Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

 Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a decent movie, if just barely. There is lots of zany gags. How many of them you find funny is ultimately up to you. Honestly, a sequel to the hit 1984 Gremlins was not totally necessary as I felt the first film ended on a great note. Warner Brothers took time to convince Joe Dante to return to the director’s chair, and he originally refused because he felt a sequel was not necessary. I find the main purpose as a cash grab and to sell merchandising for the franchise. Essentially, the film is a mediation and a parody about sequels. Like many sequels, this is a plotless endeavor especially when the gremlins show up. It is gag after gag after gag (yes, some of the gags are excellent). There is a terrifying scene that rivals if not exceeds the microwave scene from the 1984 film. Yes, make sure you keep paper shredders away from gremlins. The special effects are really cool. There is Brain Gremlin, voiced by Tony Randall, who belts out a nice rendition of “New York, New York.” Bat Gremlin is likewise cool watching him fly. There is even Lady Gremlin! Rick Baker is the genius behind the visuals of these Gremlins. He originally refused to work on the sequel, but he was ultimately convinced to do so. Despite being there lots to enjoy, I was underwhelmed because I felt the story was pointless. It suffers from sequelitis. I suppose it could have been worse.

I was originally confounded when the film opened up with a Looney Tune short. I thought I popped in the wrong disc in my DVD player. I like how Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck were incorporated into the Gremlins franchise. I am sure 1990 audiences were likewise baffled and thought they walked into the wrong movie. Dante said the purpose of bringing the Looney Tunes into the movie is to “set the anarchic tone.” Dante only returned to the movie after being promised complete creative control. He made the movie more personal and unconventional for a modern blockbuster. Charlie Haas created the screenplay with self-referential humor in mind as Dante satirized Gremlins and sequels in general. The studio was concerned when Haas moved the action to New York City, so he contained most of the action to the one high-rise building. The script was all over the place in terms of plot (or lack thereof) but Haas delivered a lighter tone. While the 1984 film was a dark comedy, this is easily more family friendly. I still see children becoming easily frightened by the Gremlins. At least my favorite Mogwai, Gizmo remains as cute as ever.

After the pandemonium that occurred in the small town of Kingston Falls during the first film, Billy (Zach Galligan) and Kate (Phoebe Cates) have moved to the Big Apple. They work for this money mogul whom one can describe as a cross between Donald Trump and Ted Turner named Daniel Clamp (John Glover). His building is super high…high enough where one would think an airplane would be in danger of a collision. He also owns cable networks and is richer beyond rich. His mission is to bulldoze the small shop in Chinatown where the very first Mogwai came from to build another tower. Yet when this happens, a bunch of Mogwais escape. I supposed I should remind y’all of the rules: (1) do not feed the Mogwai after midnight unless you want them to turn into the alien from Alien and (2) do not get them wet unless you want them to multiply. Between this and Gizmo falling to the hands of the evil Dr. Catheter (Christopher Lee), there will definitely be a gremlin problem.

Of course, it was great to see Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates return to their respective roles. That said, I was more interested in the supporting performances. Christopher Lee was clearly having a great time as the evil disease specialist. Whether it is comedy or drama, John Glover knows how to play a villain as evidenced here with his money-grubbing character. Then, there is Robert Prosky who plays Grandpa Fred, the host of one of Clamp’s creature programs. Do you know who may have the best performance…and is not even an actor? Film critic Leonard Maltin! He famously despised the first film, so there is a great gag where he is attacked by gremlins as he is delivering a negative review. I was howling at that scene.

Overall, your mileage may vary with Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Joe Dante turned the tone from a dark comedy/horror vibe to more of a satirical tone with many gags. Some work, some don’t. I found the script to be a letdown which is ironic considering how they are lampooning sequels in general. The human characters are interesting enough. The gremlin designs are fantastic. Jerry Goldsmith returned to this world to create another rousing score. In the end, the sequel was not necessary. It was just an excuse for Warner Brothers to get extra cash (and did not find as much financial success at the first film), an excuse that will become more and more evident as the years go by. But at least you can still be entertained here.

My Grade: B-