Gremlins (1984) Review
Written by: BlackTequilaKiss
At 22 years old, I think I am the novice among many reviewers on HM.CA. But with that said and done I enjoy getting my point across and giving people food for thought in the process. Hence my variation of reviews. This is a review close to my heart so I hope you all enjoy.
For the information of everyone I love both the first and second movie and think they are an adorable addition to any movie fan's DVD collection. Let me start with the funny as hell, Gremlins.
Tagline: Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous.
Plotline: Billy Peltzer hates a lot this Christmas. His job, his boss and the fact his dad is never home due to his avid belief that he can become a great inventor. His life is changed however when his father comes home with a present. A small creature called a Mogwai whom Billy later begins to call Gizmo. On giving Billy the present, his father, Rand he explains the three rules Billy must abide by. 1) Keep it away from bright light, 2) Don't get any water on it, and 3) Never, never ever feed it after midnight. But when an accident occurs with Gizmo, all hell breaks loose and it is up Billy to stop the carnage before it goes too far.
Firstly I love this movie. Be it Christmas or any other time of year this movie is a special treat to me. It is a fantastic ride which is only made all the more sweeter by the cuteness of Gizmo.
Cast in the Movie: Zach Gilligan, since Gremlins 1 & 2 he has done roles on TV but nothing major which is a shame because the lad was such a great actor in the movie. I always hoped he would gone onto better and bigger things, a shame really. But in the Gremlins films he shone completely and harnessed the laugh factor if it lagged. Brilliant in the movies.
Phoebe Cates (starred in Drop Dead Fred), great young actress. Sparkles in the movie and brings a new dimension to the movies. In the end every actor worked the scenes exceptionally I just wish they had gone onto better things. But in all a stellar, strong cast. Wonderful.
Music: Scatty lol. It is all over the place which is the aim given the gremlins wreak havoc through much of the film. Nah it is funny, exhilarant and comedic which is the touch the movie needed. Also I am akin to admit that the dark, broody music that elevated before the gremlins surfaced was beautiful in everyway.
As well as this the lighting and cinematography are first rate given the time they were around. Dark illuminates the streets and light floods elsewhere, brilliant. The direction was so much fun and the scene it showed its art was when all the gremlins were crowded into the theatre. That in itself was magic!
Special F/X: Funny as hell! The gremlins look creepy but idiotic, aim achieved and Gizmo just looks adorable! Every scene with him is heartbreaking and it is to the skill of the special effects team that they work the looks so well. Fantastic.
In the end it is a movie that works on every level. It's funny, dark, very Christmas, magical and ultimately a timely classic.
I love Joe Dante for putting what is obviously his childhood ideas into such a great movie concept.
Absolutely wonderful and something I can watch again and again. BTW if you have yet to see this, where have you been?! Watch it, this is movie-making at its peak! For that reason alone it garners a 9 out of 10.