Critters: A New Binge

"Critters" was always a favorite of mine growing up and I still love it today. "Critters 2" was also enjoyable, 3 was fun for the DiCaprio introduction and 4, eh.

So it makes sense this would be suspect.

I'll compliment sandwich this: I actually think the acting overall was fairly decent, obviously overacted and hokey at times, but it seems intended in those moments.

Most of the effects are very amateurish with a do-it-at-home feel. This is my only real gripe, but something I got over once I accepted that this is just what it is.

Back to the good, I actually really enjoyed the expanded Crite personalities. Maybe a little on the "Gremlins 2" side of things and definitely on the lowbrow side of things. There were no humor barriers broken, but I found it to be good mindless fun.

I watched all the episodes in a row, but the episodic format was probably a good idea, I could see most people tolerating this is smaller bite-sized chunks as opposed to a full movie.

I enjoyed the ridiculousness of these episodes. Though I get it if long time Critters fans object.

This was an amazingly great find on Shudder when it was available. Otherwise, it can be difficult to track down on streaming sites. It takes up after the original series was made and follows a family who is affected by the invading presence of the Critters. The acting by Joey Morgan, Thomas Lennon, and Gilbert Gottfried is a delight to watch during the series. It is hilarious and a wonderful casting selection that pushes as though in ode to the originals while still being groundbreaking in its own right. I haven't seen as funny of a horror series since Ash Versus the Evil Dead. The puppeteering for the Critters monsters was as sloppy as always, which makes it even more fun. Not high on scares, but one of the greatest comedy horror series, nonetheless. It's almost as good as the original Gremlins, but a little hokier.

"CRITTERS: A NEW BINGE" (2019, Rubin) is the Critters franchise's first series (although it amounts to a 69 minute run time) and the franchise's most zany, off-the-wall, action packed effort.

There is a lot of CGI in this but it adds to the hilarity and the Critter puppets are operated with that soulful spirit that drove the original four films; there are also copious amounts of them and their dialogue is gleefully entertaining.

The cast were all unexpectedly competent, the writing and directing effective, the music fitting, and the ending was direct and emotional.

I for one am happy to return to the Critters dining table after starving these past 27 years. If "CRITTERS" (1986, Herek) was the appetiser, "CRITTERS 2: THE MAIN COURSE" (1988, Garris) was what it said it was, "CRITTERS 3" (1991, Peterson) was a delicious dessert, and "CRITTERS 4" (1992, Harvey) was the brandy digestif, then "CRITTERS: A NEW BINGE" is a fun after dinner game, followed by the trip to the toilet that is "CRITTERS ATTACK!" (2019, Miller) (not in a terrible way, in a making room for more kind of way.).

I really enjoyed this. The gore is way less and I think even a child could watch this without getting even a bit scared (when I first watched Critters, I was very young and it really scared me).

Innocent fun and a nice homage to a great film classic.

I love the Critters films. Fun, cheesey, scifi film at their finest...with the exception of Critters 4 which I hated. I felt the Critters deserved a better final installment and I had hoped this would be it. Unfortunatly......

Critters: A New Binge suffers from the same problems as Critters 4. With even the lead charecters being extreamly unlikable and everyone else being very annoying. As well as a "twist" that can be predicted after 3 of the 8 ten minute episodes. The writing was incredibly flat and uneventful except for the last 3 episodes. Which still felt under developed due to the 10 minute episode runtime.

And while the critters themselves are still as lovably silly and evil as ever and Im glad they stayed with puppets and practical effects for the critters the digital elements elsewhere look awful in comparison. I know that was likley a matter of the show's low budget. But even so.

Overall. If the show had better writing behind it and not bet its success souly on the critters name. If they had been able to produce full 20-30 minute episodes to let story elements develop properly. This could have been a great installment in the franchise. And a far better finale then the terrible Critters 4. But as it stands. Its just as bad. If not worse.

I prey that the Critters get a proper revival someday. But this isnt it.