Media:
Video-CD (Malaysian Import)
Genre:
Sci-Fi Horror Dark Comedy
Stars:
Dee Wallace Stone, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Green Bush, Scott Grimes, Nadine Van
Der Velde, Don Opper, Terrence Mann, Billy Zane, and Ethan Phillips
Writers:
Dominic Muir and Stephen Herek
Director:
Stephen Herek
Feature
length: 90 minutes
Languages:
English Stereo
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Two-Disc Jewel Case
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1986/VCD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Home
Video Distributor: Speedy Video Distributors (In Malaysia Only)
MPAA
Rating: PG-13
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
About
two years after Warner Brothers released “Gremlins” to outstanding box
office with it’s mix of dark humor and horror like thrills, New Line Cinema
began a franchise in a somewhat similar manner that featured somewhat cute, but
ultimately deadly little aliens known as Krites. The Krites can travel at fast
speeds by literally rolling after their prey and have a somewhat porcupine like
appearance with razor sharp teeth. They can shoot needles at their prey to
immobilize them and make them easier to catch and eat. They are interstellar
criminals that have traveled across the galaxy and stopped off at Earth to get a
bite to eat. Krites will eat just about anything, including human beings, and
are on the run from chameleon like bounty hunters sent to exterminate the
carnivorous alien fugitives.
When
the Krites land on Earth, they quickly begin indulging themselves with farm
animals, dogs, and the local human population. The film features a few early
performances by some actors who have made a name for themselves in genre films
along with a few who were already genre film veterans by the time the film was
released, which include Dee Wallace Stone, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Zane, and Ethan
Phillips. The Chiodo Brothers (Killer Klowns From Outer Space) provided the
special effects for the film and Don Opper appears as one of the alien bounty
hunters sent to exterminate the Krites. Three more sequels followed and Don
Opper returned in as the bounty hunter for all three sequels, which helped to
keep some continuity in the low budget franchise. The film has a 1950s B-sci-fi
film feel to it and never takes itself to seriously, which makes it more
entertaining.
Not
yet available on DVD in Region One America, “Critters” is presented on VCD
spread across two discs with disc one running for approximate 41 minutes and 31
seconds and disc two has a running time of approximately 40 minutes and 41
seconds. “Critters” is presented on VCD in a modified (1.33:1) aspect ratio
for standard 4 by 3 televisions. The image quality is quite clear considering
the limitations of MPEG-1 compression and the English Stereo Soundtrack is clear
and free of hissing. There are no captions or subtitles encoded on to these
Video-CDs of any kind.
As
a compliment to one’s DVD-Video collection who are looking for films not yet
available on DVD and with no release date in sight and also for those who prefer
a digital video transfer to analogue NTSC VHS, “Critters” on VCD is not a
bad deal and can be purchased online now from eurekamovies.com.
These films can be played on Windows based and Macintosh computers as well with
an ordinary CD-ROM drive.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.