Funny and delightfully twisted

Rating: 8/10 (10 August 1999)

Despite the cute exterior and fuzzy main character (Gizmo), this film is surprisingly subversive given that it was advertised as family fare. Sadistic mayhem ensues on Christmas eve: the little green monsters kill hapless denziens gleefully, the hero's mother splatters a few gremlins before being attacked brutally, the hero's girlfriend tells us how her father died-- falling down the chimney, breaking his neck while pretending to be santa (my god!)-- and finally a melting scene that would make any dracula envious. This is not a kids movie. There are corny moments but are instantly undercut by something sinister. Dante does well in the execution of the kinetic action, treating it like a live cartoon. Have fun with this nasty one!