Ferbie's Gone Wild!

Rating: 6/10 (28 September 2015)

It took me forever to finally watch this 1984 cult-classic comedy/horror. The only thing I knew before viewing this film was that it included these "ferbie"-like creatures and that something happens to when you add water to them. Little did I know that these cuddly weird beasts can morph into something grotesque. - Well, not really - I believe they mention that "these" are the true GREMLINS.
Now, the story begins with a father (Hoyt Axton; great performer), an inventor, comes across "mogwai", a little furry, two-legged creature with ears like a bat, and decides that it is the perfect Christmas gift for his (17+ year old) son, Billy (played by the very UNTALANTED, Zach Galligan).
The situation takes a turn for the worst after Billy becomes more attached to his new PET-best friend who is now named Gizmo CREDITS by his father) who begins procreating more clones of himself after an accidental spill of water on Billy's desk. This is around the time when little Cory Feldman comes into the picture. // **As time progresses, we find out the true meaning behind these BRUTES and what purpose lies ahead of them.
***I found the ACTING in this film a bit campy and childish (amateur), as if it actually were made for kids. The only good acting jobs I see are done by Hoyt Axton, who I have already mentioned, and our lead damsel in distress, Phoebe Cates (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982), who plays Kate Beringer, Billy's love interest. Other then that, I was not impressed.
***What did grab my attention was the SET DISGN!! Oh man! for an 80s (Holiday) flick, this project really created a sense of style. I mean, with all the X-Mas lights and the changing from cloudy-green grass to snow-weather, it is ALLURING. +++ PLUS, the animatronics they (must have) used to design the gremlins was, still for this time (2015), really well done. I do give props to the guys who help design those suckers.
I give this horror-com/VERY CHEESY movie a 6 out of 10 on IMDb. It did satisfy my needs, but I really did not think it was worth it too much to see. I could have lived without it; regardless I am very happy that I have finally embarked upon it and know what all the hype was about.
-- Michael Mendez