Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Synopsis
The sequel to the popular 80's creature feature Gremlins, Gremlins 2: The New Batch was more of a satire than a horror movie, taking shots at pop culture at large and movies in particular, crammed with cameos and sight gags aplenty.

At the end of the last movie, cute little Gizmo the Mogwai was returned to the store he was purchased from after the Gremlins' first reign of terror ended. In the sequel, the elderly store owner dies and his store is razed by the greedy industrialist Daniel Clump. Gizmo escapes, only to be captured by Dr. Catheter, who heads the Splice of Life laboratory in Clump's high-tech office building in Manhattan.

Coincidentally, Gizmo's former owner Billy and his girlfriend Kate also work in that same building, which is owned by the devious Clamp. When Billy realizes that Gizmo is in the clutches of a genetics doctor who wants to dissect him, he rescues the Mogwai from the lab. But before Billy can get Gizmo out of the building, once again Gizmo accidentally spawns the evil, lizardy Gremlins by breaking two of the three Mogwai rules: never get wet, and never ever eat after midnight (the third is to stay out of bright lights, which are extremely harmful to Mogwai and Gremlin alike).

As the Gremlins drink genetic potions from the Splice of Life laboratory, they mutate into new kinds of Gremlin creatures. Some of these include a lusty female Gremlin who wants Clump, a bat Gremlin, a spider-like Gremlin, and an intellectual Gremlin who commentates on all the action (with Tony Randall's voice). Havoc is wreaked once again, but this time in the sleek, sophisticated high-rise, where the Gremlins can cause even more gleeful trouble.

What prevented this movie from being a retread of the original Gremlins were the pop culture and movie references that occurred in almost every frame of the film. Gremlins 2: The New Batch never took itself too seriously as a horror movie, even making fun of itself by spoofing the plot of the original Gremlins. The Gremlins were even more likable this time, often seeming more fun and colorful than the human characters trying to stay out of their way.

Although other small monster movies were made in the wake of Gremlins' success, none of them came close to capturing the cleverness and the exuberance of the originals.

Release History 1984 - Gremlins
1990 - Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Sub Categories live-action
sci-fi/fantasy
comedy
horror

Studio Warner Bros., Amblin

Cast

Billy Peltzer		Zach Galligan
Kate Beringer		Phoebe Cates
Daniel Clamp		John Glover
Grandpa Fred		Robert Prosky
Forster		Robert Picardo
Doctor Catheter		Christopher Lee
Marla Bloodstone		Haviland Morris
Murray Futterman		Dick Miller
Jackie Joseph		Sheila Futterman
Katsuji		Gedde Watanabe
Mr. Wing		Keye Luke
Microwave Marge		Kathleen Freeman
Martin		Don Stanton
Lewis		Dan Stanton
Wally		Shawn Nelson
Forster's Technician		Archie Hahn
Forster's Technician		Leslie Neale
Forster's Technician		Ron Fassler
Forster's Technician Time Winters
Yogurt Jerk		Heather Haase
Yogurt Jerk		Jason Presson
Yogurt Customer		Lisa Mende
Yogurt Customer		Patrika Darbo
Yogurt Customer		Jerry Goldsmith
Security Guard		Rick Ducommun
Fire Chief		John Capodice
Movie Theatre Mom		Belinda Balaski
Movie Theatre Kid		Nicky Rose
Theatre Manager		Paul Bartel
Projectionist		Kenneth Tobey
TV Reporter		Heidi Kempf
TV Reporter		Eric Shawn
TV Reporter		Michael Salort
Cop		Frank P. Ryan
TV Reporter at Wing's		Diane Sainte-Marie
TV Anchor in Bar		Kristi Witker
Reporter in Lobby		Sarah Lilly
Taxi Driver		Vladimir Bibic
Tour Guide #1		Page Hannah
Tour Guide #2		Liz Pryor
Messenger		Raymond Cruz
Lab Receptionist		Julia Sweeney
Forster's Assistant		Jeff Swanson
Casper		Charles S. Haas
Surveillance Supervisor		Dale Swann
TV Cameraman		Gray Daniels
Clamp's Secretary		Stephanie Menuez
Lady at Elevator		Jacque Lynn Colton
Hallway Employee		May Quigley
Hallway Employee		Anthony Winters
Fireman		Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Swat Team Leader		Dean Norris
Newsstand Lady		Saachiko
Janitor		John Astin
Fired Employee		Henry Gibson
Himself		Leonard Maltin
Hulk Hogan		Himself
Dick Butkus		Himself
Bubba Smith		Himself
Gizmo (voice) Howie Mandel
Brain Gremlin (voice)		Tony Randall
Mohawk (voice)		Frank Welker
Gremlins (voice)		Kirk Thatcher
Gremlins (voice)		Mark Dodson
Announcer (voice)		Neil Ross
Gizmo (voice)		Howie Mandel
Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck (voice)		Jeff Bergman
'Grandpa Fred' Director		Joe Dante
Special Vocal Effects (voice)		Michael Sheehan