Munchies (1987)
7/10
Fun Gremlin's knock-off. A minor classic.
5 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Devoted -MuNcHiEs- fan since 87'

Let's keep this brief, this cheap little flick by no means requires a detailed and lengthy review.

Producer/director extraordinaire Roger Corman was behind this delightfully cheesy little low-budget Gremlins knock-off, from 1987 we have: Munchies! It's certainly a light-weight among movies, but also very amusing and entertaining and the pacing is tight and rarely if ever slow. Clearly designed to NOT be taken with any seriousness, Munchies is a goofy, somewhat kinky take-off of Gremlin's, but unlike the Gremlin's the Munchies can talk and they prattle off a string of cheesy one-liner's throughout the film - some funny sounding voices on those critters. It stars Harvey Korman in a double-role, his "bad-guy" role Cecil Waterman - a mustachioed, slime-ball businessman, clad in a tacky looking polyester suit and topped off with a bad looking rug - is probably the funniest character. Then there's our hero "Paul" played by a shrimpy, bemulleted no-name actor, who wants to have a career in comedy, only his jokes are usually quite weak and along for the ride is his hot and curvy girlfriend Cindy, played by the lovely Nadine Van der Veld. On the topic of Nadine Van der Veld's butt, I always thought it a shame, watching her running around in those skin-tight Guess jeans, her shirt, being untucked, effectively covering from view that lovely looking derriere of hers - a missed opputunity. I'm sure it's because a lady directed the movie.

After some unforeseen meddling by Cecil and stepson, the Muchies are soon running amuck and multiplying out of control, causing mayhem through mostly rural California, starting by making a quick get-away, hilariously, in a two-toned AMC Gremiln (PERFECT CHOICE!!!). On their way, zig-zagging through the countryside they cause mischief at ice cream parlors, miniature golf courses (a 36-hole!!! course), video rental joints and Burger-Land. Then the adventure goes underground (revealing incriminating evidence which is bad for Cecil Waterman's local business empire) and my favorite part of movie happens here, it's during a scene when their all, as a group, chasing Cindy down a tunnel, their over-the-top laughter is just priceless. Sadly moments later the Munchies meet their end, when their dealt a strong dose of "Fire of the Gods". Paul sure can deliver in a pressing situation, after all he's the hero don't forget, an unlikely one - but none the less. The end sets the stage for a sequel, but as of yet I've haven't see a second Munchies movie. With a very brisk running time of only 83 minutes, the Munchies certainly falls into the "short cheapy" category.

I can't figure it, some people REALLY take things a bit too seriously. Reading through some of the reviews here, some people actually feel the need to get pissy and vinegary ("what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" or "about as entertaining as a kick to the head"), when reviewing a movie as completely harmless and goofy as Munchies - pretty ridiculous folk's. You can do so much worse then this believe me. Munchies isn't anywhere near the bottom of the barrel - not even close. I've always deemed it a minor classic and it's easily one of the better Gremlin's knock-offs. On an end-note, the cheese-factor for this (starting with it's title) is extremely high, which is a very common thing for movies made in the mid-80's. That's the main reason why it's funny, because of it's over-the-top nature. So just sit back and let any semblance of seriousness leave your mind and enjoy the Munchies.....with some munchies.
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