Gremlins (1984)

Gremlins is one of my favorite horror-comedies and Christmas films. Gremlins is funny, creepy, and still manages to be a little gory. It's an original creature feature concept that is yet to be matched. This film wasn't originally going to be a dark comedy; it was supposed to be a serious creature film. Its effects are wonderful and still hold up over 30 years later. Gremlins is a classic campy film that is enjoyable every time of year, but especially during the holidays. Also, Gizmo is the cutest thing ever to exist, and I wish he were real, and I could have him.

Set during Christmas, Billy's father, Randall, buys him a unique gift while in Chinatown on a business trip, a cute singing creature called a Mogwai. At first denied purchase by the shop owner, a young boy helps him sneakily purchase it. Upon buying it, the boy tells Randall three rules: don't expose it to bright lights, don't get it wet, and don't feed it after midnight. He gives it to his son and relays the rules. Billy quickly bonds with Gizmo, who likes to sing and be generally adorable. When Gizmo accidentally gets wet, five new Mogwai sprout. These Mogwai are less charming and more devious. Led by Stripe, they bully Gizmo, cause trouble, and eventually trick Billy into feeding them after midnight. Once they transform into creepy green gremlins, it's a race against the clock to stop the Mogwai from wreaking havoc all over town.

So this movie is wonderful. As I said before, it's funny while still managing to be dark and creepy. Its original concept is what caught Steven Spielberg's eye in the first place. The movie is well-acted for the time, I feel like the '80s wasn't the peak time for excellent acting, but it's acted well enough that the characters are believable and you invest in them. The effects are one of the main reasons why I love this movie. The puppetry is wonderful, and there's something about robust practical effects that are just so pleasing to me. As I said before, Gizmo is the cutest thing in the world, and when he's bullied, it sends me into a rage.

I recommend everyone watch the film; it's funny, scary, and original. The effects are fantastic and hold up so well over the years. It's a great holiday classic and also just a general good horror film. I don't have many bad things to say about this film, aside from the fact that it is a little dated. Other than that, I highly recommend it.

Netflix available: No

Hulu available: No

Xfinity available: Yes

Amazon Prime available: No

Rating: 4/5