Genre
Comedy | Fantasy | Horror
Director
Joe Dante
Country
USA
Cast
Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Corey Feldman, Keye Luke, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Polly Holliday, Judge Reinhold, Edward Andrews, Frank Welker, Howie Mandel, Don Steele
Storyline
Despite his father (Hoyt Axton) told him exactly what not to do, Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) inadvertently breaks the three important rules concerning a Mogwai, his new pet, and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters on his small town.
Among the flaws I've mentioned before, the plot is certainly the biggest. It is the typical monster movie story following a typical path - a guy makes a mess, he tries to warn the authorities, but they don't believe him until bad things happen. It also starts a little bit slow as it introduces the characters, but after that the pace is very good, and you'll find yourself sucked into the simple and clichéd story.
Like most of the 80s horror movies, this one as well features for the most bland and generic characters you don't care much about, but the main characters are memorable, especially the father of Billy Peltzer, the guy making the mess, played by Hoyt Axton, the only member of the cast worth of a mention. And they are very entertaining for being characters with no personality.
But the real fun comes from those tiny, little Gremlins. It's indeed a lot of fun to see those monsters terrorizing the small town. And it's even better to see them getting drunk. How do you not laugh at that?
Even though they look a bit dated now, the special effects are good, and I absolutely loved Gizmo, the exotic pet that looks like a Furby, but less annoying and more lovable. He's easily one of the cutest things I've ever seen on film.
Opinion
Being someone who has seen this film for the first time at the age of 22 - so no childhood memories - and considering all of its flaws, I'm surprised by how much entertaining "Gremlins" is, and how easily it managed to become one of my Christmas favourites.Among the flaws I've mentioned before, the plot is certainly the biggest. It is the typical monster movie story following a typical path - a guy makes a mess, he tries to warn the authorities, but they don't believe him until bad things happen. It also starts a little bit slow as it introduces the characters, but after that the pace is very good, and you'll find yourself sucked into the simple and clichéd story.
Like most of the 80s horror movies, this one as well features for the most bland and generic characters you don't care much about, but the main characters are memorable, especially the father of Billy Peltzer, the guy making the mess, played by Hoyt Axton, the only member of the cast worth of a mention. And they are very entertaining for being characters with no personality.But the real fun comes from those tiny, little Gremlins. It's indeed a lot of fun to see those monsters terrorizing the small town. And it's even better to see them getting drunk. How do you not laugh at that?
Even though they look a bit dated now, the special effects are good, and I absolutely loved Gizmo, the exotic pet that looks like a Furby, but less annoying and more lovable. He's easily one of the cutest things I've ever seen on film.
I love Gremlins! I've watched this movie around Christmas every year since I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll make it my Christmas tradition too.
DeleteCult che mi sparo sempre ogni Natale :D
ReplyDeleteQuesta per me è stata la prima volta, ma sicuramente lo riguarderò anche il prossimo Natale.
DeleteThis movie was definitely part of my childhood, which is why I am just going to always have to love it. The creatures are what really made it what it was.
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for never seeing it as a kid.
Delete