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Written by Mandroid3000
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GREMLINS
**** out of *****
Genres
Christmas
Comedy
Horror
Tiny Terrors
1984
Directed by
Joe Dante
Writing credits
Chris Columbus
Cast
Zach Galligan .... Billy Peltzer
Phoebe Cates .... Kate Beringer
Hoyt Axton .... Randall Peltzer
Frances Lee McCain .... Lynn Peltzer
Polly Holliday .... Ruby Deagle
Glynn Turman .... Roy Hanson
Dick Miller .... Murray Futterman
Keye Luke .... Mr. Wing
Scott Brady .... Sheriff Frank
John Louie .... Chinese Boy
Judge Reinhold .... Gerald
Jackie Joseph .... Sheila Futterman
Harry Carey Jr. .... Mr. Anderson
Corey Feldman .... Pete F.
Don Steele .... Rockin' Ricky Rialto
If you were a kid in the 80s then Gremlins probably has a place in your heart. Gremlins is one childhood favourite that won’t be diminished by a repeat viewing. Even if you were an adult in the 80s you probably saw it and had a great time (unless you’re a fucking dick). If you were a kid in the 90s I feel sorry for the dearth of great cartoons and movies in your decade, and refer you to your local video store to rent this out post haste.
You probably know the story, but in case you don’t it goes like this: Inventor Randall Peltzer is in Chinatown trying to sell one of his gadgets when he spots the perfect Christmas gift for his son Billy. It’s a cute little creature, a Mogwai named Gidget. The elderly owner of the store doesn’t want to sell it because you have to be very careful with them, but the owner’s grandson sneaks it out and sells it to Randall when he leaves. He tells Randall the three rules for caring for the Mogwai: Don’t ever get it wet, keep it away from bright light, and no matter how much it cries, no matter how much it begs .. never, ever feed it after midnight.
Billy inevitably breaks them: As a result Gidget spawns the Gremlins (though he doesn’t become one himself). The Gremlins are soon ransacking the whole town with infectiously glee. The best surprise is that the movie pulls no punches. Billy’s mother kills one in a food processor and blows another up in the microwave. They don’t just run around like little pests, they kill townspeople with a humour and vigour that is truly inspiring. Gremlins is a movie-movie, not just a family-movie.
Gremlins looks great. It has a lush lighting scheme that captures the warmth of cinematic small town American Christmas. This makes the rampage by the Gremlins more satisfying. But the town is filled with so many interesting characters and great cult actors, that no one could wholly root for the Gremlins. They’re really entertaining, but who’d want to see Corey Feldman, Judge Reinhold or Rockin’ Ricky Rialto get killed?
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