I have been a fan of Gremlins for a long time but was too young to see it at the cinema when it was first released back in 1984 (I was only 3 at the time!). So when it recently got a brief Christmas re-release I was very excited to see it on the big screen.
For anyone not familiar with the movie it tells the tale of an inventor who discovers a small creature called a mogwai in a store in chinatown and buys it as a Christmas present for his son. The mogwai comes with a set of rules though. You don't know the rules?!?! Well the first rule is don't get the mogwai wet, don't give him water to drink, don't give him a bath, absolutely no water. The second rule is don't feed him after midnight, not even a crumb. The third rule is don't expose him to bright light, sunlight will kill him. Of course no-one ever plays by the rules so poor little Gizmo (that's what they name him) gets wet, his offspring get fed after midnight and chaos ensues as Gremlins take over the small town.
Gremlins is a classic by any standard but seeing it on the big screen made it even more magical. Sure some of the effects featuring a mass amount of Gremlins haven't really stood the test of time but it's cinema peeps! Use your imagination! It's a great story, well acted and has that wonderful Christmassy feel to it. But the great thing about Gremlins is that it still manages to give you those frights and jumps every now and again, and laughs too. It's a wonderful mix of comedy, horror, love story and fantasy adventure and all wrapped up in a Christmas bow.
And if the last scene doesn't have you blubbing like a baby (which it always does to me), well then I wonder if you have a heart at all. A well deserved round of audience applause at the end gives Gremlins my only 10 out of 10 of 2012.
Best line: "To hear, one has only to listen." Gets me every time!
Best line: "To hear, one has only to listen." Gets me every time!
Viewing Date - 11th December 2012
Original UK Release Date - 7th December 1984
Cast Overview:
Zach Galligan ~ Billy Peltzer
Phoebe Cates ~ Kate Beringer
Hoyt Axton ~ Randall Peltzer
Francis Lee McCain ~ Lynn Peltzer
Corey Feldman ~ Pete Fountaine
Keye Luke ~ Mr Wing
John Louie ~ Mr Wing's Grandson
Dick Miller ~ Murray Futterman
Jackie Joseph ~ Sheila Futterman
Polly Holliday ~ Mrs Deagle
Hudge Reinhold ~ Gerald Hopkins
Director ~ Joe Dante
Writer ~ Chris Columbus
Gremlins is a stone cold classic and one of the few films I have never seen on the big screen that I love, so lucky you for getting the opportunity!
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