childhood fave

Rating: 7/10 (21 July 1999)

I had to wait 2 years and see this on cable after it came out, but I found out why my friends were hyping it so much. Late teens Billy gets a gift from dad at Christmastime, an adorable little "mogwai," a furry, barely bigger than you're hand creature. But oops Billy gets him wet and out pops several new mogwais, all just as cute. This new group is a bit more mischievious and coax Billy into feeding them after midnight. The dudes unaware that if you do that the little guys turn into ugly, destructive monsters. They get loose from the house and run amok downtown, thrashing a club, a movie theater, and many homes. Writer Chris Columbus interjects enough humor though to make them lovable villains, having them breakdance, sing Christams carols, and attend a screening of "Snow White." Its all a lot of fun, with a very memorable score, and even time to tug at your heart. And if you dont at least smile from Gizmos "bye, Billy," youre made of stone, man. You may as well be related to Mrs. Deagle. "Deagle, Deagle, Deagle!"