Gremlins: Not Spielberg's beststeemCreated with Sketch.

in movies •  3 years ago 

Steven Spielberg is one of those producers who, it seems, can't make a bad movie. While not the worst movie out there, Gremlins is definitely not the best one.

A failed inventor is looking for a gift for his adult son. He finds it in Chinatown, in the form of a Mugwai (a very cute and small mammal). He is solemnly warned about three important things: avoid bright lights (especially sunlight), avoid water and don't feed him after midnight. Of course, things will go haywire...

I vaguely remember watching this movie (but mostly the 2nd one) as a child. With my critical adult eye, I wonder why I ever found interest in this movie. The scenario is goldsheet-thin and includes the usual 80s tropes: dumb policemen, evil and cold-hearted capitalist, struggling families facing the evil capitalists, woke commentaries before the term even existed... Entertainment is meant as a distraction, not as an extension of real life.

On the plus side, the practical effects were done well, from the Mugwai movements to their transformation and movements as their "final stage", except when they move in hordes (the special FX look dated). Also, the Mother is rather brave when facing the imps. She does scream a lot, but at least she acts to fight them rather than flee. And when it's not too heavily synthesized, the music can be enjoyable

In short, this movie will be hit or miss. The story line is uninteresting and has all the 80s clichés, but at least the practical effects can still hold up to today's standards. (deep gravely voice) yum, yum

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It was still pretty amazing considering the time period. A couple of years ago I went back and tried to rewatch this and it hasn't aged well but then again, we didn't have much in the way of tech at the time.

"special" effects are average, but practical ones were good even for today