Critters 2

"CRITTERS 2: THE MAIN COURSE" (1988, Garris) is the direct sequel to "CRITTERS" (1986, Herek) and although it ramps up the Krite action it is too pastel-coloured and whimsical to outdo the original in dark humour and horror, despite Garris's aim to make it scarier than its predecessor.

The Krites, while more present and certainly more destructive, are not as well made as the original bunch that laid them. The damage they do, while farther reaching than in '86, is numbed by the nursery-wall colour scheme and rather weak score.

Good to see various cast members reprise their roles, great to see Krite puppets in droves, and a fun watch overall.

Critters 2 is a solid sequel. It's not as good as the original but only by a smidge. Mick Garris (Sleepwalkers) got his feet wet with this horror sequel and like any good sequel should do it expands the mythology and introduces us to some new elements. Although it's not as scary as the first this one is way funnier. And by focusing more on the humor it looses just a bit of luster. Our ginger hero from the original returns to his hometown to visit his grandmother for Easter and the leftover eggs hatch. Suddenly the little horrors attack the town and the bounty hunters return this time with Charlie and a new addition Leigh who continuously takes new forms but spends most of it's time as a playmate centerfold. But the problem gets way bigger as there numbers increase and a mega critter ball is formed. The movie is so fun with insane practical effects and a crazy, playful vibe due to Garris's confident and creative direction. All in all a wild ride.

Budget: $4m Box Office: $3.8m

3.75/5

Don't really understand why this movie is rated so much worse than the 1986 first movie. In all honesty I think this movie is even a tad bit better than the first one.

The Critters-movies never were any great ones but then again, they also never pretended that they were. The simply do deliver some campy fun and simple entertainment. It's true that perhaps it's a bit of a rip-off of the Gremlins movies but as far as these similar type of movies go, this is really not a bad attempt.

This movie is a real sequel, meaning that the story picks up were the last one had ended and the movie also stars some of the same actors in their roles. This time they gave the still young Scott Grimes some more space, being the only member of the original family in this movie, this time. Seems kind of right for these type of movies to have a young teenager in the main lead. It sort of keeps things always light, simple and pleasant to watch.

The effects had also obviously improved this time. Not only do the Critters look better but also all of the other visual effects for the movie. After all, this movie is above all things still a science-fiction movie. This did not only had to do with the improved techniques at the time but also with its budget, that was more than two times higher this time but still fairly low though for a movie within its genre.

There is not much to the story or anything else really but it simply is an entertaining movie to watch.

6/10

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Critters 2 both improves and falls short of the original. Though it gives the writers more freedom in imagination and the cute, little killer furballs and various ways to cause havoc it simply cannot escape the 'been there done that' factor that cripples most sequels.

Set 2 years after the first film, the people of Grover's Bend are shocked when Brad Brown comes home to visit his grandma. He was branded a liar and hoaxer and apparently no one believed his stories of the Krites and extra-terrestrial bounty hunters. Which is a little harsh considering they had several eaten humans and dead Krites as proof. And as soon as he returns, the Krite eggs seen at the very end of the first film begin to hatch and the feeding frenzy begins all over again on a bigger scale.

There's fun to be had in watching the critters go mental all over town. And the film could have been a four-starrer but there's a major lull at the end of the second act in which nothing happens and it really slows down. But the massive furball at the end is brilliant.

They really should have left the Critters movies after this and I wouldn't bother with 3 and 4. They're rubbish. Still the Krites are cute (I don't care what you say) and Brad's girlfriend is gorgeous too.

The DVD is in great looking 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. Some trailers are included.

Two years has passed... Brad Brown (Scott Grimes) is trying to move on by visiting his grand-mother (Herta Ware) for the easter holiday. The Bounty Hunters (Don Opper and Terrence Mann) are traveling back to Earth. Because the Critters were not completed destroyed. The Alien Eggs were not destroyed. Since Easter is coming, a small town somewhere in Kansas will discover that the Easter Holiday isn't everything.

Directed by Mick Garris (Pyscho 4:The Beginning, Sleepwalkers, The Stand) made an enjoyable sequel with better special effects and a bit more explicit violence. The film looks more like Joe Dante's Gremlins. This film was a box office disappointment. Critters 3 & 4 were direct to videos, because of the disappointment returns of Critters 2. The film also has likable performances by Tom Hodges, Liane (Alexandra) Curtis, Lin Shaye and Barry Corbin. Eddie Deezen (From Grease 1 and 2 Fame) has a bit part. Filmmaker:Tom Mc Loughlin (Friday the 13th Part 6-Jason Lives, Date with an Angel) has a cameo. Written by the director and David Thohy (The Arrival, Pitch Black). (*** ½/*****).