- Film Review
- Reviewed By John Ferguson
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4 out of 5
Although executive producer Steven Spielberg ensures that things don't get too nasty, this wonderfully anarchic affair is still one of Hollywood's blackest mainstream hits. Zach Galligan plays the teenager who is given a cuddly pet mogwai called Gizmo, but through carelessness he unwittingly unleashes a vicious, murderous swarm of little gremlins. There's no doubt whose side director Joe Dante is on and he gleefully trashes the view of small-town America portrayed by feel-good movies such as It's a Wonderful Life (which is being screened on TV throughout the tale). Film buffs will delight in the many in-jokes and the long list of cameos, ranging from Roger Corman veteran Dick Miller to Spielberg himself. And Phoebe Cates's admirably straight-faced Christmas speech should be compulsory viewing during the festive season.
Plot Summary
Black comedy horror starring Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates. In a small American town, kindly inventor Rand Peltzer brings home a cute little animal called a mogwai for his son Billy, with three rules for its upkeep: never get the mogwai wet, expose him to light or feed him after midnight. Accidentally, these rules get broken and all hell breaks loose.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Billy Peltzer
- Zach Galligan
- Kate
- Phoebe Cates
- Rand Peltzer
- Hoyt Axton
- Lynn Peltzer
- Frances Lee McCain
- Mrs Deagle
- Polly Holliday
- Grandfather
- Keye Luke
- Chinese boy
- John Louie
- Mr Futterman
- Dick Miller
- Mrs Futterman
- Jackie Joseph
- Sheriff Frank
- Scott Brady
- Mr Anderson
- Harry Carey Jr
- Rockin' Ricky Rialto
- Don Steele
- Pete
- Corey Feldman
- Pete's father
- Arnie Moore
- Roy Hanson
- Glynn Turman
- Mrs Harris
- Belinda Balaski
- Gerald
- Judge Reinhold
Crew
- Director
- Joe Dante
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