Gremlins

Dir: Joe Dante

1984

*****

Joe Dante's greatest ever achievement has to be.....The Howling. Gremlins, however, is the best film he's ever made and what he will be remembered for. It's a dark alternative Christmas movie with elements of horror, adventure and comedy. It's pure Joe Dante. Joe Dante is of course the chief successor, in my opinion, to the cartoonish B-movie horrors of the 1950s. A small all-American town terrorized by tiny little monsters is the stuff of cult brilliance, it's a 50's idea given an 80's twist. It's not all family friendly viewing however, it scared me as a child and thanks to graphic violence (Gremlin in the microwave) and depictions of horror (old lady thrown out of window) it was the film that made the motion picture association of America (MPAA) alter its rating system. Exactly the thing that appeals to kids, and it really did, so job well done. Dante's style can be explained by the people he gave cameo performances to; Steven Spielberg - creator of the Blockbuster, Jim McKrell - the classic game-show host, William Schallert - Cult TV star, Chuck Jones - Looney Tunes legend and Kenneth Tobey - 50's sci-fi regular. It's this combination of genres that make Gremlins so appealing, many have stated that Dante cashed in on the popular trend of comedy-horror at the time but I would argue that he was a pioneer of the idea and took it to the mainstream (Ghosterbusters being the other film to do so, both films being released in the same week). It can also be said though that Gremlins was the first winter/Christmas blockbuster. Many aspects of the film's script have entered every day vocabulary and even if you haven't seen the film, you'll know some of the details. My mum has never seen it but has often said I should never be watered or fed after midnight. I sure sign of a modern classic. I love the characters, love the puppetry, the humour and the overall magic the film has. My kind of Christmas movie.