Gremlins 2 - The New Batch
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Movie Reviews of Gremlins 2 - The New Batch
Movie Review: Howling, underrated classic.
Summary: 5 Stars
The relative financial failure of Gremlins 2: The New Batch in its theatrical run was one of the gross injustices of late-'80s, early-'90s cinema. Gremlins 2 is superior to the first in every single way -- richer, funnier, faster-moving, better lit and shot, far better acted, and the script by Charlie Haas is light years ahead of its clumsy Chris Columbus-scripted predecessor. Gremlins 2 gets my vote for best sequel of all time. While The Godfather, Part II, Terminator 2 and The Empire Strikes Back tend to lead that poll, all these previous entries had pretty strong predecessors. On the other hand, Gremlins, the original film, was an interesting and sometimes funny little film, but Gremlins 2 really improved on every front and came up with something nobody has ever seen before.
Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates are ten times more interesting in the sequel than in the original, probably thanks to the script. As a condition for director Joe Dante committing to do the sequel the studio had given him full control of the content, and Dante and writer Haas do a tremendous job in weaving this zany world together, which is like Die Hard meets Dawn of the Dead meets Gremlins. The comedic elements are definitely superior, and the concept of giving each gremlin a distinct personality is immediately winning, the "brain" gremlin and the crazy loose-cannon gremlin being especially hilarious. (Phoebe Cates' interactions with the loose-cannon gremlin are just priceless.) The film is ripe with satirical ideas and populated with highly charming characters. In the first Gremlins, the "bad" characters are simply bad without much humanity to them. Here, all the "villainous" characters are given their share of complexity, right down to the riotous ending.
Again, it is baffling to me that the first film, interesting at best and clunky at worst, was a huge box-office hit while this superlative sequel literally ended the franchise. (Dante had said in an interview that the studio, not believing in the film, had opened Gremlins 2 against Dick Tracy in an effort to undermine Warren Beatty's film, thus damaging Gremlins 2's theatrical take.) But that's what video and DVD are for, and if you've never seen this film, it's definitely a winner.
Movie Review: Excellent sequel!
Summary: 5 Stars
Three years has passed since the incident in Kingston Falls, Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) and his fiancee Katie (Phobe Cates) has moved to New York City where they work for a Donald Trump-esque media moguel Daniel Clamp (John Glover) who has a unique kind of buidling for technology and cable TV. Luckily Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandall) is there in the big apple as his master (Keye Luke) has recently died and is captured by a Clamp buidling research scientist but gets rescued by his old pal Billy. However Gizmo accidently gets wet once again to spawn more Mogwais that turn into the ghastly Gremlins once again but this time they are more advanced and more enchanced thanks to the genetic material in the labs. Now they have taken control of the building and it's up to Billy, Gizmo and Katie to put a stop to the ghouls before they escape in the big apple.
The film also stars Christopher Lee, Robert Picardo, Henry Gibson, John Astin, Leonard Maltin, Robert Prosky, Geedee Wanatanbe, Dick Miller, Bubba Smith, Hulk Hogan and has the voice of Tony Randall as the voice of Brain Gremlin. It's a creative and more inventive sequel to the 1984 horror comedy masterpiece as Steven Spielburg and Joe Dante reunite to make a sequel that almost surpasses the original and it's even more funnier with some tounge-in-cheek in-jokes with satire on commercialism. This is truly a worthy sequel to the classic and is great fun for everyone who enjoyed the original.
This DVD has excellent picture and sound with fine extras like audio ocmmentary, Gag reel, Cast and Crew film Highlights, an easter egg containing an alternative video version of the Technical difficulties scene, Trailer, Featurette, and deleted scenes with optional commentary.
Movie Review: Its more than a sci-fi comedy !
Summary: 5 Stars
Gremlins 2 should definately be considered a superior sequel. Everything about this movie is top notch and for B-flicks that usually is not the case. Even the critics who despised the first Gremlins gave this movie good reviews. So much creativity was put into this film that it surprises me Spielburg didn't return to the project(Joe Dante did return). Everything from character development, stage settings, the music, and overall story were well thought out and you can tell that the actors enjoyed playing their parts and had a good time on the set. Gremlins 2 by no means takes itself too seriously. The first portion of the movie gives you the impression that it will be rushed though it doesn't end up that way. Four of the characters including Gizmo return from the first Gremlins and the gremlins themselves are designed a bit differently though it is definately for the better. Regarding my comment on the creativity of this movie, you must see it for yourself. This gremlins sequel (superior sequel, mind you) gets the DVD treatment it deserves like Terminator 2 did in terms of bonus features (okay, Terminator 2 had alot more but you get my point). Each feature is worth viewing and there are also some easter eggs a.k.a hidden features. At first I hoped for a Gremlins 3 but I don't see how it would rank up with this one. Even if you happened to not care much for the first Gremlins, you still should give Gremlins 2 a look. I honestly know someone who didn't care too much for Gremlins but told me they really enjoyed the sequel.Movie Review: Probably the finest sequel ever made
Summary: 5 Stars
Gremlins 2: The New Batch is one of those rare sequels that's a lot more fun than the original. A virtual live action Looney Tune with more movie references than you can count and some great digs at 80s-90s corporate culture ("Have a powerful day!" urge the PA systems), it's a constant delight. Among the many targets are Yuppies, Batman, Eva Marie Saint, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, movie critics, projectionists, colorization ("Today on the Clamp Cable Network - Casablanca, now in color with new improved happy ending!"), Kander and Ebb musical numbers, Rambo, King Kong and Marathon Man's dentistry scene, re-enacted by a cross-eyed Gremlin version of Ed Wynn, ensuring that if you don't like one joke, another one you will like will probably be along soon. Tony Randell is the standout in the cast as the `Brain' Gremlin, although John Glover's childishly enthusiastic, deliriously misguided and irrepressibly irresponsible Donald Trump-Ted Turneresque mogul nearly steals the show. Even Christopher Lee demonstrates the sense of humor that's so tragically lacking from the man in real life. You also get to see Jerry Goldsmith demonstrating why he never took up acting ("Did she say she saw a rat?"). Stupid fun was never so smart.
The extras are good - a huge batch of deleted scenes, gag reel, brief featurette revealing Gizmo's increasing egomania, trailer and the alternate video remote sequence from the video release as an Easter Egg (the DVD is the original cinema version).
Movie Review: Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Summary: 5 Stars
Director: Joe Dante.
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph.
Rated PG-13 for cartoonish monster violence and language.
Running Time: 107 minutes.
Perhaps one of the most perfect blends of horror and comedy, this sequel to the 1984 cult hit is arguably even better than original. Those crazy flesh-eating marsupials branch out from just tormenting small towns and promote themselves to the big-time--New York City. Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates return to take on the fiendish ghouls as they invade and terrorize the futuristic New York City high-rise that Billy Peltzer (Galligan) works.
Joe Dante, director of the original "Gremlins", as well as other horror-comedy romps such as "Piranha" and "The Howling", does a stupendous job using the gremlins as not only horrific threats to the main characters, but exploits them for social satire and surprise in-jokes. Superb supporting cast, including Dick Miller once again as the estranged hillbilly who believes that the gremlins are truly the World War II staples that the name infers. An incredibly hilarious, yet terrifying mixture that is underrated, unappreciated, and unbelievably enjoyable. Simply a campy work of art. Note: The gremlin's rendition of "New York, New York" is stupendous.