Added footage and a new transfer will ensure many fans of Gremlins will think they are seeing the film for the first time!
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided us with a free copy of this Blu-ray/DVD that we reviewed in this blog post. The opinions we share are our own.
“Anyone who lived through the ‘80s experienced the magic of Gremlins. For everyone else, now is the time to see one of the decade’s defining movies, a wildly original blend of comedy and horror. When Billy (Zach Galligan) receives an adorable, mysterious pet named Gizmo for Christmas, he’s given three rules for its care. Inadvertently, he breaks the rules, and a resulting army of duplicate furballs wreaks havoc throughout the town in this endearing and enduring box-office hit.”
Joe Dante is one of my favorite directors, proficient at thrilling horror films such as Piranha and The Howling, and some of the most quirky and endearing comedies such as Inner Space, The ‘Burbs and Matinee. Although he has his name attached to some amazing projects, probably none of them is as universally loved and cherished by an entire generation than Gremlins.
Every child my age wanted a Mogwai as a pet, the cute and cuddly creatures with an adorable face that enjoy hanging out and watching TV with you as long as you took care to follow the three rules. Revisiting the film after so many years, it’s funny how many people look at this creature and have the most normal reaction, like looking at a kitten. Surely children are taught about or learn themselves about most kinds of creatures on this planet but aren’t phased in the slightest of this tiny creature who can repeat phrases back to you. Despite this little bit of odd acceptance, the film was just as fun as I remembered, as Joe Dante creates one of the most memorable film of the 80’s.
The point of view of a younger hero is prevalent in a lot of Dante’s films, as is the child-like wonderment of something fantastical that is usually shrugged off by adults. Much like his later film Small Soldiers, Gremlins explores this innocence through the eyes of Billy, a good-hearted young man who, like his father, can’t seem to catch a break. It’s a very simple plot that turns into a nightmare once Gizmo is exposed to water, unleashing onto the town something no one could possibly believe, and it’s up to Billy to save the day.
The practical effects still hold up, with a lot of sequences looking very impressive with the puppetry involved. Gizmo is able to convey so much emotion through the puppetry on his face, and the weird voice of Howie Mandel. The different types of Gremlins are also all fun to watch, with their unique traits that one wouldn’t think would be in a kid’s movie but nonetheless are hilarious, like the Flasher Gremlin.
As a children’s film, Gremlins has definitely stood the test of time and still remains a classic for children of this generation. Looking at it with fresh eyes today, it lacks quite a bit of story that I wish would have been explored. Namely the mythology of the Mogwai, perhaps some of Gizmo’s backstory, all that add mystery to the film but would have been so much fun to learn about. Once the Gremlins multiply and develop their own personalities, how do they know how to play poker? How do they know the song in Snow White? Silly questions, yes, but still something I never even thought to consider as a child.
Video
This Gremlins set is presented in 2160p 4k Ultra High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1. I was very excited to get this 4k release and see how this film looked after 35 years. Colors are much more vibrant, especially contrasted against the bright white snow the film largely takes place in. The picture does seem to be a great deal clearer, but this also seems to enhance the grain as well. With a large majority of the film taking place at night or in the dark thanks to rule number one, grain is much more prevalent and noticeable, but definitely not in every scene. Although some who may revisit the film quite often may be able to tell a marked difference, for me, I was hoping for something a bit more noticeable.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. This track sounds great, really not warranting a remix of Dolby Atmos like many 4k discs feature. Levels sound good, with a nice balance between the surrounds and center channel so there are no issues with hearing dialogue. The score sounds particularly exceptional, especially the well-known Gremlins theme.
Special Features
If the 4k upgrade isn’t worth it for an upgrade, the over 10 minutes of footage added to the film may be for fans. I could only identify two sequences easily that were different, so other die-hard fans may be able to see something new for the first time here.
Extras include:
- Over 10 Minutes of Footage Not Seen in Theaters
- Making-Of Featurette
- Two Commentaries
- Director Joe Dante, Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Dick Miller and Howie Mandel
- Director Joe Dante, Producer Michael Finnell and Special Effects Artist Chris Walas
- Photo/Storyboard Gallery
- Theatrical Trailers
Gremlins is just as entertaining today as it was 35 years ago, a true testament to the film, the special effects, writing and directing. Fans of the film will want to pick this one up for sure for the new transfer and added content.
