Gremlins 2
Two years after the events of the first movie, Gizmo’s owner has died (following a fight with Daniel Clamp, a greedy land developer who wants to buy his store for expanding his empire. He has been taken into a research facility owned by Clamp – and run by Dr Catheter a somewhat ‘mad scientist’, which is in Clamp Tower.
It just so happens that Billy and Kate both work at Clamp Tower, and discover that Gizmo is there too. Now they must stop Gizmo from breaking the three rules; never get wet, never feed him after midnight and do not expose him to bright light.
But of course, that is going to be hard to do.
Direction
Directed by Joe Dante, the mixture of practical effects and early nineties special effects is done well.
Cast/Characters
Returning from the first film are of course Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates as Billy and Kate. Dick Miller and Jackie Joseph reprise their roles as Mr and Mrs Futterman as well.
New cast members include Robert Prosky who plays a Grampa Fred from the Munsters, Christopher Lee as a spoof of a mad scientist from every B movie, Gedde Watanabe as Mr Katsuji, John Glover as Daniel Clamp, and Robert Picardo as Frank – his chief of security.
There are also some fun cameos from Hulk Hogan, John Astin, Julia Sweeney and Leonard Maltin.
Breakdown
A fun sequel, that is brilliantly satirical, with the rich land developer who even has a building named after him (Clamp Tower), and self aware enough to cast a film critic who shat on the first film to play himself.
There are improved jokes, and special effects – with Gizmo seen in ‘full frame’ and is more physical than we got in #1. There are also many great movie references, poking fun at many of the popular movies of – not just the 80’s – but cinema history (Rambo, Batman, Dracula and wizard of Oz).
I loved the Warner Bros bookend cartoon moments with Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck, as well as the cameo by ‘actual’ film critic Leonard Maltin, playing himself apologising for his poor review of the first film. He gave the first film 2/4 and this one 3/4. This along with Hulk Hogan’s cameo, makes the film very self aware – and meta before meta was even a thing.
The ‘villains’ which are of course the Gremlins are quite more frightening here (like the spider gremlin), and the addition of the Brain Gremlin (voiced by Tony Randall) is fun – and gives the “how did i get here” downtrodden ‘Grampa Fred’ a well written character arc.
I didn’t feel the need for the trademark Asian character who loves cameras, nor did I buy that Billy could find Gizmo quite so soon into the film.
Overall
Fun enough sequel, with some good effects. a slightly weaker narrative, but its self awareness makes it a fun ride!
Billy and Kate become almost secondary cast members with more focus on the Gremlins (which are more fun and scary this time around too!)
Some aged jokes probably wouldn’t fly in 2025.
3.5/5
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