Carnivorous aliens who feed on human flesh invade Earth. Starring Dee Wallace-Stone and M. Emmet Walsh. Year: 1986 Director: Stephen Herek Starring: Dee Wallace-Stone, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Green Bush
James B. (wandersoul73) from LINDALE, TX Reviewed on 6/22/2009...
Man, these angry balls are super hungry!
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Weird, imaginative nonsense.
Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 02/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Krites are the critters. They are nasty little hedgehog-type creatures and while they may look cute you wouldn't dare pet one as they'd rip your hand of and share the rest of you with their pals.
The Krites are prisoners on an asteroid jailhouse floating through the far side of the galaxy. Chaos inevitably breaks out and the Krites escape in a stolen ship, heading for the nearest solar system and it's only inhabitable planet...earth!
Not to worry though, a couple of intergalactic bounty hunters are soon on their tail and track them all the way to the quiet farming town of Grover's Bend, Kansas. The worst thing ever to happen in Grover's Bend is the local drunk (the ever lovable Charlie) getting chucked out of a bar. But now the Krites are here and they lay siege to the Brown farm, eating their cows, Billy Zane, chickens etc. Anyone or anything getting in their way is promptly poisoned by their anaesthetic spikes and feasted on.
Once the bounty hunters arrive the almost do more harm than good. The bulk of the laughs come from this, including a running joke on how one of them has shape-shifted into the form of an '80s heavy metal rocker. The other can't make up his mind and constantly changes into various townsfolk.
The Critters (8 small ones and a big shaggy one) may be Gremlins clones but there's no denying their cuteness. Though while I would love a pet Mogwai, I think I'll pass on a pet Krite.
Critters is a mad comedy-horror with loads of imagination and the nerve to tell a truly offbeat story. Much like Stephen Herek's next movie (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) Critters succeeds on pure energy alone.
The DVD is in great-looking 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with remastered Dolby 5.1 sound. Extras are limited to 4 trailers and a (hidden) alternate ending, which I've yet to find. But for the price, you can't argue, and you gotta buy."
Fun and entertaining
Brian | Chicago, Illinois | 04/09/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I cannot help but laugh every time I see people bashing each other over a movie. Disliking a certain film is one thing. But for somebody to go out of their way and flagrantly insult a total stranger over their enjoyment of a particular film they happened to hate is unnecessary and immature. Amazon should police these reviews a bit more seriously.
"Critters" is a fond and harmless throwback to the sort of monster movie so prevalent in the mid-1950s sci-fi boom. I cannot so easily classify the plot as straight-up horror, because it really isn't. This is more of a hodgepodge. You get a smattering of horror, comedy, and science fiction all rolled up within a singular and satisfying package. I caught this in a theater with my father twenty years ago, and it has always remained a guilty pleasure of mine. None of the special effects are overdone, the writing is suitable, and I found most of the cast agreeable and entertaining.
I have found over the years that many of us tend to take our movies way too seriously. In the end, I could really care less that "Critters" doesn't follow the rules of reality. Because, when I pay to see movies like this, reality is something I want to escape from."
Gremlins?
Jackie Coupe | UK, Blackburn | 03/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The film is based in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.
Nothing ever much happens and you could just drop dead of boredom.
Then the 'Crites' land and start to eat everything that's not nailed down.
Low to the ground, built for speed, darts that immobilise their prey laced over their heads, the tiny predators feast and get BIG.
Someones on their tail, a couple of face changing bounty hunter aliens who are sent to kill them off, worlds have been consumed when they have go out of hand before.
It comes down to a young boy who enlists their help and leads them to the critters - no one wants to believe him - silly them.
This is the film Gremlins would have been if they hadn't made Gizmo look so cute - they bite!
Classy film with snazzy monsters."
Inventive and sprightly horror /sci fi hybrid
F. J. Harvey | Birmingham England | 01/14/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Critters -or "crites" -are intergalactic criminals who escape from their gaolers and land in Kansas.They are pursued by the forces of the law , leather clad bounty hunters with shape shifting abilities .The crites are not notably pleasant creatures -while they resemble tumbleweeds(albeit omnivotous tumblweeds ) they have the nasty habit of discharging poison darts from their skin and have murderous dispositions .They lay siege to a farm house in Grover's Bend ,Kansas and are intent on the destruction of any humans with whom they come into contact
The movie has a nice line in wry ,acerbic humour and the performance from a capable cast ,which includes Dee Wallace Stone , M Emmett Walsh and Scott Grimes are excellent .
Add some good production values and the result is a sharp little movie that is funny without deetracting from its merits as a neat little monster movie
Entertaining and witty"
Fun fun fun
Eli Grega | 12/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The one word to sum up this movie is FUN. This is an instant classic, no doubt about it.
I'm sure by now everyone knows the plot. Almost like "Deadly Spawn" but these creatures have hair. Space Alien Creature fur ball things come to earth and begin to fest on humans. Alien hunters come to stop them and the town drunk gets to be the hero. Nuf said!
The idea for the "Critter" is quite ingenious. You have an animal about the size of a basketball, covered in long fur, rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth, feet and hands when they want to extend them, poison tipped needles on their back that can be shot at victims, and they are also quite humorous.
This is probably the best one in the series but part 2 gives it a run for its money. Part 3 & 4, to me, just fell a little short but they are all extremly fun to watch. But the best scene of course is in part 2 when all the critters combine into 1 huge ball and roll over people. Classic!!!
Anywho, buy this DvD if your looking for a fun movie to watch!"