Critters: A Four Course Feast! – Arrow

Welcome Blu-ray collection of the 80s/90s creature features starring the sharp toothed outer space furballs. Big hits of the VHS era (especially the first two instalments) and featuring early appearances/helping launch the careers of the likes of Stephen Herek, Billy Zane, Mick Garris, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angela Bassett, the films have never looked better here and are a treat for sci-fi monster B-movie loving cinephiles.

Critters

Directed by: Stephen Herek
Written by:  Stephen Herek, Dominic Muir, Don Opper
Starring: Dee Wallace, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Green Bush, Scott Grimes, Don Opper, Billy Zane, Terrance Mann
Year: 1986
Country: US
Running time: 86mins
BBFC Classification: 15

Creature classic that kicked off the franchise and came at the height of when the likes of Gremlins and Ghoulies were no doubt doing big business on the big and small screens, Critters is an absolute blast and holds up to this day with its infectious mix of creature action, comedy, and old school puppetry.

The deadly Krites (or Critters!) escape their penal colony asteroid in the far reaches of space and high tail it through the galaxy to nearest place with food: Earth. Hot on their tail are two shapeshifting galactic bounty hunters, tasked with finding the Krites and destroying them once and for all. They crash land the in the small town of Grover’s Bend, Kansas with the pesky critters taking up residence on the Brown family farm. Chaos, and hilarity, ensues as the evil aliens attempt to eat everything in sight (including the Browns!) while the bodyguards try to obliterate everything in sight struggling to locate the Critters!

Fast, furry, fun, Critters is a B-movie done with a budget and zips along on charm, chuckles, and chaotic action. The fuzzy constantly gnashing critters are fantastically brought to life by the Chiodo Brother (Killer Klowns from Outer Space), as hilarious as they are dangerous. The flick walks a finely balanced line between comedy, gore, and explosive action thanks to the deft hand of future Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure helmer, Stephen Herek.

Proceedings wisely build to the critters reveal (but then enjoyably utilises them frequently) and while proceedings are mainly played straight there’s plenty of levity to balance out all the craziness. The shapeshifting bounty hunters provide plenty of fish-out-of-water escapades, the translation of the critters speak is a hoot, and the filmmakers wisely make us care (and get to know the family) before all the critter carnage erupts.

Certainly of its time, Critters is nonetheless a stellar creature feature with still awesome special effects, has various nods to sci-fi classics (War of the Worlds, Invaders from Mars), and has its finger firmly on fun.

SPEACIAL FEATURES

Brand new audio commentary by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain  – this commentary is with the fellas from The Schlock Pit who are joined by screenwriter Shane Bitterling. Insightful as always, the lads and Bitterling shed light on how the sadly passed Muir (screenwriter on Critters) didn’t quite reap the benefits of the film’s success like many of the others involved did, and how his friendship and working relationship unfortunately soured with one-time collaborative partner and director Stephen Herek. Bitterling gives lots of insight into Muir’s life and career as well as the making of Critters and while things sometimes veer a bit too much into Full Moon/Charles Band territory (Muir having done a lot of writing for the one-man production house), the three give warm and interesting insight into the world of 80s B-movie filmmaking.
• Audio Commentary with producer Barry Opper and star Don Opper
• Audio Commentary with Critter designers Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo and Stephen Chiodo
• They Bite!: The Making of Critters documentary – fantastic almost feature length doc on the making of the film that covers pretty much every facet of the production and with many of the principle cast and crew contributing. There’s also an archival interview with writer Brian Dominic Muir which sees him talking fondly of the movie, as do many of the other interviewees. There are some great anecdotes from star Dee Wallace, producer Barry Opper, and the special effects team the Chiodo Brothers: along with some great BTS footage and cut gore scenes that were removed to ensure the film was PG-13. It’s a shame there’s no contribution from director Stephen Herek and star Scott Grimes but nevertheless this is a great insight into the making of an 80s creature classic.
• For Brian: A Tribute to Screenwriter Brian Domonic Muir featurette – touching tribute to screenwriter and author Dominic Muir, who would go on to write several films for the illustrious Charles Band and the English translations for Jet Li vehicles such as High Risk and Hitman. Fellow screenwriters and genre stalwarts, including C. Courtney Joyner (Prison, Class of 1999), Thomas Callaway (DP on Critter 3 & 4, Night of the Scarecrow) Shane Bitterling (Puppet Master X) reminisce about Muir’s time in the business, his zest for life, and all things writing. There’s lots of funny anecdotes about Muir and working in the movie business and they were all obviously very close making it somewhat bittersweet
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage – awesome 10 minutes or so (without commentary) of test footage and actual set footage of the critter puppets being tested and filmed. Cool little time capsule of how they used to do in-camera animatronic effects.
• Alternate Ending – cool alt ending that isn’t vastly different than the original other than the Bown’s house isn’t magically restored (via groovy special effects) this time around as it in the theatrical cut. In fact, it’s a bit more of a downer as the family are now homeless!
• Theatrical Trailer – ace old school trailer that sells the film well and makes it look like a barrel of fun (which it is!), though does spoil a lot of the creature action bits and massive explosions!
• TV Spots – fun retro spots, the kind we don’t get these days!
• Image Gallery – nice mix of various promo pics, posters, and behind the scenes snaps.

Critters 2

Directed by: Mick Garris
Written by:  Mick Garris, David Twohy
Starring: Scott Grimes, Don Opper, Terrance Mann, Cynthia Garris
Year: 1988
Country: US
Running time: 86mins
BBFC Classification: 15

Two years after the original, Critters 2 rolled out with a chunk of returning cast, a bigger budget, and a new director in the form of horror ace Mick Garris.

Bigger, slicker, and packed with even more critters, the action returns to Grover’s Bend where the events of the original film are now basically hushed up/hearsay. The Browns have now moved to Kansas City, but youngest Brad (a returning Scott Grimes) is heading back to The Bend for Easter weekend to see his grandma. Out in space bounty hunters Ug (Terance Mann) and Lee are joined by Charlie (Don Opper) from the first film (now a bounty hunter in training) when they’re alerted to critter activity once again on Earth. It seems the Krites left behind a stash of eggs and they’re about to hatch just in time to cause havoc at the annual Grover’s Bend Easter egg hunt!

Tongue even further in cheek compared to the first instalment, Critters 2 ramps up the comedy and dials down the horror, but still packs in loads of rampaging critter action. The bigger budget allows for more critter action expanded across the whole town of Grover’s Bend. The first film was much more of a siege film with most of the action taking place on the besieged Brown’s farm with just a few scenes set in town. Here, the whole town is under attack and there’s a multitude of characters getting attacked by evil outer space porcupines. There’s less tension this time around and depending on whether you favour comedy over horror the sequel either tops the original or is a paler retread of the first.

While this reviewer prefers the first, the second instalment is still great fun thanks to Garris’ assured hand and some barnstorming comedy infused set-pieces: a poor easter bunny getting attacked by the Krites, the critters rolling out convoy style, and the pesky like aliens bowling people down like they’re skittles at a bowling alley! There’s some great critter action and gags, including the infamous giant critter ball which really holds up today as a great practical effect. The cast are game as well managing an entertaining balance of silly and seriousness.

A great sequel and continuation of the original Critters and one of the best (if not the best!) comedy creature feature set at Easter!

SPEACIAL FEATURES

Brand new audio commentary by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain
• Audio Commentary with director Mick Garris – fantastic commentary where Garris (talking to Michael Felsher) gives in-depth insight into his career, filmmaking experiences, and the making of Critters 2. He’s nothing but enthusiastic about the film and it’s making talking about everything from how he got the gig, to how involved David Twohy (Pitch Black, Below) was involved in the script, to the effects: all the while dropping endless anecdotes about the film and pointing out cameos! It does cover a lot that is discussed in the making of doc but if commentaries are your thing Garris is one of the best to listen to.
• Audio Commentary with Critters designers Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo and Stephen Chiodo
• The Main Course: The Making of Critters 2 documentary – another excellent hour long (archival) documentary taking an in depth look at the making of the film. Producer Barry Opper and special effects ace The Chiodo Brothers are back on hand to take us through the making and are joined by director Mick Garris. A horror icon in his own right (Sleepwalkers, The Stand), Critters 2 was Garris’ first directorial feature, and he talks fondly of the experience, and his crew, and how they overcame the obstacles of making an effects laden film with a limited budget. There’s also great contributions form Lin Shaye, leading lady Liane Curtis and additional effects ace R. Christopher Biggs (Ghoulies, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3). Just an all-round great making off with an enthusiastic cast and crew (mercifully nobody slagging off the film like it’s beneath them!), with some great behind the scenes footage of how they staged all the monster effects.
• Behind the Scenes Footage – cool behind the scenes effects footage (some of which was seen in the doc) showing how the practical effects were achieved. Particularly interesting in seeing the variations of the giant critter ball that were created and used to achieve the effect. Great stuff, though it would have also been cool to see some of the cast at work behind the scenes.
• Additional TV Scenes – alternative, extended, and cut scenes from the theatrical version that were included in the US TV broadcast of the film. Scratchy VHS quality but still cool to see the extended takes and couple of additional scenes that really should have stayed in.
• Theatrical Trailer – fun trailer that thankfully doesn’t spoil all the surprises this time!
• TV Spot – fast and fun trailer that we used to get a lot of on TV back in the day. You just don’t see TV spots promoting movies much anymore, which is a shame.
• Image Gallery – nice mix of various posters, stills, and promo material from the time of the film’s release.

Critters 3

Directed by: Kristine Peterson
Written by: David J. Schow, Barry Opper, Rupert Harvey
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Don Opper, Aimee Brooks, Terrance Mann
Year: 1991
Country: US
Running time: 86mins
BBFC Classification: 12

Critters 2 was unfortunately deemed a flop upon its theatrical release (though I believe did big business on video) that by the time the third part got off the ground the budget had been reduced considerably. There was still interest in the pesky Krites but New Line (the studio behind the franchise) gave a much smaller budget for what was essentially written as one big film and then cut in two.

That first part was Critters 3 and sees the bothersome space porcupines relocated out of Grovers Bend and transported to the big city when they inadvertently stowaway in a returning from vacation family’s RV. Said family reside in a soon to be closing apartment block and the nippy Krites smuggle themselves in and take up residence. It’s then not long before they’re rolling around the hallways and air vents looking to chomp on their new neighbours and, much like the first film, proceedings develop into a siege flick as the residences try to survive the invasion of critters.

While a little scrappier and lower of budget that the first two instalments, Critters 3 is never wanting for creativity, fun, and critter action. Deftly helmed by Krisitne Peterson (Body Chemistry, Lower Level), Critters 3 overcomes budget restraints delivering as much bang for its buck as it can. The single setting location helps ramp up the tension and the Chiodo Brothers once again unleash a surfeit of cool critter effects that bely the budget. The little Krites are front can centre come the second half and have probably never looked as good (or been as funny) as they have here.

It also helps that’s there’s a great cast of characters to root for including Aimee Brooks’ heroine and yep, a movie debuting Leonardo DiCaprio. Also mention should go to Geffery Blake’s excellent performance as the skeezy maintenance man: a fun but deplorable character who you can’t wait to see get his comeuppance.

Unfairly maligned sequel, Critters 3 is an old school practical effects hoot and (yep) the best since the original.

SPEACIAL FEATURES

Brand new audio commentary by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain – another fact packed commentary from the Schlock Pit duo. Wain is definitely more of a fan of the films than Budrewicz but their enthusiasm and knowledge of all things B-movie (some great stuff about Kristine Peterson’s directorial career, insight into how New Line Cinema became a renowned franchise studio, more facts and stats than your brain can probably handle!) is infectious. Also great to hear them giving major props to Critters 3, a sequel that has been unfairly dumped on in the past. Good stuff.
• Audio Commentary with producer Barry Opper and star Don Opper
• You Are What They Eat: The Making of Critters 3 featurette – another great archival albeit shorter look at the making of the film. Producer Barry Opper, DP Thomas Callaway, and critter corallers Chiodo Brothers are back to give plenty of insight along with screenwriter David J. Schow (who would go on to co-write The Crow). It would of been nice to hear from director Kristine Peterson (and no, DiCaprio doesn’t contribute either!) but once again there are some great anecdotes about the making of this film and how they shot it back-to back with Critters 4.
• Trailer – another fun old school trailer.
• Promo – longer trailer promoting the film’s video release, also highlighting that Critters 1 & 2 were also still available to rent at the same time!
• Image Gallery – lots of cool behind the scenes shots of the critter puppets in action.

Critters 4

Directed by: Rupert Harvey
Written by: Joseph Lyle, David J. Schow, Barry Opper, Rupert Harvey
Starring: Don Opper Terrance Mann, Angela Bassett, Brad Dourif, Anders Hove
Year: 1992
Country: US
Running time: 87mins
BBFC Classification: 15

Picking up immediately after the conclusion of Critters 3, Part 4 sees Charlie (Don Opper) thrust into deep space tasked with transporting the last remaining critter eggs for preservation. Frozen in cryo, he’s awakened over 50 years later when a salvage spaceship and its crew rescue him and the Krites from hibernation hoping to score big with a reward for their find. Tasked with rendezvousing at a remote space station to hand off their cargo, it’s not long before the bothersome Krites hatch and start causing trouble for the crew in the outer reaches of space.

Running on fumes both budget and Krites wise, Critters 4 is nevertheless a fun last entry in the original run of Critters flicks (before the belated TV-Movie follow up, Critter Attack!), that sees Opper’s Charlie now front and centre with a group of unlucky humans doing battle with the furballs in outer space. The interstellar setting is a nice change of pace and while there is less Krite action this time around (budget constraints restricting the space furballs to pretty much only two this time around!) the flick is nevertheless a solid stuck-in-a-space-station-with-deadly-aliens B-flick.

While the critters may be minimal this time around the effects are still great and the likes of Basset, Dourif, and Subspecies alum Hove bring a touch of seriousness/gravitas to proceedings. Sure it’s all a bit schlocky and the Krites still have a bit of silly banter, but the tone is a bit more serious and darker this time around working as a sort of cheapjack Alien knock off. There are a few nasty moments of the Krites causing gory bother and the cast take proceedings just seriously enough to imbue proceedings with a bit of tension.

It may smack of using up the money they had to squeeze out one more Critter feature, but this is still a fun entry that goes in a different direction (and despite what you may have heard on the internet!) is an entertaining entry in the space furballs franchise.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Brand new audio commentary by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain – another fun commentary with the B-movie loving duo who wax lyrical about all things low budget and connect the dots with how filmmakers and crew members on Critters 4 would cross paths/go on to work with other B-movie stalwarts of the time the 80s/90s being one big B-movie family. Critters 3 & 4 are obviously the two in the franchise they favour but its great to hear them talk favourably of two B-movie gems (there wealth of knowledge is endless and fascinating) that most of the cinephile hierarchy would no doubt not give the time of day to.
  • Audio Commentary with producer/director Rupert Harvey – insightful archival commentary from one time New Line producer (here turned director) Harvey (talking to Michael Felsher) who gives a wealth of knowledge about his career (how he started out on Corman’s ace Galaxy of Terror), his involvement in the Nightmare on Elm Street series, how he got involved with the Critters franchise, and what is was like working with Basset and Dourif on Critters 4. It takes a long while to get to talking about Critters 4, this coming off more like a podcast episode rather than a commentary about a single film but is nevertheless fascinating stuff especially when he gets to talking about what it was like filming Critters 3 & 4 back-to-back on such a tight budget.
  • Space Madness: The Making of Critters 4 featurette – similar to the previous making-ofs, producer Barry Opper, DP Thomas Callaway, the Chiodo Bros, and star Don Opper talk about the filming of Critters 4 and how it coincided with the filming of Critters 3. Short and sweet this time around (about 20 mins) it’s still fascinating stuff including how producer/director Rupert Harvey wanted to make a much more “serious” critter film this time, how the Chiodo Brothers had little time and money (handing the reign of the bulk of the effects over to their team), and what it was like to work with the likes of Angela Bassett and Brad Dourif (who unfortunately don’t contribute). Not as extensive as the other making of docs but still fascinating stuff.
  • Trailer – fun trailer but again shows a lot of the critter action so don’t watch before viewing the movie.
  • Image Gallery – series of pics mainly showing effects shots of the various critter puppets behind the scenes.

4-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all four films
• Original lossless stereo 2.0 and 5.1 audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• 60-page hardbound collectors book featuring new writing on the films by screenwriter Shane Bitterling and film critics Meagan Navarro and Heather Wixson, plus select archival material
• Double-sided fold out posters for all four films
• Limited edition packaging with newly commissioned artwork by Pye Parr
• Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Pye Parr

Great series of old school creature features that look fantastic in this new Blu Ray upgrade, packaged with some stellar extras and commentaries (apologies, didn’t get time to listen to/review them all!). Certainly of their time, these original four features in the franchise provide some great old school monster entertainment. Many seem to favour Part 2 as the best and while I love it (and Parts 3 & 4 are ace and endlessly re-watchable!) I may be in the minority, but the original is the best to me: right mix of 80s kitsch, old school creature effects, and bombastic action). From a time when even B-movies made you care about the characters before delivering all the monster gore action, the Critters franchise is an unsung hero of 80’s high concept fun.

Arrow will release Critters on Blu-ray 2^nd December 2024

Where to watch Critters