Culture Magazine

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

By Newguy

logoDirector: Joe Dante

Writer: Charles S Haas (Screenplay) Chris Columbus (Characters)

Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Robert Picardo, Christopher Lee, Haviland Morris

 

Plot: The Gremlins are back, and this time, they’ve taken total control over the building of a media mogul.

 

Verdict: Over-The-Top Sequel

 

Story: After an unknown amount of time has gone past Billy and Kate have now moved to the Big Apple to further their careers. We end up having a chance encounter with Gizmo after his owner dies. We also have the same idea Gizmo gets wet and the evil gremlins come to life and run riot over a media town and its genetics lab. We are left to see if Billy can save the day again.

This is basically more of the same but only it seems to want to take the piss out of what the original did. It works when it comes to the genetic gremlins as we get a weird and gruesome creation. If you enjoyed the first one you would be left feeling almost empty after seeing this one as the story falls flat after the fun and enjoyment the first one gave us. (4/10)

 

Actor Review

 

Zach Galligan: Billy stuck in his dead-end job wait for a chance to get his promotion, Gizmo returning to his life puts everything at risk but he also gets a chance to prove himself to the boss. Average performance, that you really don’t notice him compared to the Gremlins. (6/10)

 

Phoebe Cates: Kate girlfriend of Billy who works as a tour guide at the media headquarters. She automatically has a bad feeling when Gizmo turns back up and joins the fight against the dreaded Gremlins. Doesn’t live up to the previous performance and struggles to make an impact. (5/10)

kate

John Glover: Daniel Clamp owner of Clamp Enterprise who really doesn’t know what he wants and is easily impressed. This is a typical clueless boss performance that is the only human character that is interesting in the film. (7/10)

 

clamp

Supporting Cast: Full of a range of characters who are trying to achieve self-goals during the Gremlins outbreak along with an old friend who gets to prove he was not insane after what happened in the first film. They all come together to fill in the moments and give the Gremlins an extra targets. (7/10)

Grandpa Fred

Grandpa Fred

 

Forster The Head of Security

Forster The Head of Security

 

Director Review: Joe Dante – After the first film and other films to his name you would expect better from Joe, this disappoints after what we had first time around. (5/10)

 

Comedy: This does actually end up having a few more laughs than the first one, but most cultural references. (7/10)

Horror: I actually think some of the Gremlin kills are more gruesome than the original but as for actual horror this loses its mojo. (6/10)

Settings: Having the most part of the film being set inside one building this does create a trapped isolated feeling throughout. (8/10)
Special Effects
: Great practical effects for the time that actually still looks better than some of the real effects being used now. (9/10)

Suggestion: If you liked the first one, I would expect you to like this one or get through, but I wouldn’t suggest watching this if you didn’t like the original or haven’t seen the original. (Try It)

 

Best Part: Rambo Gizmo

Worst Part: Needless breaking of the fourth wall.

Funniest Scene: Rambo Gizmo

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Nope

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $41 Million

Budget: $50 Million

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes

Tagline:  We warned you. Remember the rules. You didn’t listen.

 

Overall: Not a Strong Enough Sequel

Rating 

59


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