*. “Starring Leonardo DiCaprio in his film debut.” So says the DVD box, making the most of this movie’s sole selling point. At least I can’t think of any other reason someone would be drawn to it.
*. Leo was 16 years old. Cary Elwes had been offered the part of Josh (“don’t call me Joshua”) but turned it down. I guess neither of them suffered any lasting effects to their careers from their decisions.
*. A star is born? It would take a keener eye for budding talent than I possess to have seen it. It’s not much of a part, and to be honest I don’t think he stands out in any way. Aimee Brooks as Annie totally outshines him. But there’s no telling how these things are going to go.
*. “You are what they eat.” I’ve mentioned the passing of a golden age of tag lines before. This one is pretty good.
*. There is little to detain us here. The basic idea wasn’t bad, with the Krites (nobody actually calls them Critters) hitching a ride from the sticks to the big city. Specifically a run-down apartment building run by Joshua’s mean step-father. The Critters proceed to terrorize the remaining residents of the building while engaging in the usual gremlin-style vandalism. The only returning character is Don Oppel’s Charlie, who again saves the day.
*. It’s hard to think of anything good to say. It’s a very cheap movie, and looks it. It’s not funny or scary. When the Critters run wild one of them drinks a bottle of dish soap and starts blowing bubbles. Another eats a whole pot of beans and begins to fart. That’s the level of the humour. There are no interesting twists like the giant Critterball at the end of Critters 2. Instead there’s just the usual stuff. They even throw in the old horror bit, which I think got started with Psycho, of coming up behind someone who’s seated in a chair, only to find out that they’re a corpse.
*. Shot simultaneously with Critters 4, which it leads directly into by way of a painfully protracted end-credit sequence that breaks off with “To be continued . . .” Could there have been anyone who cared?
Alex on Film 
But why are YOU drawn to critters? Why do YOU care? Why have you withdrawn from the world and retreated into a world of critters and bounty hunters? The world wants answers….
I’m only responding to readers’ demands. They wanted Critters so now they’re going to get them. Two more to go!
Plus you get Young Leo here!
I’m still trying to establish how this boxed set came into your possession….
A simple commercial transaction. I’m not some hotshot who gets all his boxed sets sent to him direct by the studios.
Oh, meow, saucer of milk for table 5! So you actually bought this; kudos to you, no-one is queueing up to buy Critters boxed sets for this critic, so your allegations of moral corruption and turpitude are unfounded. And if I was sent such a thing, I would share it…
I really need to tap into this payola income stream. Start giving everything a four-star review . . .
WHAT? Are you questioning my professional judgement and standards now? Each one of these Police Academy movies was a genuine 4 or 5 star review, hands down, no questions asked. And that money was only resting in my account, I made it very clear to the tax authorities. How much are the Critters paying you? I bet the Lep has been generous with his pot of gold to you!
I received one magic coin for the Leprechaun reviews, which has since gone missing. And have you reported your offshore earnings for pimping Police Academy? The Bitcoin payments?
I’m all about cash for crypto these days. Think the Lep screwed you over again, Alex! And I’ll be reporting you to the critics police for taking coins from the Lep! You’re in SO much trouble!
If they can find that coin they’re welcome to it. Everyone who tried to keep it died a horrible death.
The critics police have been auditing you for years, suspicious of the grade inflation in your reviews and fancy lifestyle, and seeing the two as not unrelated. How much does a pull quote for a DVD box cover go for these days anyway?
How much have you got? £50 for ‘amazing’, £100 for ‘a return to form’ and up to £200 for ‘the funniest film of the year so far.’ If you’ve got more cashola to burn, we can talk ‘an auditory, visual and philosophical revelation’ which is how I described Police Academy 8; Mission to Moscow….
Can you change your name too, to something more recognizable in a not-totally-misleading way. Roger Ebart? Mark Commode?
Who they? Local film journos in your backwater? Librarians?
So are you wanting a pull-quote or not, I’ve got a special this week on ‘a majestic valentine to the art of cinema itself’ would make a lovely gift….
*sigh* Timing is everything when it comes to pull quotes, as you should know in your business. I won’t be able to use a Valentine’s Day quote for another year. Unless you’re having a 75% off sale.
Ok, well, what are you in the market for?
“I don’t think anything can be said about this movie, and I know I’m not the one to even dare to say it, that Alex Good hasn’t already said better many times. A man among boys, a king among men, a god among kings, I defer to his refined judgement and encyclopedic learning in all things, not just cinematic.”
I don’t think anything can be said about this movie, and I know I’m not the only one to even dare to say that Alex Good is a danger to his own community. A boy among men, a loser among kings, a Lep among Critters, I will never defer to his skewiff judgement and half-baked learning in any things, not just cinematic…”
Where do I send my invoice?
Nope. You don’t get a copy of our home game. You don’t get a set of steak knives. You don’t get a sandwich maker. You don’t even get a banana.
Well, I can recommend a blog if you’re interested in large pics of kitchen objects…
You should subscribe and learn. There’s more to breakfast than just oatmeal, you know.
I do! And I’ve complained about the lack of new material.
Exactly! Brussels pate with caramelised shallots for one!
Bonjour Alex! Little Leo looks cute, but an ignominious movie debut I think. Blowing bubbles and farting doesn’t sound funny or scary, more like lame.
Little Leo is a-double-orable! I think he even gets hit by one of the narcotizing quills the Critters fire off and goes sleepy-bies. But yes, this is very lame.
Much like your blog. haha!
??
Let’s see that again in slow motion;
Fraggle…But yes, this is very lame.
10; Much like your blog!
Classic take-down! You got served!
But you’re not replying in the same thread. Your ripostes are misfiring wildly, lost in the void. *sigh* Someone needs to up their game.
Not my fault you can’t afford a pro blog, posterity will reveal these crushing burns…
Oh, *now* you’ve discovered the “reply” function. At least you’re learning something. I like to think of this blog as educational.
Your blog is educational. For 3 to 5 year early learning kids.
And yet, you are learning new stuff with every post.
Learning what a rank amateur your are, Bunty.