Gremlins (1984) review

I can imagine someone pitching this to a studio executive as, “Imagine an Ewok and a Xenomorph combined together with what would later feel like Jurassic Park DNA.” Gizmo has that ridiculously adorable creature appeal, while the Gremlins themselves gradually transform the movie into chaotic creature horror. Spielberg being an executive producer is very apparent here. It has that Amblin feeling where something fantastical enters an ordinary suburban American life. There is childlike wonder with Gizmo, but underneath that is genuine danger and horror. It knows how to balance something cute and magical with something that can suddenly become chaotic and terrifying. This still holds up against the test of time. I watched this when I was a kid, and I still get the same feelings from it: fun and fear. Decades later, I still get that exact same feeling. Except this time, I’m watching it with my own kid, which makes the experience come full circle. The creature work and puppeteering are top notch. Even decades later, having these creatures physically exist in the frame gives them so much personality and presence.