Gremlins

Gremlins released in 1984, produced by Stephen Spielberg is a classic comedic horror movie. This film along with Spielberg's Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom are a huge reason being the PG13 rating, because this film isn't explicit enough for an R rating, but is still too explicit to be a PG rating, so it was determined that a middle rating needed to exist. This film also came out at the same time as Ghostbusters, which is also a pioneer of the comedic horror genre, though movies of that genre did exist before, these are the films that really established that as a mainstream genre. Gremlins also inspired cute monster trend that would extend through the 80s and 90s with films like Critters, Ghoulies, Troll, and other movies that used cute little mischievous critters for their monsters. Gremlins was a success with mostly positive reviews. The characters were well casted though some are a little one dimensional, and cartoony which I suppose fits the tone of the film, but honestly nothing to really complain about as far as characters go, just none really stand out as being great either. The story revolves around this inventor who while on a business trip in Chinatown goes into an oddities shop to find a gift for his son Billy (by the way cue Asian stereotypes, that we will only let pass because of the time period it was released, I would like to think that those stereotypes would not be present if the film were made today). At the oddity shop he finds this cute critter called a Mogwai, which is not for sale, but the shop owner is in desperate need of money so his grandson goes behind his back and sells the inventor the Mogwai for $200. The Mogwai came with three very important rules: 1.) Don't Get Wet, 2.) Don't Feed After Midnight and 3.) Avoid Bright Light (especially sunlight which will kill the Mogwai). Simple rules right, how could anything go wrong? Yep, Gizmo (the Mogwai) gets wet, multiples, and then those little fuckers eat after midnight and turn into Gremlins and then all hell breaks loose... The effects of this film hold up well even today, as this was made far before CGI was a thing, so the creatures were done mostly through puppetry. The effects team really did do an amazing job, and it is impressive how great they still look. I feel like there is a charm to this style of practical effects that are lacking in today's digital world. The sets also all look really good and there is something wonderful about seeing this Norman Rockwell esque town turn into a hellscape as the Gremlins wreak havoc. At the time this was a very original movie, with an original concept and style. There are some controversies concerning how some critics view the Gremlins as being a portrayal of black people, because of their costumes, the fact that they eat fried chicken, wear sunglasses at night, listen to "black music", and break-dance. I really don't know what to think of this honestly, so I will just leave it here for you to consider when you watch it, are Gremlins racist stereo-types, or is it all coincidental and critics just trying to find controversy where there is none. As I have said on other reviews, when it comes to issues like this I don't know if I really get to have a say in what is or isn't a racial portrayal unless it is blatant and obviously intentional. So if you are Black and you feel that the Gremlins are racist depictions of black people then please leave a comment. Would I recommend this film? Yes absolutely, this is a classic comedic horror movie that spawned a whole genre of films to follow in its wake. This film was a huge part of my and other kids my age's childhoods. Gremlins has also become a huge part of our pop-culture, and I would be shocked if you showed someone a picture of Gizmo if they wouldn't know who he is. Definitely one of the great horor movies of the 80s, and a great Christmas movie (yes if folks are gonna claim that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, than dammit I am claiming Gremlins as a Christmas movie). So grab some friends and get ready for a fun night of destructive monsters turning a peaceful town into a war-zone. Definitely a great 80s film and if you miraculously have not seen it, don't hesitate.