This mild tween thriller isn’t unlikeable, although it borrows heavily from Goosebumps to Goonies, even a bit of the ol’ Hardy Boys vibe is included. Derivative, yes, but should entertain the YA audiences at whom it’s aimed.

It’s summertime on Martha’s Vineyard and a suspiciously witchy woman (Lorraine Bracco) has come to town to stay at a local B&B. Her arrival coincides with some spooky supernatural stuff that happens – the fact that something spooky happens in the water adds a bit of extra mystery and creepiness.

Speaking of creepy, the town’s version of Boo Radley (Mel Gibson) has actor Mason Thames and his chums even more wary. But Gibson’s character, just like Radley, is benevolent behind his misleading reputation.

It’s not as good an entertainment as the aforementioned entities, but Monster Summer sits in just the right place, the production values are good and the two biggest names, Gibson and Bracco, seem to be having fun, rather than just slumming it in a smaller film.

2 ½ stars | Rated PG-13 | about 90 minutes | In Theaters Now