Critters 2 (1988)

 

Bizarre as it may sound, back in the day even lower budgeted films that didn't make a ton of money sometimes got a sequel. And in some cases the sequel even surpassed the original. There is nothing wrong with the first 'Critters'. It kept things on a rather small scale but it was highly enjoyable on the 'little creatures run amuck'-scale. For the follow-up, they seriously upped the ante and tried something slightly different and it pays off. You cold argue that this one feels more like a brother to 'Gremlins' than the first one, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

Two years after the events in Grover's Bend, it turns out that the original Crites left behind some eggs of theirs in hibernation. The bounty hunters are made aware of this and head back to Earth. Meanwhile, our young protagonist of the first film Bradley, is coming back to town to visit his grandmother for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

Yes, you can see coming what will happen.

Someone of course discovers the eggs and sells them off to be used as decoration, but as soon as they come into contact with heat, they hatch and now the town has a veritable infestation on their hands. 

The only thing I never quite got, was how there could be so many Crites from so few eggs, but maybe they double like cells do. It is never explained, but it doesn't matter all that much. 

Whereas the town never believed Bradley and his family, as it all happened outside their comfort zone, they now have no choice but to try and hold off the furry fanged fiends before they devour everything and everyone in their path. 

Is this is worthy follow-up to the first one? Absolutely. I'd even wager this one is the best one in the entire series, for several reasons. First off, there clearly was a bigger budget this time around, which is especially noticeable in the Crites puppets. There are a lot more, they are more varied and they are able to do a lot more. Also, even though the first film had its funny moments, this one really goes more for the comedy angle. Some of the violence is downright cartoony and it is glorious. 

Sure, the 'small town under siege' is enormously referential to 'Gremlins', but they had to cope with that comparison anyway, so they just went all out for it. 

What is also fun, is to see some of the cast from the previous film return (especially our young lead Scott Grimes), but they also pulled in some recognisable faces like Sam Anderson, whom you'll instantly recognise from a plethora of films and series. Everyone is in on it and they seem to be having a blast. 

There is also a running gag with one of the bounty hunters who is unable to keep the same face. All seems to go okay as soon as he morphs into a Playboy Playmate, but after that, Charlie (a returning Don Opper) is trying his darndest to keep the bounty hunter looking like this and it doesn't always work. Also notice that the first time he morphs into this buxom blonde based on the centerfold, she also has a staple inserted in her stomach. It's those little things that make it all feel so much more fun.

Unfortunately this actress passed away when she was merely 32 years old. 

If you are at all into creatures going berserk and silly gags (but not flat out comedy), this is really up your alley. 'Critters 2' is fast, furious and furry and fits finely for fans of the fiends. 

And you'll never forget the massive furball of death. Trust me.