Gremlins 2: The New Batch
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Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a 1990 American comedy horror film, and the sequel to the 1984 film Gremlins. It was directed by Joe Dante and written by Charles S. Haas, with creature designs by Rick Baker. Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, and Keye Luke reprise their roles from the first film. New cast members include John Glover, Robert Prosky, Haviland Morris, Robert Picardo, and Christopher Lee; additionally, the film features Tony Randall providing the voice for one of the gremlins.
Plot
The magical collectibles store that Gizmo calls home has just been destroyed, and the tiny monster finds his way into a newly erected skyscraper. Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) and his bride-to-be, Kate (Phoebe Cates), who have previously dealt with Gremlins run amok, discover that Gizmo and an impish legion of reptilian pals are inhabiting the downtown building. The couple tries to stop the creatures from escaping into New York City, but this new batch of beasts might be uncontrollable.
Why It Rocks
- It is a great follow-up of the first film.
- Since the first movie had pretty gruesome and violent scenes for PG-rated, it managed to put PG-13 rated for this film where it can be enjoyable.
- There are outstanding and entertaining sketches that parody pop cultures of other films and stories, including Gremlins itself, the Rambo films, The Wizard of Oz, Marathon Man, and The Phantom of the Opera.
- Gizmo, Billy, and Kate are still very likeable characters.
- Lots of great new characters like Daniel Clamp, Marla Bloodstone, Grandpa Fred, Dr. Catheter, and Forster.
- Neat extended roles for Mr. and Mrs. Futterman from the first film.
- The new batch of Gremlins are just as funny and creepy as their predecessors.
- Like the first film, there's a good blend of comedy and horror.
- There are still some pretty funny moments.
- There are still a couple of well done disturbing moments.
- Great performances from the cast, including for the newer role of John Glover, Robert Prosky, Haviland Morris, Robert Picardo, and Christopher Lee.
- The effects and puppetry are better than ever.
- The Gremlin and Mogwai designs and puppets have received a huge upgrade. Especially with the Gremlin's experimental forms.
- Like the first film, there are plenty of memorable moments.
- Jerry Goldsmith provides another great and chaotic score.
- The writing is mostly pretty good.
- There's some great meta humor throughout the film. Among the moments:
- Just before the Mohawk Gremlin reveals himself, there's a bit focused on the plot holes about the rule of how Mogwais turn into Gremlins if they are fed after midnight.
- A scene where Leonard Maltin, who gave the original Gremlins film a negative review (both in real life and in this film), is attacked by Gremlins as revenge.
- A sequence where the film comes to a complete halt due to a group of Gremlins taking over the projection room (or in the case of the VHS release, the TV set) with Hulk Hogan (or John Wayne in the VHS version) having to stop them and get the film restarted.
- There is the Warner Bros. opening logo about Looney Tunes with Bugs and Daffy (and later Porky Pig at the end of the film) which is a hilarious gag.
Bad Qualities
- There is one scene in the beginning where Gizmo walks in broad daylight, although the first film established that sunlight could kill him. But you could make the argument that there was no sunlight directly on him because of all the buildings surrounding him.
- This film is arguably too crazy and zany compared to the original.
- There aren't nearly as many creepy moments like the first one.
- Some of the effects shots aren't that good.
- It does drag at times.
- It can be too similar to the first film at times.
Reception
Gremlins 2: The New Batch received positive reviews like the first movie. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 71% based on 63 reviews, with an average rating of 6.62/10. The site's consensus states; "Gremlins 2 trades the spiky thrills of its predecessor for looney satire, yielding a succession of sporadically clever gags that add some flavor to a recycled plot".
External Links
Gremlins 2: The New Batch at the Internet Movie Database
Gremlins 2: The New Batch on Rotten Tomatoes