the film.
It shows even to a layman, but not always in the obvious ways.
Whether servicing fans with a feast or crumbs, its pretty unappetizing for strangers new to the table.
As a kid, he saw his little brother abducted by a man they never caught.
As an adult, he still relives the nightmare of this trauma every time he goes to sleep.
It is that dire situation that causes Mike to accept the position of security guard at Freddy Fazbears Pizza.
Freddys was this towns go-to childrens entertainment restaurant in the 1980s.
Alas, some children went missing at the joint 30-some years ago and its been shut down ever since.
And when he brings Abby to spend a night at work, things get reallyweird.
Nonetheless, there are episodes ofGoosebumpsandAre You Afraid of the Darkwith more frights than this ultimately toothless film.
The film leans heavily into Mikes sense of trauma and regret.
And it takes those mythos far too seriously.
There really is a missed opportunity here.
Or creatively, for that matter.
No parent is going to a venue with automated rocketships and slides because they like the pizza.
Thats great, but its still cold, rubbery, empty-calorie slice of cheesy bread for everyone else.
Five Nights at Freddysopens in theaters and on Peacock on Friday, Oct. 27.
Rating:
2 out of 5
