Gremlins Reviews

For such a serious tone to the film, with such an off-putting idea, "Gremlins" does everything right both in uniqueness and in style. I loved every minute of this film. It is a classic tale of a boy getting a present for Christmas, but this one is an unknown creature (cute and adorable) which becomes much more. Starting from a little pet, it becomes a town infestation. The quirky tone to the film, made by the odd musical score, is something I have never really heard before. A dark scene passes by and you are left wondering why they had uplifting and fun music playing over it. The direction is fantastic, the effects are creepy for it's time, and the film is just very well-made overall. "Gremlins" is fantastic entertainment!

Gremlins clearly aims to be somekind of mixture of elements borrowed from Steven Spielberg and more traditional monster films. There are moments of of pure comedy and there are moments of some mild horror, but somehow the mixture just does not work.
For all of it's running time Gremlins feels uneven and even boring at times. Too often we are not certain if director Joe Dante's intentions are to make us spooked or just laugh. Plot here without a doubt just plain silly and what else can you expect from Chris Columbus, who made the screenplay for this film, the man behind many awful comedies like Mrs. Doubtfire and Nine Months. Director Dante is certainly much better director than Columbus has ever been and deserves much better screenplay than what he is working from here.
From past thirty years this film has gained a cult reputation among many filmgoers but in the end it is nothing else but a sloppily made entertainment that does not have enough thrills or awe to be anything special. It just does not come alive as a film. There is still potential here with this concept and Director Joe Dante succeeded much better with his Gremlins 2 which is full blown parade of bad jokes, monster mash and horror film references.
There are some hilarious moments here also but not enough to make this film truly worth to see.

A criative cult pop movie. Gremlins it's the schizophrenic personification of America fears with a touch of Steven Spielberg.

Gremlins is another film by master director Joe Dante. The film blends Comedy and Horror very well and is a very creative film. What I love most about this film is it's originality, it had me laughing screaming, laughing and really I just had a great time watching this film. If you're looking for a great Horror Comedy, then Gremlins is it. It's a very original film and if you like silly films like Killer Klowns From Outer Space, you will love Gremlins. Gremlins is one great film, and is one of Joe Dante's best along with his more serious horror film, The Howling. So, if you like great, Horror comedy then pick Gremlins up, you will a great time as these furry creature don't play nice. With a lot of Tongue in cheek moments, and an interesting story, Gremlins is a memorable horror comedy that is entertaining from start to finish. Produced by Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante and Steven Spielberg create something fun. If you enjoy silly tongue in cheek horror, Gremlins is the film to watch. Joe Dante is a great director and with Gremlins, he solidifies that statement. This is a fun film from start to finish and is one of the best horror comedies of the 1980's. If you love horror comedies, and haven't seen this classic, then head on to your video store and rent it. This a great film from start to finish, a film that remains one of the best horror comedies ever released. Get ready for a memorable crazy ride because Gremlins delivers.

Gremlins is a fun classic that will make you laugh out loud. Gremlins made a new image for the monster movie, although out-dated effects by modern standards, its still a really fun watch and will always be worth your time.

GREMLINS is a hilarious movie. Even though Steven Spielberg serves as only the executive producer, it is some of his best work. This is also the best horror-comedy work of Steven Spielberg's, seconded by the 1990 film ARACHNOPHOBIA. Sometimes, I just sit and remember the last few scenes in this film and think, "Thank goodness there's no way this can be real." Everything from the opening "invention" scene at the Chinese shop, to the scene at the YMCA, to the scene at the movie theater, is pure brilliance. This film is truly amazing, and I quite humbly pity you if you prefer to think otherwise.

A boat load of fun and way more intense then I imagine. One two films responsible for the creation of the PG-13 rating (the other is Temple of Doom).

A young boy receives a cuddly little creature for Christmas but it inadvertently spawns a horde of vicious creatures hell bent on chaos. Gremlins is what would happen if the muppets went over to the dark side. A comic horror from Joe Dante, it was a bit of a cult in the 80s and went on to spawn a host of inferior imitators. The idea is pretty simple, that the "gremlins" of myth were in fact real, but it has plenty of scope for slapstick carnage and it comes up with some memorable scenes when they are initially loosed upon the sleepy little town. The funniest scenes are when mom gets medieval on their asses with a variety of kitchen appliances (before getting attacked by a Christmas tree in an homage to John Waters) and the turbo charged stairlift. Its biggest flaw is that it's pretty much a one idea story, but it has some inventive animatronics and enough chuckles to make it worth the time. A bit too silly for horror and not funny enough to be considered comedy, but it does have its moments.

I love Gremlins, it's one of my favourite movies ever, and an 80s classic! It's a cute, funny, and exciting monster movie, unlike anything you've ever seen. I highly recommend it.

a horror film for kids? although a true horror classic this film is more fun than it is frightening, but its one of the best films of my childhood and still great to watch as a grown up.

Gremlins multiply and wreck havoc on a small town. Scared me as a kid. Poor Gizmo.

"So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz or your washing machine blows up or your video recorder conks out; before you call the repairman turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, 'cause you never can tell there just might be a gremlin in your house."

A boy inadvertantly breaks 3 important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

REVIEW
From the opening sequence to the end credits, Gremlins has a certain charm to it. Perhaps it was the directing style of Joe Dante, or the screenplay by Chris Columbus. Whichever, it is a fun, entertaining and imaginative film. Gizmo (voiced by a young Howie Mandel) is a true creature effect, as are the Gremlins. This is one film that would have lost its charm if it were made today. The fact that we barely ever see Gizmo's feet when he runs, or the Gremlins lower bodies is wonderful. It is part of the charm that this film carries. I wouldn't want to see Gizmo looking like Yoda from the newest Star Wars films, cheap and unrealistic. It's great to have little creature creations, with real, fake fur (I know that sounds dumb but think about it). The cast is not extra ordinary, which makes it also feel so fun to watch, but nevertheless, the cast is still great, though the character of Billy wasn't the best they could have chosen, but like I said, that's part of the fun of it all. Gremlins has to be one of the most chaotic, entertaining, mesmerizing, adventurous, revolutionary, charming, fun-filled films of the past twenty years.

I think that if I saw this movie when I was a kid...I would have loved it. And seen it many times. But now...It felt kind of stupid. Even though he was kind of cute...

though my parents and sisters hate this movie i think its pretty good. Though it isn't a masterpiece like the second one it still is pretty good

2 stars

B+

Grandfather: I'm sorry. Mogwai not for sale.
Randall Peltzer: Why not? You said everything in your grandfather's store was for sale.
Grandfather: With Mogwai, comes much responsibility. I cannot sell him at any price.

A wonderfully entertaining film that belongs on anyone's alternative Christmas film list, right up there with Die Hard and Bad Santa. This is a mix of comedy (mostly dark), satire, and horror, into a Christmas creature feature.

The film takes place in an small American town, easily resembling one from any regular Christmas time feature, a father has just brought his twenty something son Billy, played by Zach Galligan, a Christmas gift, a Mogwai. The Mogwai, named Gizmo, is a small, furry, cute creature that seems to be quite clever and will certainly be lovable. However, it also has a list of rules needed to be followed. Don't put it in bright lights, don't get water on it, and never feed it after midnight. Of course, in order to have a movie, rules will have to be broken...

Lynn Peltzer: Get Out Of My Kitchen!

Once the rules are broken, things turn for the worse, as Gizmo has copies of himself emerge from him (copies that are much more mischievous) and eventually grow into vicious little monsters causing havoc all over town.

The way this movie morphs from a comedy into a horror flick is well established, while never getting lost in its tone. Director Joe Dante does well at establishing everything and letting the mess unfold in a well shot manner. The comedy and gags certainly become darker as the film moves on, but the way it is featured throughout is solid and certainly a bit different from the average Christmas film at the start.

The creature effects are also quite good. The use of real puppets and their various actions are all effective enough to provide both the connection to the lovable Gizmo character and enough in the way of tension and mild scares with the Gremlins.

Being one of the films (along with Temple of Doom) to inspire the PG-13 rating, because of how dark they are, I would have loved to see family audiences in the theater reacting to this PG rated film, expecting to see a more family friendly holiday film. Its certainly not setting out to be offensive, just a different take that is still entertaining, however, when Billy's mom has to take out three different gremlins using an assortment of weapons (which follows one of my favorite music queues ever ((excuse the hyperbole))), I can understand a possible shock from the parents with their children.

The creative input from Spielberg and the memorable score by Jerry Goldsmith certainly bump this film up a few notches as well.

A lot of fun to be had.

Billy Peltzer: The creatures are making it look like an accident!

Deliciously dark, at times psychotic humour carry this little creature feature through its whole running time. The Mogwai are well cute and all the puppetry is executed in a realistic but slightly unnerving way. It somehow manages to bring forth the warm, cozy feeling of Christmas, despite the malicious little critters and their wicked ways. Surprisingly perfect for families as the scary parts are scary, the violence is disturbing, but not so much that anyone will be psychologically damaged . It's a kind of kitsch nasty.

Who can't enjoy the insanity that makes Gremlins what it is? The plot is simple, yet outrageous, showing you what happens when you break three simple rules. As far as kids movies, it's pretty mature. It has a really bizarre glossy look to it that sets it apart from anything like it. The best part is the twisted sense of humor and sarcastic nature of the movie. It's even more hilarious today due to the popularity of Furbys (and just how wrong that could go).