Critters 2

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

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

The Critters series consists of two first movies which are worth watching, and two last which are definitely _not_. Critters 2: The Main Course is certainly better as far as special effects go, but I'll be sentenced to eternal damnation if I know which one is better.

The action is still very lively, with necessary thrills and frills; the bounty hunters are back (you know Critters 3 failed because Ug&Lee were painfully absent and Charlie decked out); there's your average amount of mild gore and explosions. Brad seems to be blander than in the original, but his grandmother makes up for that.

The disadvantages of the film are pretty much few and far between. There's the usual mound of logical errors. The number of Crite eggs in the beginning is circa 12-20, mysteriously grows into some 50 when Brad's grandma purchases them, then, lo-and-behold, there's about a THOUSAND Crites in that giant rolling ball..... erm, on the cover that is. Charlie, however wearing state-of-the-art (no joke, I want one) leather space armor, HASN'T GOT A GUN. What's he supposed to do, choke the Critters with his flesh? Nobody ever thinks what species the [alien] eggs might belong to. Charlie and Brad are kinda overardorous over their meeting, since they barely knew each other in the original. And so on, and so forth. I'm not mentioning all, take a paper and pen and have some fun while watching.

Despite all this, I say this is a good choice for some people. I've read wayyyy too many coments in the style of "ohhh, this is SUCH crap I don't know why I've seen it...". Well, why did you? This is not a film that tries to be deep, this is pure entertainment for the youth, for the die-hard sf fans, and for the braindead. I liked it as a kid, I still like it (20 this June), and will show it to my kids for fun and enjoyment.

OVERALL ADVICE: you're a kid, you've got some spare time on your hands, watch it and have fun.

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

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/*****).

Two years after the first Krite attack on the Browns's farm, everything was peaceful in Grover's Bend but there are some remaining Krite Eggs still left and Brad Brown ( Scott Grimes) has traveled from Kansas City to visit his grandmother for Easter vacation. Soon the Eggs hatch as it makes trouble as the Krites has returned and the bounty hunters from space Ug ( Terrence Mann), Lee ( Roxanne Kernohan) and former town drunk turned bounty hunter Charlie ( Don Opper) head back to Earth, will they rescue the humans with the help of Brad or will everyone end up on the space monsters's menu?

Very entertaining and action packed sequel that is almost better than the original and THE only sequel in the series worth watching. What works here for this sequel is there's more action, bigger special effects, off-the-wall humor, a more intense and dramatic score, Mick Garris's directorial debut and of course there's a memorable moment where Lee the faceless bounty hunter from space looks at a Playboy magazine and transforms into a beautiful nude blonde centerfold babe played by B-movie beauty Roxanne Kernohan. Look for Eddie Deezen ( best known for Mandark on "Dexter's Lab" and Eugene from "Grease") as a restaurant manager and there's an amusing Freddy Krueger in-joke since the movie is from Freddy's home known as New Line Cinema.