Review Critters 2: The Main Course (1988)

[Doctor Omega]

Critters 2: The Main Course (also known simply as Critters 2) is a 1988 American science fiction comedy horror film starring Terrence Mann, Don Keith Opper and Scott Grimes. It was directed by Mick Garris in his directorial debut and written by David Twohyand Garris. It is the second film in the Critters series and the sequel to the film Critters (1986).

Cast

• Scott Grimes as Brad Brown
• Don Keith Opper as Charlie McFadden
• Terrence Mann as Ug
• Roxanne Kernohan as Lee
• Liane Alexandra Curtis as Megan Morgan
• Barry Corbin as Sheriff Harv
• Tom Hodges as Wesley
• Douglas Rowe as Quigley
• Lindsay Parker as Cindy
• Herta Ware as Nana
• Lin Shaye as Sal
• Sam Anderson as Mr. Morgan
• Eddie Deezen as Hungry Heifer manager

Production

Garris got the chance to direct after having worked for Steven Spielberg on the television series Amazing Stories as a screenwriter. The film was shot in Santa Clarita outside Los Angeles.[2]

Release

The film was released theatrically in the United States by New Line Cinema in April 1988. It grossed $3.8 million at the box office[3] and was the last film in the series to be released theatrically.

The film was released on VHS and laserdisc by New Line Home Video later the same year. In 2003, New Line Home Entertainment released the film on DVD. The film was re-released in a set containing all four Critters films on DVD by Warner Bros. in 2010.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes reports that 33% of nine surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 4.1/10.[4] Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film 1 out of 4 stars, writing, "It lacks all of the style and sense of fun of the original Critters (1986) and has no reason for existence".[5]

Sequels

Critters 2: The Main Course was followed by Critters 3 and Critters 4, directed by Kristine Peterson and Rupert Harvey, respectively. Critters 4 used outer space scenes from this film, as well as from Android (1982).