Gremlins (1984)

With Christmas fast approaching and it’s triumphant return to cinema screens in early December, I thought this is as good a time as any to re-visit the beloved black-comedy Christmas classic, 1984s creature feature “Gremlins.”

The Christmas movie genre is a mixed bag (or sack) of various tones, age demographics and levels of quality. “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is, in my opinion, the definitive archetype festive film, whilst Arnie’s so-bad-it’s-good cheesy comedy “Jingle All the Way” never fails to make me smile. The witty and snarky “Iron Man 3” is one of the most underrated comic book movies ever made, and you can’t go wrong with the yuletide antics of John McClane in “Die Hard.”

The best way to describe “Gremlins” is that it’s the perfect antidote to sickeningly saccharine Christmas movies (e.g. “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Elf” and “The Polar Express”), it’s a dark and twisted tale that somehow still retains some heart-warming and humorous moments.

It goes without saying that the creature effects in “Gremlins” are truly superb. The brilliant animatronics and puppetry all throughout the film bring every mischievous Gremlin to life; from the adorable Gizmo (who stands alongside Baby Groot as one of the cutest movie characters of all time) to the disgusting and fairly frightening leader Stripe, every creature feels like a living, breathing being. Some of my favourite sequences in the movie (such as the bar scene or the montage of the town being decimated by the Gremlins) revolve around the little green monsters causing mayhem. These moments are creative and hysterically funny, brilliantly satirizing upbeat Christmas movies.

Every member of the cast in “Gremlins” does a stellar job. Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates are excellent as the film’s two leads, they have great chemistry and are fantastic in both the lighter scenes and the more intense sequences (Cates’s notorious monologue about why her character doesn’t celebrate Christmas is believable and bleak.)

The supporting cast houses several entertaining character actors, including Hoyt Axton and Dick Miller, who are charismatic and fun to watch on screen.

I also have to mention Jerry Goldsmith’s incredible score in “Gremlins.” Its ambient tones mesh perfectly with the more tender moments whilst the creepy tunes highlight the horror-tinged sequences magnificently. I absolutely love the “Gremlins” theme tune, it’s spine-tingling and amusing at the same time!

In conclusion, “Gremlins” is one of the most unique and uproarious festive films ever made. It’s black-humour, jaw-dropping practical effects and enjoyable performances bring this B-movie parody up to the A-Level.

“So if your air conditioner goes on the fritz or your washing machine blows up or your video recorder conks out; before you call the repairman turn on all the lights, check all the closets and cupboards, look under all the beds, cause you never can tell there just might be a gremlin in your house.”