Starring - Zach Galligan (Waxwork, Gremlins 2: The New Batch), Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys, The Goonies), and Phoebe Cates (Drop Dead Fred, Fast Times at Ridgemont High)
Release Date - 1984
Genre - Comedy/Horror
Tagline - "They didn't obey the rules"
Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Horror fans can be picky. Some refuse to watch modern horror. Others refuse to watch horror from the 90s. Most prefer anything from the 80s but you can count on almost every horror fan to see certain movies that are deemed classics. They are essential viewing and I'd be hard pressed to find a fan of the genre that hasn't seen certain releases. One of those films is the 1984 Steven Spielberg produced horror comedy Gremlins. This is one of those films that EVERYONE has seen. God knows I've watched this movie more times than I should. Hell, I've watched this one so many times I somewhat sick of it. Anyway, sometime back I received word that this classic film was getting a 4K Ultra HD release with some pretty amazing artwork. I reached out and was able to get a copy in for review. Glad I did.
The film follows Billy Peltzer (Galligan) who receives a strange gift from his father for Christmas. He opens his present and finds a strange creature inside called a Mogwai. His dad picked it up at an antique shop in China Town and was given specific instructions: keep it out of sunlight, don't feed it after midnight, and keep it away from water. Billy tries but accidentally spills water on the creature which makes it multiply. Later, after midnight, he accidentally feeds the new Mogwais and the following morning he finds them in a cocoon. Later they hatch out of their cocoons and are now mischievous gremlins with plans to turn the town upside down. Now Billy and his Mogwai Gizmo must stop them.
This movie is just too much fun and it's so difficult not to give it a perfect score. My biggest, and truly problem, with the film is that I can watch it too many times. Like most of Spielberg's projects, it is just too much fun and you find yourself getting absorbed in it. The acting in this is great. Zach Galligan is great as the film's lead. His character is so likably and his wholesomeness fits the film perfectly. I couldn't imagine anyone else taking on this role and making the film what it is. He was a fantastic choice. I also love seeing Phoebe Cates in a film. Granted, she needed way more screen time but I may be biased because she is my 80's crush. We get a quick role from the late, great Dick Miller as well. The casting in this one is great and the movie is as amazing as it is because of this cast. The story for this one is fascinating. I couldn't imagine a movie hitting theaters today with this much imagination in the story. Movies today want to be raw and real. They lack imagination and story that movies like Gremlins and The Goonies gave to audiences. Gremlins story is so fucking mesmerizing that you find yourself getting lost in it. You refuse to look away and that's what makes this movie a must for cinema fans. Finally, the practical effects in this are top notch. Gizmo and the gremlins look fantastic. The team behind building these puppets are fantastic. Gizmos range of emotions pulls at the viewer's heartstrings while the gremlins bring in some comedic relief which really works with the story. We don't get blood and gore like more traditional horror films of the 80s but we do get some great characters and a rich story. Overall, Gremlins is essential for movie fans regardless of where you stand with horror. The movie is very entertaining and one of the few films that I can watch back to back. The movie is just as enjoyable the first time as it is the 50th time. I highly recommend grabbing this 4K release.
The film follows Billy Peltzer (Galligan) who receives a strange gift from his father for Christmas. He opens his present and finds a strange creature inside called a Mogwai. His dad picked it up at an antique shop in China Town and was given specific instructions: keep it out of sunlight, don't feed it after midnight, and keep it away from water. Billy tries but accidentally spills water on the creature which makes it multiply. Later, after midnight, he accidentally feeds the new Mogwais and the following morning he finds them in a cocoon. Later they hatch out of their cocoons and are now mischievous gremlins with plans to turn the town upside down. Now Billy and his Mogwai Gizmo must stop them.
This movie is just too much fun and it's so difficult not to give it a perfect score. My biggest, and truly problem, with the film is that I can watch it too many times. Like most of Spielberg's projects, it is just too much fun and you find yourself getting absorbed in it. The acting in this is great. Zach Galligan is great as the film's lead. His character is so likably and his wholesomeness fits the film perfectly. I couldn't imagine anyone else taking on this role and making the film what it is. He was a fantastic choice. I also love seeing Phoebe Cates in a film. Granted, she needed way more screen time but I may be biased because she is my 80's crush. We get a quick role from the late, great Dick Miller as well. The casting in this one is great and the movie is as amazing as it is because of this cast. The story for this one is fascinating. I couldn't imagine a movie hitting theaters today with this much imagination in the story. Movies today want to be raw and real. They lack imagination and story that movies like Gremlins and The Goonies gave to audiences. Gremlins story is so fucking mesmerizing that you find yourself getting lost in it. You refuse to look away and that's what makes this movie a must for cinema fans. Finally, the practical effects in this are top notch. Gizmo and the gremlins look fantastic. The team behind building these puppets are fantastic. Gizmos range of emotions pulls at the viewer's heartstrings while the gremlins bring in some comedic relief which really works with the story. We don't get blood and gore like more traditional horror films of the 80s but we do get some great characters and a rich story. Overall, Gremlins is essential for movie fans regardless of where you stand with horror. The movie is very entertaining and one of the few films that I can watch back to back. The movie is just as enjoyable the first time as it is the 50th time. I highly recommend grabbing this 4K release. 
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