As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Gremlins is one of the most inventive and entertaining Christmas movies to ever grace our screens. The film’s unique blend of horror and holiday cheer has left an indelible mark on popular culture, and it continues to captivate audiences today.
For nearly four decades, the unconventional mix of horror and festive spirit in the movie “Gremlins” has set it apart as one of the most extraordinary Christmas films ever created. The story revolves around Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan), who receives an unusual present – a strange creature named Mogwai, with three crucial guidelines: avoid exposing it to bright light, keep it dry, and never feed it post-midnight. When these guidelines are inevitably disregarded, Billy’s peaceful town is inundated by mischievous creatures. However, as per writer Chris Columbus, the final version that hit the screens was less gruesome than his original concept, which encompassed more violence, greater jeopardy, and a surprising twist for the adorable Gizmo.
In a recent chat with Vanity Fair, Columbus shared several grim storylines that didn’t make it to the final version of the script. He hinted that the father might have fought against the Gremlins, though he’s unsure if he lived through it. The mother, unfortunately, did not survive; her demise was quite gruesome – her head rolling down the stairs in their home. These grim events would have significantly darkened the film’s overall tone, transforming the family-friendly horror-comedy into a much bleaker narrative.
The author additionally described a more tragic end for the Peltzer family pet, Barney. Contrary to what appears in the finished film where Barney gets entangled in Christmas lights and lives, the original storyline was much harsher. As the writer stated, “Barney, the dog, didn’t merely get caught up in the Christmas lights; he was hung by his neck and perished. We killed the dog!” Columbus further mentioned, “The Gremlins consumed him! Afterwards, they invaded McDonald’s and devoured the people—not their meals. There were many scenes that didn’t make it to the final script.
How Steven Spielberg Saved Gizmo and Shaped Gremlins‘ Legacy
In the original concept for the movie, Gizmo, the cute Mogwai character, transformed into a gremlin around page 30. However, this transformation occurred throughout the entire film in the script, which was not the case in the final version. This significant change was prevented by producer Steven Spielberg, who recognized that the story required a sympathetic creature. As Columbus acknowledged, one of Spielberg’s best decisions was keeping Gizmo with Billy throughout the movie. Columbus realized later on that the audience needed someone to empathize with in terms of the gremlins, and that role was fulfilled by Gizmo.
In a candid conversation, Columbus – currently associated with ‘Nosferatu’ as a producer – admitted that his lack of industry experience earlier hindered him from advocating more aggressively for his darker creative ideas. He expressed delight about returning to a project like ‘Nosferatu’, stating, “Darkness is deeply ingrained in me.” Despite Gremlins turning out less grim than Columbus initially envisioned, it still contained some somber scenes. The team made sure to preserve one especially bleak scene – Kate’s (Phoebe Cates) monologue about her father’s sorrowful Christmas demise. “We were as dark as I see fit,” Columbus stated. “The studio suggested cutting the scene of Phoebe Cates’s father dying in the chimney, but Steven [Spielberg] and Joe Dante and I resisted this change. That was one aspect I stood firm on at the time.
Over time, the transformations turned out to be truly advantageous, as the enchanting film “Gremlins” has become a cherished holiday tradition, skillfully blending chilling horror aspects with delightful family entertainment. The movie’s triumph led to an expansive franchise, giving birth to sequels, television series, and a wide array of merchandise. To this day, the adorable Mogwai named Gizmo remains an iconic figure that continues to captivate viewers forty years after his first appearance on the silver screen.
Gremlins is currently available to stream on MAX.
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2024-12-26 19:39