It’s time for the Gremlins blu-ray review as I feel like a Christmas film. So what better than a comedy horror set at Christmas.
- Gremlins (1984)
- Genre: Comedy, Horror
- Directed By Joe Dante
- Written By Chris Columbus
- Music By Jerry Goldsmith
- Cinematography By John Hora
- UK Rating 15
- Released By Warner Home Video
- Starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, Frances Lee McCain, Dick Miller
Plot
Inventor Randall Peltzer is on the lookout for a Christmas present for his son Billy. He finds himself being directed to a small shop off the main shopping area in Chinatown. Whilst looking around he discovers a mogwai (a small furry animal) he later calls Gizmo. After initially being told the mogwai was not for sale the owners grandson follows Randall out of the shop and sells him Gizmo.
However he is told he must stick to the following rules:
- Keep him away from bright light – Sunlight can kill him
- Don’t get him wet
- Never feed him after midnight
To cut to the chase so to speak, these rules end up being broken and the result is chaos for the residents of Kingston Falls. It’s a absolute classic story!
Style / Direction
Everything about this film is pretty much perfect, it looks great, being set at Christmas with plenty of snow really helps make this a special film. Pacing wise it’s spot on, it moves along at a fairly brisk pace, providing plenty of funny moments along the way.
Hoyt Axton aka Randall Peltzer narrates the films intro and ending. The beginning fills in the audience without having to show every scene and this is a far better way of starting the film. Plus his voice is spot on for narrating pieces like this just like Morgan Freeman is good at doing a similar job in his films.
Despite Gizmo being incredibly cute, this is very much an adult themed film hence it still being a certificate 15 all these years later.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is simply peferct from the intro song to Jerry Goldsmith’s awesome score. Surely everyone loves the music from Gremlins right?
Acting / Characters
Casting in all roles is simply inspired. Hoyt Axton who plays Randall Peltzer a inventor who’s inventions only seem to work sporadically, he is simply brilliant in this role.
Zach Galligan as Billy Peltzer is perfect as the young slightly naive guy who is the main character driving the film. Well he doesn’t manage too much driving as his VW is somewhat unreliable.
Phoebe Cates similarly is perfect as Kate Beringer the girl with some truly great Christmas stories. She has excellent timing and delivery of all her lines.
Corey Feldman adds a another good performance as Pete Fountaine, Billy’s friend. Oh and lets not forget the excellent Dick Miller as Murray Futterman, the Peltzers neighbour.
Then I can’t not mention Polly Holliday as Mrs Deagle the nasty woman who controls the town. Really every character is superb all making this a true movie classic.
Conclusion: Gremlins (1984) Film Review
I think Gremilins is one of those films which got everything right. The perfect mix of humour and horror whilst being set a Christmas in the town of Kingston Falls.
I really do love this film, great directing, acting and music make this a must see film every Christmas.
If you enjoyed this Gremlins blu-ray review so far you may want to check out the following Christmas films:
Conclusion: Gremlins Blu-ray Review
The Blu-ray version looks great a clean and sharp picture without any speckles of flickers anywhere to be seen.
Gremlins is a classic film and has been given the restoration it deserves.
Should you upgrade from the DVD version? Absolutely, I have no hesitation in recommending the Blu-ray.
Extras
- Commentaries: Joe Dante, Phoebe Cates, Zach Gilligan
- Over 10 Minutes of Unseen Footage
- Making of Featurette
- Gallery
- Trailers
Gremlins (1984) Blu-ray is available now from Amazon.co.uk.
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: Gremlins (1984)
MOVIE RATING: MUST SEE
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
Gremlins (1984) Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster with trailer…
Trailer not representative of the blu-ray version
Gremlins blu-ray review is just one of many Christmas reviews & features across the site
Summary: Gremlins (1984) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Gremlins (1984)
Movie description: Christmas present causes mayhem in the town of Kingston Falls
Duration: 106 mins
Director(s): Joe Dante
Actor(s): Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, Dick Miller
Genre: Comedy, Horror
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Rating
- Extras
Summary
The perfect mix of comedy horror that looks simply breathtaking on Blu-ray.
