Gleeful anarchy

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2019)

A bunch of grotesque reptilian monsters wreak all kinds of crazy and destructive havoc in a heretofore sleepy small town around Christmastime. Director Joe Dante and screenwriter Chris Columbus use the premise to poke wickedly nasty, yet still hilarious and positively infectious fun at such worthy targets as schmaltzy Spielbergian/Disneyesque family fare, small town American life, the film medium and the way people watch movies (the definite gut-busting highlight with this particular aspect occurs with a gloriously raucous screening of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves"), traditional notions of heroism (the cops prove to be completely ineffectual in a crisis situation, so it's up to some ordinary working class guy to ultimately save the day), and the hokey sappiness of the yuletide season. Moreover, since we're talking Joe Dante here, naturally there are knowing winks and homages to many classic movies sprinkled throughout.
Zach Galligan makes for a likeable hero as average schmoe Billy, Phoebe Cates looks absolutely radiant and gets to relate an uproariously appalling story on why her character Kate hates Christmas, Polly Holiday has a field day as mean and greedy old bat Mrs. Deagle, Frances Lee McCain as Billy's feisty mom has a great sequence in which she fights back against the gremlins in her kitchen, and Dick Miller has one of his best roles as crusty Mr. Futterman. In addition, amongst the familiar faces in colorful small parts are Scotty Brady, Keye Luke, Harry Carey Jr., William Schallert, Belinda Balaski, Edward Andrews, and Kenneth Tobey. The practical special effects hold up remarkably well while Gizmo is simply adorable. Jerry Goldsmith's robust'n'wacky score hits the rousing spot. Nice polished cinematography by John Hora, too. An absolute blast.