Gremlins Reviews

• timeless fun

  
  By A1AP3A4UW8OJFV on 2005-01-09
  How can something so sweet and cuddly as a Gremlin become so mean and angry like your own kids when they don't get what they want. The ideas behind this hilarious transformation are so marvellous you'd want to watch this one again and again - with or without your own kids present (who knows, they might get ideas). Gremlins is one of the funniest movies ever. A cult-classic.
  
  

• Mischief and Mayhem in a Cuddly, Furry Package

  
  By A2XWU6Y8PF8L17 on 2004-07-12
  An inventor with a penchant for oddities that don't work (Hoyt Axton), while selling his wares in a sketchy section of Chinatown, comes across a young boy who promises to show him some wonderful things within his grandfather's shop. Once inside he does indeed find himself amongst the odd and wonderful. He becomes drawn to the singing of a cute furry little creature known as a Mogwai, and informs the shopkeeper that he simply must have the Mogwai, as he's in dire need of a Christmas present for his son. The shopkeeper hesitates, and finally says no to the inventor, Randall Peltzer, as with the Mogwai "comes great responsibility." Distraught, Mr. Peltzer turns to leave. However, knowing that his family needs the money, the young boy offers to help him out by selling him the Mogwai behind his grandfather's back. The adorable fuzzy little creature comes with three rules. He doesn't like bright lights, he can't get wet, and he can't be fed after midnight.

  Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) is elated upon opening his present. He immediately becomes friends with the Mogwai, Gizmo, and makes sure he abides by all the aforementioned rules. When a neighborhood boy comes by to deliver a Christmas tree, he doesn't exercise quite as much caution and accidentally spills water on the Mogwai. This unveils a whole new trait for Gizmo, and a whole new world for Billy. The Peltzer family soon discovers just how much responsibility is necessary for a creature of this caliber, as does the rest of the town they live in. Bad things may come in cute, cuddly, furry little packages.

  I rate the movie as five stars, and the DVD as three, hence the average of four stars. The acting is superb, and the effects are brilliant, even if they are a little gory (the whole kitchen scene comes to mind) for the rating given (PG). The gremlins themselves are superbly done, especially when you consider that these are puppets and are not computer-generated! Each of them has their own unique personality that comes out in little snippets throughout the duration of the film, proving that every minute detail was taken into consideration with the making of this movie. The soundtrack is classic eighties cheesiness in all its glory and splendor. Howie Mandel did a good job as the voice of Gizmo, even if it didn't consist of much. Chris Columbus, Joe Dante and Steven Spielberg prove themselves an excellent team, combining a humorous and witty script with some extremely good moviemaking. This movie has become, and will live on as, a cult classic adored by fans of monster and horror films and should not be missed.

  However, the DVD package leaves something to be desired. Apparently "Special Edition" need not be very special at all, consisting of only a couple of commentary tracks and the trailer for the film. Both of which are appreciated, yet many DVD's offer much more than that these days. I would have hoped that this very special movie would be released with a little bit more bite, and perhaps someday it will. Until then, this DVD will have to suffice.
  
  

• Shocking, isn't it?

  
  By A2R4XG0L7Z01V8 on 2004-12-08
  I reckon quite a few people will be very surprised when they find out that I'm nearly 21, and I've only just seen Gremlins. I don't know why I never saw it when I was a kid, or seen it on the TV at Christmas. It's weird. I wasn't even sure about the storyline when it was put on. Obviously, I knew the character Gizmo - having begged my Dad to get me the toy in a window a few years ago, and never got it. :( I also think that the Gizmo/Gremlins started off the craze of Furbies in the UK a couple of years ago - little characters that if you switch them on, and line them up with others, they talk/sing utter nonsense to each other! I'm actually sure I still have a few more in my room somewhere, but not Gizmo ones, although I'm sure they're out there.
  
  I was completely unaware of what the film was actually about, and wasn't expecting the 'evil' Gremlins to quite literally come out of Gizmo, and take over the world. I was expecting a nice little happy family movie, based around Gizmo. I'm not so sure I would have enjoyed the movie if I'd been a few years younger, as the evil Gremlins scared the bejeezus out of me! Especially Stripe - scary! There's also some Looney Tunes references in the movie, although coming from my major Looney Tunes fan man, there's even more references in the second one, which I've yet to see. Of course, it was directed by Joe Dante, who did the fabulous Looney Tunes: Back In Action, amongst many others. There's also some other references in the movie: the theatre marquee is showing a double bill: "A Boy's Life" (the working title for Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), and "Watch the Skies" (the working title for Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind). At the movie's finale the Gremlin leader, Stripe, hides from Billy in a pile of stuffed animals. A plush E.T. doll is shown prominently in the shot. This is a gag reference to the scene in Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, in which E.T. also evades discovery by hiding among plush toys.
  
  I didn't spot this until it was pointed out, but while the father is talking on the phone from the inventor's convention, the machine from The Time Machine can be seen in the background winding up to full power. The scene cuts to the house, and when we cut back again, the machine has gone, leaving only a wisp of colored smoke.
  
  Also, there are quite a few cameos in Gremlins, so next time you watch this, watch out for them! Steven Spielberg is the man in the electric wheelchair with a TV monitor. Chuck Jones is the man who looks at Billy's cartoon in the bar. There is a Warner Brothers cartoon playing on the TV. Jerry Goldsmith is at the inventors' conference, immediately behind actor Hoyt Axton in the phone booth. He's wearing a western hat with a mount for the phone. Rumoured to appear as a blink-and-you'll-miss-it-cameo too is George Lucas at the inventor's convention, riding a bicycle.
  
  In Cantonese Chinese, mogwai means demon or gremlin. The Mandarin pronunciation is mogui.
  
  The special edition of this DVD looks really good, with enough to keep a die-hard fan of extras going for ages. These are mostly your stereo-typical extras, but they include: commentary by Joe Dante, Phoebe Cates, Zach Galligan, Dick Miller and Howie Mandel; commentary by director Joe Dante, producer Michael Finnell and effects specialist Chris Walas; 10 minutes of never-before-seen footage; behind-the-scenes documentary; and photo/storyboard gallery. Two deleted scenes that were included on the Special Edition DVD appeared in some of the original merchandise for the movie. Since most such tie-ins received a script well in advance in order to have product at the time the movie premieres, several things may change within the picture in the meantime. The deleted extended opening is included in the first of 5 book and record sets that Hardee's released with their kids' meals. The scene with Judge Reinhold hiding in the bank vault was included in the trading card set. In addition to restoring the classic Warner Brothers logo to the opening of the movie, it was hoped to release the film along with the classic Looney Tunes short, Fallen Hare, where Bugs Bunny is harassed by a plane gremlin during WW II. This fell through, but, highlights from the short do appear as part of a making of special for the movie, that has also been included on the Special Edition DVD.
  
  Little to no actual dialogue for the Gremlins and Mogwai exists in the script in itself. In addition to several instances of on stage rewrites changing or adding to much of the script, the voiceovers were all mostly ad libs, repeating snippets of just performed dialogue or in reaction to other sound effects or environment. To this end, Howie Mandel recorded Gizmo's lines phonetically for foreign dubs of the movie, where localized dialogue and in jokes helped make the picture successful with audiences world wide.
  
  I'd highly recommend this movie now, although I'd be slightly wary of children seeing it, despite it being aimed at families. It definitely would have given me nightmares! It'll be interesting to see more Gizmo and his evil friends, and I'm glad that although this ends on a slightly bad note, the sequel should be better.
  
  

• Terror wears the cutest faces!

  
  By ADH5E2OE07PAQ on 2008-06-14
  Finally, a childhood favorite that doesn't qualify as coaster material. Gremlins is an 80's classic that still delivers the goods. The movie was well paced and the acting was solid. The characters were given enough time to be developed and they never came off annoying. The gore at times was something else and alot of the deaths were very creative. This is a flick chock full of hilarious moments and that was the intent. I rarely get into comedy horror but this is one of the few that I actually like. The soundtrack is your typical 80's cheese and fits very well with the movie.
  
  This special edition comes with 2 commentaries, behind the scenes, and bios of the actors.
  
  

• Very good,but a bit dated

  
  By AYMM2KV2UJDZ on 2000-07-31
  Note: does contain spoilers.

  Gremlins is very coolmovie.Although it's somewhat dated and the sequel was a lot better,it's still a very cool movie that's well worth checking out.The story is very well written and highly creative.A Dad spots a cute lttle furry animal named Gizmo,who's from a weird line of creatures called Mogwais.He wants to buy it for his son Billy,but Gizmo's owner won't let him have Gizmo.The owner's son snatchs Gizmo and gives him to the Dad.The Dad is told a set of three rules that he must follow no matter what. 1,keep Gizmo as far away from water as possible (this includes anything with liquid).2,keep him far away from bright lights.And 3,never,ever feed him after Midnight.Billy receives Gizmo as a Christmas present.He accidently spills water on Gizmo,which causes him to spawn other Mogwais.One night,all of the Mogwais (except Gizmo) break a very important rule.They eat chicken after Midnight.This causes them to transform into scaly,vicious beasts who wreak havoc on Billy's hometown,Kingston Falls.The mutant Mogwais are called Gremlins.They attack people,hold Bartenders hostage,drive construction vehicles,and even employ some weapons in the process,including chainsaws,six-barreled pistols,and tennis ball serving machines.The special F/X are great.Although their a bit corny compared to some of the other monsters we see Today,they still are very well done.The Gremlin F/X are very cool. (...) The acting is very good and convincing.The direction from Dante is very tight and solid.Overall,Gremlins is a simply good movie. Although the sequel,Gremlins 2:The New Batch was much better in my opinion,I still liked Gremlins 1 very much.It's just somewhat dated.On a side note,although Gremlins is targeted towards kids,it's pretty violent.The Gremlins look really scary and nasty,and there's even some gore (this includes some human characters who dies during the Gremlins rampge on the town). It's a very nasty and scary movie for young kids,but older kids (9+) probably won't be too scared.

  Rated PG for some violence and very mild language.
  
  

• Think about it...the Peltzer Pet!
  By A2P49WD75WHAG5 on 2003-07-25
  The first time I saw this was on my birthday, at the theatres, no less. I went to see it two more times after that. The familiar concept of bringing the other, the unknown, the unique, to a picture postcard small town like Kingston Falls, is typical of aliens landing on Earth-type sci-fi. OK, there is a difference between Chinatown and Mars, but still...

  To say that Kingston Falls and indeed Billy Peltzer, the son of the man who brings the Mogwai Gizmo to town, will have the most memorable Christmas in its history is quite the understatement, and all because three strict rules regarding Gizmo are unwittingly ignored. They are, keep him away from bright lights, keep him away from water, and never ever.... let him listen to Barry Manilow...just kidding, never ever feed him after midnight. Guess what happens?

  The glowing green and steam emerging from the YMCA swimming pool is the prelude of the mayhem that is to come from the red-eyed, growling, cackling reptilians, and who also seem to have full-time munchies. Anyone happening to drive or walking on Christmas Eve happens to pick the wrong night to be human. Contrast that with the ghastly neon glare of the red lights splashed on the Chinatown streets in one shot. Red light for peaceful standby...green for go mayhem.

  The adorable Gizmo's clearly the star in this It's A Wonderful Life meets Invasion Of The Body Snatchers/War Of The Worlds picture. His facial expressions alone are very articulate, from his smiles, expressions of horror, sadness, and disgust, and a silly grimace when he's emulating Clark Gable in the racing car movie, To Please A Lady, which he's watching on TV. Howie Mandel also deserves credit for providing Gizmo's voice. And as he was raised by a Chinese man, it makes sense for him to have huang chung, or perfect pitch in the synthesizer scene.

  Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates make a nice couple as Billy and Kate, but Hoyt Axton as Rand Peltzer has a great turn as an inventor who keeps on trying to find an invention that's marketable and isn't frustrated by setbacks to the Bathroom Buddy, a kind of Swiss Army Knife of toiletries. He keeps on trying, as evidenced by the plethora of inventions in his household, such as the Peltzer Peeler Juicer (great scene), and the electric hammer. And the phone remote kind of previews handheld cordless models so commonplace today.

  Yet there's an undertone of enterpreneurial, corporate capitalism going on. Rand Peltzer is an example of it for good. Gerald's remarks to Billy is of the bad. He boasts how he is a junior vice president of the bank at age 23. "At 25, I'll have Mr. Corben's [the president's] job. At 30, I'm going to be a millionaire. The world's changing, you gotta change with it. You gotta be tough." And Mr. Futterman's jab at foreign cars reminds us of the trade gap between the US and Japan during the Reagan era, as well as the accompanying Japan-bashing. And the rich and powerful harridan Ms. Deagle is a cariacature of robber barons meet Ebenezer Scrooge. In fact the exchange between her and tenant Ms. Harris is a variation on Scrooge and Bob Crachitt.

  Trivia notes: note the Indiana Jones style writing on the Rockin' Ricky Rialto sign at the beginning, which figures, as both were Spielberg-Kennedy-Marshall productions. And at the inventor's convention, executive producer Steven Spielberg, cast on his leg, wheels past Hoyt Axton watching TV on an electric sofa/wheelchair. And the Coleco-vision Donkey Kong Stripe is playing is an example of 80's technology long gone.

  Yes, another return visit to my golden decade. Some aspects of this movie have not worn well. The behaviour of the gremlins are rather uneven, ranging from extremely malicious (the traffic lights) to downright comical (the Christmas carolers, the different outfits worn by the gremlins), to the rare poetic justice (Mrs. Deagle). But the otherworldly teddybear with elfin ears, whose furry hands grip the edge of the box he came in, then slowly raises his head for all to see, that's what I remember the most. (Rating: 4.5, rounded to 5).
  
  

• There are just three rules...
  By A2WSI8HOWHFDOT on 2004-07-20
  1) Buy GREMLINS. 2) Watch GREMLINS 3) Repeat #2 several times

  Every time I surf the t.v. and I come across GREMLINS, I will put down the remote and watch it til the end. GREMLINS, for its time, was truly groundbreaking. It was E.T., except with really rotten friends and relatives. Well-paced and directed Joe Dante, with unique performances by Zach Galligan and the gorgeous Phoebe Cates, GREMLINS deftly treads in and out of suspense/horror and comedy. (Phoebe Cates' explication of how her father died is still outrageous.) And there are plenty of pitched battles between the good guys and the unruly gremlins to keep the plot moving. Just don't show this movie to young kids around Christmastime.

  This special edition has a lot of goodies that true GREMLINS fans will enjoy, and the quality is top-notch. Just don't get it wet.
  
  

• Gremlins
  By on 2004-09-13
  I would not recommend this movie. It was violent, and scary. When my mom and I watched this a few years ago, my mom had to turn it off halfway to the middle. If it hadn't been made before PG-13 was invented, that's what this movie would have been rated.
  
  A lot of kids would say this movie isn't scary, but that's because so many kids today are allowed to see rated R, which is as bad as it gets.
  
  Don't get this movie unless you like to be disturbed!
  
  P.S. Please don't insult my review in your own, thank you!
  
  
• The best Horror/Comedy of all time!
  By A2B6B7PCAP2AHO on 2005-02-23
  It follows a somewhat conventional monster movie plot. An ordinary guy witnesses his unusual but cute cuddly pet spawn a horde of evil Gremlins. He tries to warn the authorities, but they don't believe him until the creatures show up and go on a rampage throughout the town. Like in many monster movies, a plan is devised to destroy them, which works, but then there's still one left which needs to be defeated.
  
  Every monster movie convention in the book is used, including all the famous shocks such as something jumping out in the foreground and something jumping out in the background, but what makes this film original is the Gremlins' silly personalities. They don't eat people or kill them in order to survive in any way. They just want to have fun and cause chaos! Their personalities are almost human and seem to represent a side of us that has no morals and just wants to let loose in a world without regulations. At times, you are cheering for the monsters, which makes this movie so unique.
  
  Two major highlights are the bar scene and the movie theater scene where all the gremlins gather together and have a great time!
  
  
  
• Comical, gross and full of nifty little Gizmo's...
  By A3S9887MZFNNH1 on 2000-03-07
  This is a kind of classic film now and seems to be shown on TV every Christmas. I really thought the sequel was better, but this is still a treat with some memorable scenes and Gizmo the little cute mogwai has always been a hit with the little kids.
  
  
• Wow: Magical, Witty, Fun, and Thought-Provoking
  By A17G7WJKAJVKQW on 2000-05-18
  I must say, this is a real treat for all ages! I thoroughly enjoy comedy that isn't funny, so this movie really hit the spot. I'm also a incurable nut for cute gimmicky creatures who say charming lines and make adorable little faces. How marketable! Not to mention the fact that disgusting, sensless, slimy violence is funny and advances the plot tremendously. Wow, what a ride this one is!

  I once wrote Kellogg's and asked them if they would be interested in my idea for "Gremlin's cereal" where you would eat little mugwai flakes and cocoon-like marshmallow treats. They didn't bite, but something tells me we have a winner waiting here folks! (Just don't eat it after midnight...hehehe, those clever film makers! )

  Get this moving, fun-for-the-whole-family tale now and order the ground-breaking "Gremlins 2" while you're at it. If you thrive on wasting chunks of your life, you won't be disappointed!
  
  

• classics never die
  By A3OKIHBGK41VCK on 2004-09-02
  I've loved Gremlins since I was a wee girl of only about 5 or 6, and previously my only copy of the film was a tattered VHS, worn out and almost grainy from repeated viewings. I purchased Gremlins on DVD and was astonished at how beautiful the transfer from film to DVD was. The details are crystal clear and the sound is impeccable. Certain small visual details of the movie were totally lost on my old VHS, but stand out gorgeously on this DVD.
  
  The movie itself doesn't need further praise from me - it's fun and funny, gory and touching at the same time. My personal favorite scene is when all of the Gremlins are in the movie theater, singing "Hi Ho" right along with the dwarves in Snow White. The special effects are amazing for the time, the score was perfect, and Gizmo never ceases to be adorable. A must-buy.
  
  
• Hip Hop magic...........
  By A2GLFKM6IBYRP7 on 2000-04-26
  Steven Spielberg has made some great films, and not many of them stick in my mind as much as Gremlins did. When I first watched it I wasn't sure what to expect, horror or comedy. The result was a kind of mixture, a single of horror with a double of comedy. This is a very good film, and I can't wait to see it again on DVD. The characters in the film were great, some funny, some sad, but all very well acted. I thought the effects were very good, and the Gremlins still make me laugh today. Spike (the gremlin leader) was great, but the best Gremlin was the brake-dancing Gremlin in the bar. A great film, on the best home entrainment technology format, a must!
  
  
• A good collection for your DVD library
  By AB5ZWJYO8HJ47 on 2003-01-21
  I love this movie very much. I have bought the laser disc of Gremlins years ago. Thanks to the technology and Warner Brothers, we can see again this movie in 5.1 channel, and most important of all, the extras and never-before-seen footage and the cast commentary. For such a valuable price, this is a MUST for your DVD library!!
  
  
• I Never Knew Christmas Gift Returns Could Be So Cutthroat
  By A1GB1Q193DNFGR on 2003-11-23
  Footnote: Official Actual Review: **** 1/4 stars (four and a quarter star rating)

  In the summer of 1984 as Ivan Reitman's ceaselessly beloved supernatural box-office comedic powerhouse Ghostbusters was prevailingly netting all the profuse blockbuster revenues and inestimably enshrining itself adamantly with adoring audiences across all divides as the year's principally paramount money rainmaker of the year, a minor monster film B-Movie tribute to Capracorn and 1950's space paranoia exploitation flicks came into circulation at around the same time. Internationally released to movie theaters around the globe, Gremlins was an unappeasably premeditative liberating commandeering of the world's silver screens in one fell swoop of cinematic amnesty from the norm. Unhesitatingly conspiring and invigoratingly procuring to unhesitatingly unleash a mischievous torrent of cantankerously inconsolable scaly adversarial hellions wantonly assailing restrained movie tastes with the provocatively stimulating rousing sensationalism of maliciously volatile foresight. Joe Dante's phenomenally lucrative massively unfashionable bold creative re-imaging of the exploitation genre sensationally ran amok with the general public as it universally grossed resoundingly beyond anyone's comprehension and beguilingly entranced millions more into an atypical personal connection with the film.
  
  Dexterously consolidating into a whole new age of pop cultural advertising packaging integrating (beginning with Star Wars and exploding with E.T.), Gremlins was principally choked with indefinite unattributable mountains of merchandise. The Gizmo doll, Gremlin action figures, Gremlin lunch boxes, Gremlin posters, Gremlin story-time audio cassettes (do you remember those?) and all sorts of other cherished child and adult paraphernalia that became incredibly dispensed at an glaringly astronomical pace. Yet at the heart of this significant immeasurable love affair with the Gremlins and it's essential myth, lies ultimately the film itself. After nearly twenty years and untold droves of imbecilic rehashes, moronic re-shoots, and Kindergarten retreads, the film remains an indisputable pop culture cinematic touchstone classic of the 1980's. Directed by cinematic maverick satirist Joe Dante (Gremlins 2: The New Batch, The Howling, Looney Tunes: Back In Action) and executive produced by the omnipresent commercial dynamo of the 1980's Steven Spielberg, Gremlins is the uncanniest ironclad combination of subversive divine parody (Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life) and thrillingly riveting acute joyride (Howard Hawk's The Thing from Another World) we've yet seen in the last generation of motion pictures.

  Name me another picture that can so instantaneously, ambidextrously, and completely shift gears from brutal savagery to out-and-out comedic lunacy (just think of the Christmas Cookies/Blender Sequence) with the stunningly ghoulish extraordinary clout that Gremlins accomplishes without ever batting a reptilian eye. You may attribute this attractive charisma entirely to the Gremlins. However it's also Dante's steadfast no compromise craftsmanship that delivers the delicate balance of menace and perversity that remains so universally adored about this film to this very day by so many legions of fans and new viewers alike.

  Overflowing with the quintessential Looney Tunes spirit of jovial irrelevance pulsating throughout its daffy festivities, the Gremlins bar sequence remains one of the single most mentally arresting moments of Eighties cinema. With it's gleeful lunatic goofiness taken to the very optimal zenith of cantankerous hilarity, this definitive burlesque showcase of pricelessly gut-busting spectacle lampoons the shear shallow splendor of binge drinking, chain-smoking, gluttony, high-stakes poker, Dashiell Hammett film noirs (The Big Sleep), misogynistic anarchy, the television show Cheers, urban crime, and Jennifer Beals's cheesy Flashdance renown to the absolute euphoric dizzyingly heights of galvanizing comedic possibilities.

  Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) and Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates) chaotically desperate escape from the old-town movie house is an especially exceptional affectionately subversive amicable nod to Disney's masterwork Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938). This singularly breathtaking climatic chase sequence remains a transcendental majestic tribute to the film medium's boundless past that remains supernaturally priceless beyond the mere mention of words, and blows continuing proof of Dante's ecstatically voracious exhilaration in ransacking the respectable into indelible comical genius. The exemplary majesty of Gremlins remains in it's devilish application of absurdity so effortlessly that it leaves many viewers blushing way beyond the restriction of age. Gremlins has carved its own permanent niche in American Pop Culture and it's definitely not likely to be carted away by any philosophical Asian mystic anytime soon.

  As for the new Gremlins Special Edition DVD, it includes a 2001 remastering of the entire film with the inclusion of numerous extras including: a commendably impressive 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation, a properly atmospheric Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, an impressive Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround audio track, a charmingly nostalgic director and star commentary track featuring Joe Dante, Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Howie Mandel, and (Dante regular and greatly under-appreciated) Dick Miller, an intriguing director and special effects department commentary featuring Joe Dante, Michael Finnell (producer) and Chris Walas (Effects Supervisor), ten minutes of behind-the-scenes footages, theatrical trailer, and several other fascinating trappings to siphon through at your leisure.

  P.S. Break-dancing Gremlins now that will be the day. Oh wait we do have hundreds of Agent Smiths, a skeletal Geoffrey Rush, a half-cranium mechanistic Schwarzenegger (was that a change?), and liquid medal invulnerable supermodels clamorously roaming around by now so who knows.
  
  

• Still The King of Revolting Creature Features
  By A1GB1Q193DNFGR on 2003-11-24
  Footnote: Official Actual Review: **** 1/4 stars (four and a quarter star rating)

  In the summer of 1984 as Ivan Reitman's ceaselessly beloved supernatural box-office comedic powerhouse Ghostbusters was prevailingly netting all the profuse blockbuster revenues and inestimably enshrining itself adamantly with adoring audiences across all divides as the year's principally paramount money rainmaker of the year, a minor monster film B-Movie tribute to Capracorn and 1950's space paranoia exploitation flicks came into circulation at around the same time. Internationally released to movie theaters around the globe, Gremlins was an unappeasably premeditative liberating commandeering of the world's silver screens in one fell swoop of cinematic amnesty from the norm. Unhesitatingly conspiring and invigoratingly procuring to unhesitatingly unleash a mischievous torrent of cantankerously inconsolable scaly adversarial devils wantonly assailing restrained movie tastes with the provocatively stimulating rousing sensationalism of maliciously volatile foresight. Joe Dante's phenomenally lucrative massively unfashionable bold creative re-imaging of the exploitation genre sensationally ran amok with the general public as it universally grossed resoundingly beyond anyone's comprehension and beguilingly entranced millions more into an atypical personal connection with the film.
  
  Dexterously consolidating into a whole new age of pop cultural advertising packaging integrating (beginning with Star Wars and exploding with E.T.), Gremlins was principally choked with indefinite unattributable mountains of merchandise. The Gizmo doll, Gremlin action figures, Gremlin lunch boxes, Gremlin posters, Gremlin story-time audio cassettes (do you remember those?) and all sorts of other cherished child and adult paraphernalia that became incredibly dispensed at an glaringly astronomical pace. Yet at the heart of this significant immeasurable love affair with the Gremlins and it's essential myth, lies ultimately the film itself. After nearly twenty years and untold droves of imbecilic rehashes, moronic re-shoots, and Kindergarten retreads, the film remains an indisputable pop culture cinematic touchstone classic of the 1980's. Directed by cinematic maverick satirist Joe Dante (Gremlins 2: The New Batch, The Howling, Looney Tunes: Back In Action) and executive produced by the omnipresent commercial dynamo of the 1980's Steven Spielberg, Gremlins is the uncanniest ironclad combination of subversive divine parody (Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life) and thrillingly riveting acute joyride (Howard Hawk's The Thing from Another World)
  we've yet seen in the last generation of motion pictures.

  Name me another picture that can so instantaneously, ambidextrously, and completely shift gears from brutal savagery to out-and-out comedic lunacy (just think of the Christmas Cookies/Blender Sequence) with the stunningly ghoulish extraordinary clout that Gremlins accomplishes without ever batting a reptilian eye. You may attribute this attractive charisma entirely to the Gremlins. However it's also Dante's steadfast no compromise craftsmanship that delivers the delicate balance of menace and perversity that remains so universally adored about this film to this very day by so many legions of fans and new viewers alike.

  Overflowing with the quintessential Looney Tunes spirit of jovial irrelevance pulsating throughout its daffy festivities, the Gremlins bar sequence remains one of the single most mentally arresting moments of Eighties cinema. With it's gleeful lunatic goofiness taken to the very optimal zenith of cantankerous hilarity, this definitive burlesque showcase of pricelessly gut-busting spectacle lampoons the shear shallow splendor of binge drinking, chain-smoking, gluttony, high-stakes poker, Dashiell Hammett film noirs (The Big Sleep), misogynistic anarchy, the television show Cheers, urban crime, and Jennifer Beals's cheesy Flashdance renown to the absolute euphoric dizzyingly heights of galvanizing comedic possibilities.

  Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) and Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates) chaotically desperate escape from the old-town movie house is an especially exceptional affectionately subversive amicable nod to Disney's masterwork Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938). This singularly breathtaking climatic chase sequence remains a transcendental majestic tribute to the film medium's boundless past that remains supernaturally priceless beyond the mere mention of words, and blows continuing proof of Dante's ecstatically voracious exhilaration in ransacking the respectable into indelible comical genius. The exemplary majesty of Gremlins remains in it's devilish application of absurdity so effortlessly that it leaves many viewers blushing way beyond the restriction of age. Gremlins has carved its own permanent niche in American Pop Culture and it's definitely not likely to be carted away by any philosophical Asian mystic anytime soon.

  As for the new Gremlins Special Edition DVD, it includes a 2001 remastering of the entire film with the inclusion of numerous extras including: a commendably impressive 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation, a properly atmospheric Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, an impressive Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround audio track, a charmingly nostalgic director and star commentary track featuring Joe Dante, Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Howie Mandel, and (Dante regular and greatly under-appreciated) Dick Miller, an intriguing director and special effects department commentary featuring Joe Dante, Michael Finnell (producer) and Chris Walas (Effects Supervisor), ten minutes of behind-the-scenes footages, theatrical trailer, and several other fascinating trappings to siphon through at your leisure.

  P.S. Break-dancing Gremlins now that will be the day. Oh wait we do have hundreds of Agent Smiths, a skeletal Geoffrey Rush, a half-cranium mechanistic Schwarzenegger (was that a change?), and liquid medal invulnerable supermodels clamorously roaming around by now so who knows.
  
  

• Terrific Dark Comedy!!
  By A3TD7B0CT1NHO4 on 2004-03-06
  Talk about your strange films! This one is in that category, and it's kind of a cult favorite, although I wouldn't call it "cultish." It got wide viewing when it came out, and there are so many great scenes in this movie. Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates head up this great movie, and when Zack's Dad comes back from the city with a gift for his son, beware, and make sure you don't feed it after midnight, or so the legend has it.

  As movies goes, this is terrific. And to see the part where the Gremlins wreak havoc on the small town, to include the minions of them singing "Heigh Ho" in the local theater is a riot!

  Highly recommended!! Lots of laughs!!
  
  

• Excellent Comedy/Horror Movie
  By A2VZP50FSYD6CO on 2005-08-09
  For Christmas, Billy Peltzer's father gives him a cute, furry creature known as a Mogwai that he bought in Chinatown. Billy is warned that he must follow three rules with the Mogwai, whom he names Gizmo: 1) keep him out of light, especially sunlight; 2) don't get him wet; and 3) never feed him after midnight. It doesn't take long before the rules are broken and disaster ensues: the Gremlins multiply and none of them are as cute and lovable as Gizmo. The Gremlins cause much destruction and mayhem in Billy's quiet little town and he and his girlfriend, Kate, rush to stop them before the town is totally destroyed.
  
  Gremlins is a great movie that has a bit of everything: humor, horror, parody and even romance. Billy's town is straight out of "It's A wonderful Life" and the rich and not so nice Mrs. Deagle is a modern day Miss Gulch from The Wizard of Oz. Outside of some scene's in the Peltzer's kitchen and what happens to Mrs. Deagle, the Gremlins are more mischievous than deadly. However, the kitchen scenes are a bit gruesome and not suitable for younger viewers. Most of the film is darkly comic, if a bit violent, especially the bar scene, the scene where the Gremlins call caroling at Mrs. Deagle's house, and the movie theater scene, as well as the final climax. The one scene that feels out of place to me is when Kate describes why she hates Christmas. I've seen the movie many times and still wonder why that scene was left in.
  
  The acting is quite good in this movie. Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates have a nice chemistry together and make a sweet couple. Frances Lee McCain is excellent as Billy's terrorized mother and Hoyt Axton does a great job as Billy's lovable but inept inventor father (some of the funniest scenes in the movie revolve around his inventions). Dick Miller is good as Billy's paranoid neighbor, and Polly Holiday chews up the scenery as the cruel Mrs. Deagle. Judge Reinhold shows up briefly as a potential love rival for Kate and then disappears from the movie, as does Corey Feldman as Billy's young neighbor.
  
  This movie isn't for everyone's taste. I saw the movie with a friend who hated it saying she didn't see anything funny about people being killed at Christmas. Personally, I thought it was wickedly funny and recommend it to fans of darkly comic horror movies.
  
  
  
  
• Billy Peltzer has a cool green jacket
  By AOEYQFI5570UF on 1999-12-13
  Gremlins is and always will be a classic. This DVD offers widescreen and regular formats which is really nice. It also has original trailers which are cool too see after so many years. My only complaint is that I saw Gremlins on TV a few years ago with special footage that was removed from the original. This DVD doesn't have those cut scenes. It would have been nice if it did.
  
  
• Scary (for an 8 year old!)
  By on 1999-05-25
  I saw this movie when I was about 8 years old, and the father dressing up as Santa Claus and getting stuck in the chimney gave me nightmares for months afterwards. I could never watch it again!!
  
  
• Gremlins: A review
  By AJU9V9FTSX7XJ on 2003-04-24
  Gremlins: Classic 80's cinema, and Joe Dante's best work. If you haven't see this movie, shame on you! Go and see it.

  The movie open up when inventor Rand Peltzer(Hoyt Axton)is lead into a small curio shop in chinatown by the store owner's grandson. Rand hears some strange noises coming from the back of the pet shop and heads back to see what it is. The noises are eminating from a small furry creature called a 'Mogwai'. Impressed with it, Mr. Peltzer offers $200 for it, but is told that it is not for sale. "With Mogwai comes much resposibility," says the shop owner. "I cannot sell him at any price." The Chinese man's grandson, however, tells him to meet him outside with the money. Once outside, he is handed the Mogwai. The kid then tells Mr. peltzer three rules he must remember: #1:Keep him out of the light, especially sunlight. #2: Don't get him wet, and the most important rule: NEVER feed him after midnight.

  Rand comes back home and presents his son, Billy(Zach Galligan) the Mogwai, which he has christened 'Gizmo'. Mom tries to take a picture of the Mogwai, thus breaking the first rule...and the other two will be broken in a matter of hours! The next day, Billy's friend Pete spills water on the Mogwai, breaking the second rule. When Mogwais are wet, they reproduce. Soon, 5 new mogwais are born, one of which is named 'Stripe' due to a stipe of white hair running down his back. That night, the Mogwais start making a ruckus for some food. Billy checks his clock, which reads 11:00, so he gives the mogwais some left over chicken. All of them eat it, except Gizmo. The next morning, Billy wakes up to discover 5 sticky cocoons on the ground next to his bed. His mother asks him if he fed the mogwai after midnight. Billy checks his clock, which still reads 11:00. The mogwais tricked him into feeding them after midnight by chewing through the power cord. When the cocoon hatch, Gremlins come out of them, and run amok, in the most comical way possible, of course. Can Billy stop the Gremlins and save his town? Watch and find out!
  
  

• delicious mischief
  By A3MQ672FYFNM7B on 2008-04-06
  "Gremlins" is a heartwarming Christmas movie that your entire family will enjoy! When I think of classic Christmas movies such as "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" I always fondly recall "Gremlins." Because isn't it such a great Christmas movie that all the kids will love. Afterall, "Gremlins" has snow, and decorations and Christmas music and even those cute, furry little pe(s)ts!
  
  Seriously though, I do love "Gremlins" because it's such a great example of a totally 80's movie! Beware if you were not a child of the 80's you may find this movie dated, corny and incredibly hokum. Come to think of it, even if you were a child of the 80's you may think that as well! But it doesn't matter because "Gremlins" is all good! When this movie first came out my parents absolutely forbid my brother and I from watching it. Of course we didn't listen to them though.
  
  "Gremlins" was such a huge sensation; telling a kid that they couldn't see it would certainly constitute cruel and usual punishment! We even had our Gizmo stuffed animals and a few other things. Keep in mind that this movie spawned an entire genre of pseudo-horror flicks ("Ghoulies," and "Goonies " come to mind.)
  
  "Gremlins" tells the hilarious story of what happens when you don't follow the rules and let your Mogwai run wild! Billy Peltzer (played by one-hit wonder, Zach Galligan) receives an early Christmas gift, courtesy of his father Randall (played by Hoyt Axton.) Billy is warned not to ever expose Giz to bright lights or water and never to give him food after midnight (just a side note, if the Mogwai is from Asia, how exactly would he know that it was midnight?) Suffice it to say, the little critter soon multiples, courtesy of Billy's friend Pete (a very young Corey Feldman.)
  
  I especially enjoyed some of the special effects. It was so odd watching Gizmo as he multiplied because the others literally popped out of him. It looked so realistic. Speaking of realistic, I also enjoyed watching the Gremlins hatch from the cocoons. They looked so disgusting and evil.
  
  There're so many lucicrisly hilarious scenes. I could not stop laughing when the Christmas tree "came alive" and started attacking Mrs. Peltzer (Frances Lee McCain.) Actually it had one of the little denomic Gremlins hiding in it! The poor thing was badly stabbed in her face before the malicious Gremlin took off to spread some more Christmas cheer!
  
  Ruby Deagle! She was a Super (starts with a Capital-B & rhymes with) Wiiiiiiiiiiiiitch. Mrs. Deagle was sure a far cry from Polly Holliday's days as Flo, the man-hungry waitress. Actually I'm not sure which was more terrifying, the entire pack of Gremlins or Mrs. Deagle! Her voice was entirely filled with hate and her eyes looked at Billy the way a king-cobra stares at her trapped prey! She was a bitter, old woman, that hated all people and dogs and any other sentient being with a smile (much like my mother-in-law.) Did you catch the part when Deagle went flying the hell out of her house! OMG so funny when that she-dog took off like that!! Polly played that role perfectly!! Because she managed to make Mrs. Deagle appear just as mean-spirited and vicious as any violent monster, even Naomi Campbell!
  
  Here's some fun facts and trivia about "Gremlins" and the people who were in it:
  * The voice of Gizmo was voiced by Howie Mandell.
  * As a result of the controversy that erupted, the MPAA formed a new rating (PG-13.)
  * The scene with Mrs. Peltzer killing one of the Gremlins in the microwave caused the most controversy.
  * There really is a mythical creature called a Mogwai (keep in mind, it is mythical.)
  * Because of its huge worldwide, unprecedented popularity, Warner Bros. decided to re-release "Gremlins" to theaters the following summer after its initial success.
  * Zach Galligan guest stared on one ep of "Melrose Place" during the first season.
  * Phoebe Cates stared in another cult-favorite, 1991's "Drop Dead Fred."
  * Since taking the role of Mrs. Deagle, Polly Holliday has never been able to shake the image of a homely old lady, and has been typecast ever since.
  * Zach Galligan has often been confused with Randall Batinkoff (who stared in Molly Ringwald's "For Keeps.")
  * There was a little-known horror movie from 1987, "Munchies," which had very similar-looking creatures.
  * There was actually one Mogwai (from the first batch, before any of them morphed into those destructive Gremlins) who actually showed kindness towards Gizmo; he was named Earl.
  
  Why do I consider this the granddaddy of all 80's comedy/horror movies? Just because it's the whole good over evil saga; you know, the David and Goliath Story. And of course there's a sexy girl to keep Billy company, Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates) who is always eager to help fight the good cause. And the entire movie is so implausible, you just can't help but laugh at the blatant and utter foolishness.
  
  Over the years there's been a lot of speculation on the true meaning of "Gremlins." I've heard so many different stories. To me, the moral of the story is that not everything is the way it seems. Take this movie for instance, when it came out 24 years ago, everyone got their p@nties all knotted up because it was only PG. But most of these people probably never even watched the movie. Because it wasn't scary or vulgar or offensive in the least bit. It was a comedy mixed with satire. Often, people are most afraid of things that they never even look at.
  
  
  
• Since people are constantly asking me....
  By AEZY77Y82AJA5 on 2000-04-29
  If you've never seen the film: Gremlins is very barely a horror flick, though, ironically, it had the most to do with the invention of the PG13 rating in 1984. There is an excessive number of pointless sightgags [and a few subtle and clever ones, including A BOY'S LIFE playing at the cinema] and childish sound effects. Kids *over* thirteen will be insulted by a lot of this film.

  That aside, it was a fairly original idea...which has been exploited everywhere else, since; you might as well see where it began.

  Regarding the DV: the missing scenes [Reinhold locking himself in the safe, et cetera] aren't on the disc, which is disappointing; the best parts of the film have been removed, and can't be found anywhere right now. The DV also passed on the obvious chance to include a desktop theme for DVRoms, which might have been amusing.

  As for the gremlins themselves--since that's what I'm apparently some sort of expert on--they're far more interesting than the one who beat up Bugs Bunny; but the best gremlin I've seen was in the cinematic Twilight Zone release.

  Gremlins is a fun escape from life for ninety minutes; suspend disbelief, and any problemsolving ability you may have, and you'll be fine.

  --Gremlin
  
  

• I am a Mogwai..Praise Me
  By A2LUPYZWGHXEST on 1999-12-19
  ok, frankly i am sick of some of these reviews here on amazon.com. so, i felt obligated to write a review on one of the best 1980's films out there.."Gremlins". We all know the stuff, don't get them wet, don't expose them to light, don't feed them after midnite, and don't let people write horrible reviews about their acting. "Gremlins" is oh so cute with a little twist of horror..HMM...DELIGHTFUL..So, i hail you little Gizmo and all of your little Magwai friends.
  
  
• WHERE IS GREMLINS 2? AND WHERE ARE THE SPECIAL FEATURES?
  By A2UE2Z9GPKG911 on 2001-08-02
  Gremlins is a great movie. A Classic, it always will be. However why is this movie being released again with a new cover, if nothing is added to the film? Since Joe Dante isnt doing anything now, why doesnt he dig up some things for this films release...Just another monkey making scheme...

  RELEASE GREMLINS 2 what's the hold up??? If you can Release GREMLINS AGAIN...why not part 2.....PLEASE... Note to readers: There is only one trailer, thats it.
  
  

• A piece of my childhood on DVD
  By A3013MHSQS4Y8Y on 2002-06-20
  When it first came out, "Gremlins" was completely underestimated by the studios, who didn't believe that it could be a success. Time (and the box office) proved them wrong, and "Gremlins" turned out to be an 1980's classic. Like me, there are many people who still cherish the memory of those little green monsters that turned Christmas into an orgy of mayhem. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't go beyond there. I must say that, having watched it again recently, many years after its release, it didn't thrill me as it did before, but I bought the DVD because I'm just a nostalgic sap and wanted to have a piece of my childhood in my collection. As for the edition, it didn't pass the test. The picture and sound quality is just a light improvement over the VHS version, and there are very few features. I was very excited when I saw there was a "Behind the scenes" material, but it wasn't a documentary, as I believed, only a text (sorry, folks). At least, the movie has Spanish subtitles. Like I say, I was disappointed, but for all of you who loved this movie, you'll find a place for it in your collection as you once did in your heart.
  
  
• Gremlins
  By on 2002-07-09
  Gremlins is a funny movie. it is about a guy who gets a gremlin
  for christmas. the guy his dad bought it from said not to get it wet, put it in bright lights,or feed it after mid-night.then the guy acidentaly spills water on it then the gremlin makes lots of babys. then later, the babys get hungry at about 11:30 PM.but the gremlins bit the cord on the clock so it didn't work, and it really was after midnight. and the guy feeds them. but gizmo, the first gremlin, isn't hungry. then they all turn into these monsters. after that it gets pretty violent.there is blood and explosions. this movie should be PG-13 instead of PG. you should buy it
  
  
• Excellent Addition to your DVD Collection
  By A1XBMS6MN8X5JX on 2002-08-23
  You really cannot easily classify GREMLINS into a particular genre. Is it a children's film? A comedy? A horror flick? It's a little of each, so there's something for everyone out there, and when added together, it makes for one entertaining package.

  But let's talk about this "Special Edition" DVD. Unlike the previous edition that was released on DVD a few years ago, this one has quite a lot of features. The filmmaker's commentary is funny and informative, the actor's commentary, though less educational, is also amusing to listen to. Lead star Zach Galligan seems to have a photographic memory, as he remembers quite a lot about every scene he was in, and has a fun time reminiscing.

  It's quite fortunate that instead of incorporating the deleted scenes into the film and coming out with a new cut of the film, they just add these as a supplement, since the scenes merely slow down the story. Watch out for Judge Reinhold in many of these scenes. His entire subplot practically got cut from the final version of the film.

  The photogallery is easy to navigate, just forward and back buttons; the featurette is a 5 minute 1983 "On The Set" piece.

  But the real collectible on this disc is the film itself. Unlike many films from the 1980s, this one does not feel dated. It has that little quality that makes it timeless. It's rare that a film can have you laughing hysterically one minute, then jumping out of your seat the next. This is simply mixed-genre filmmaking at its finest.
  
  

• There's a gremlin in my DVD player!
  By A1GI4P25VBXYTO on 2004-02-16
  Gremlins is one of those movies that will always have a place in my heart. I first saw it when I was about five years old. Rest assured, I didn't go near the Christmas tree that year (a reference you'll understand if you've seen the film). But, despite the fact it scared the crap outta me when I was a tot, I loved it just the same. I'm 22 now, so the nightmare factor is toned way down. Still a great, funny movie. And, on all accounts, Gremlins is a classic.

  Warner did DVD fans a good service with this Special Edition. The picture quality is like night and day when compared to the original bare bones edition and the sound is a little improved. Where this edition really shines is in the extras, particularly the commentary with Joe Dante & Friends. Zach Galligan's photographic memory is the high point of it. There's also a typically cheesy 80's making-of featurette where the cast talk about the green guys as if they were living, breathing things. Pretty entertaining.

  I'd rank Gremlins up with those other quintessential 80's movies: the Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Goonies, Batman, etc. Fantastic movie... and the sequel is even funnier!
  
  

• Gremlins Rocks!
  By A4I4WGPTNZT3V on 2004-06-01
  This is an amazing movie. Zach Galligan and Pheobe Cates are a perfect pair. I love thi movie so much. It rocks! Gizmo is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
  cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  

• Gremlins 2 - The New Batch
• The Goonies
• E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (Widescreen Edition)
• Short Circuit (Special Edition)
• Beetlejuice