Gremlins

Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Corey Feldman, Harry Carey, Jr.
Directed by: Joe Dante
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Box Office: $
1984

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A man buys a mysterious Mogwai creature for his son (Zach Gilligan) and tells him the three eseential roles- don't expose him to bright light, don't let him get wet, and never feed him after midnight. The boy breaks the rules, and his cute, cuddly Mogwai soon hatches a number of terrifying, deadly gremlins that ransack the town.

Review:

Tim: Gremlins might not be a great movie, but it certainly scores points for originality and creativity. Chris Columbus turned in a very interesting and unique script. I like that this movie is so different from all those other films out there. One of the problems that I have is the 80s version of PG. This movie would give kids nightmares today, and is a bit graphic for a PG. The movie also stumbles into silly, ridiculous territory. The film tries to be both a great horror movie and a great comedy, but it too often strays into the comedy side, which is not always a good thing. Still, the movie works because its new and novel.

One of the best parts of the film involves the idea of cute little creatures that can turn into ugly, deadly ones. I love that there are three essential rules, and I love that they are seemingly inexplicable and confusing. The bright light, okay I get that one. The don't get them wet rule has some surprising consequences. Finally, the no-feeding-after-midnight rule has the craziest, hardest to explain ramification. I can't figure out why these are the three rules, and I love that about the movie.

Zach Galligan is decent as the everyman hero of the film, but I don't think he is a great actor. He is surprisingly forgettable, even though he does decent work in the film. I love the casting of Phoebe Cates, but she has next to nothing to do. She's pretty good in the few scenes she has, but I wish she had more screen time.

The real star of the film is Gizmo, who has to be one of the cutest and most beloved creatures ever seen on screen. The puppetry here was quite astounding and director Joe Dante does a great job bringing him to life. Without the three rules as the damage and destruction, who wouldn't want to have Gizmo as a pet? Even his singing is perfect. They did a great job with him. The gremlins are not quite as good. I like that this movie has some terrific horror moments- the mom with the gremlins in the kitchen is a tremendously frightening moment. But, as the gremlins multiple and take over the town, things take a turn. Instead of being frightening, this just seems stupid. Somehow, they manage to find perfectly small fitting clothes for all of them, which comes across as childish and stupid. I didn't like that the gremlins acted like real people, and some of these scenes were prolonged to the point where it was painful to watch. The second half of the film should have been better.

This movie works because of its original, exciting premise. The film itself is decent, but doesn't work nearly as well as it should. I have to say that I enjoyed the movie, but I don't feel like it is the classic that many people claim it is.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7


If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Critters