Gremlords

Since I'm such a fan of Gremlins, the title of Gremloids immediately spoke out to me. But I then quickly learned that Gremloids isn't about little green creatures, hopefully a spoof of some kind, but it's actually another spoof of the Star Wars franchise. And like another Star Wars spoof, Spaceballs, this also delivers some laughs. But no way as consistent as Spaceballs, though it does try. It's an incredibly cheesy film, that only true lovers of cheese will probably eat right up. I personally thought the movie started off much better than how it concluded. Though I did find the ending funny. I'm a sucker for that silly hillbilly schtick. Anyways, Gremloids is a must see for any Star Wars completists out there and for anyone who loves the cheesy side of film. Plus you get a young Chris Elliot playing an inexperienced scientist. Not bad, not bad at all.

Lord Buckethead (yes, he really does have a bucket on his head) goes on a rampage in small-town America as he and his handful of little helpers are on the lookout for "the princess and the secret transmissions". But apparently they've landed on the wrong planet ! What follows is a rare and surprisingly funny spoof on the "Star Wars"-trilogy. Buckethead, the Darth Vader of this story looks like something out of a Monty Python-picture as he roams the countryside. It's not always on target but when it is, the humour is so innovative, crazy and refreshing that with the low budget in mind one can't help feeling very impressed over Todd Durham's piece of work.

This film is bar far the best Star Wars spoof.

Why? Because it's played completely straight through-out. It is very low budget (which adds to the appeal) but the actors are all spot on.

It's vital to have a knowledge of Star Wars, generic 50s/60s Sci-Fi B movies and Monty Python.

The plot is basically that Lord Buckethead, through a slight error whilst chasing the Princess who's stolen some secret transmissions, ends up on Earth convinced that the Princess is somewhere in small town USA. Strangely the locals are none the wiser.

The film reaches its climax with Lord Buckethead chasing the two heroes and a large scale battle between the Army and Lord Buckhead's spaceship with it's Death Ray.

Best line - "Seize the fritters!"

My friends and I saw this film on video here in England where it is titled 'Gremloids'. I have to say that much of the plot and the jokes are just appalling beyond belief, painfully, cringe-inducingly so. However, whenever 'Lord Buckethead' is on screen the film becomes so painfully, achingly, funny that I can forgive anything. His scenes are not only brilliantly written but performed with such a flare that one might not be exaggerating too much to call it comic genius in the Monty Python / Peter Sellers tradition. Added to that is one of the most hilariously appalling special effects sequences ever - a flying shopping trolley chase in a supermarket that would have been more convincing if the makers had used plasticine - and you have a sporadically brilliant movie that I'm going to give 10 out of 10 just for the hell of it!

Some films become part of your life, they provide a vocabulary, inform your life, prevent you from going into business. This is one of the greats. It doesn't have to be defended, No excuses need to be offered. This is a superlative film.

The father of those kids is one of the greatest fathers. He's an every man. Someone we can all relate to.

The pest control hero who wants to get into management. That is a hero indeed, reluctant, but eventually pulls his weight.

The girl at the garage. She is lovely, a little hoarse, but quick-witted and spirited.

The UFO expert is enthused and informed. He is up against it with the local radio audience, but he has right on his side.

The couple that runs the bakery. They don't panic easily. I could taste one of those fritters now.

The car chase. One of the ten best in films.

The villain. Another great. Much better than john Travolta in the Punisher.

The funeral for the cow is a touching surprise in an all-action film.

The evocation of the simple pleasures of country life such as night fishing will always be with me.

The reference to King Lear as a man who takes crazy risks.