The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie

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The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie United States

Critters / Critters 2: The Main Course / Critters 3 / Critters 4
Shout Factory | 1986-1992 | 4 Movies | 351 min | Rated PG-13 | Nov 27, 2018

The Critters Collection (Blu-ray Movie)

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Blu-ray rating

Users4.0 of 54.0
Reviewer4.5 of 54.5
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Overview

The Critters Collection (1986-1992)

They're back and ready to devour your Blu-ray player! The terrifying and tiny menaces are out in full force with this four-film collection packed with enough Special Features to make any fan's mouth water! In Critters, the terrified Brown family are trapped in a deadly nightmare and must fight for their lives against a litter of extraterrestrial, bloodthirsty monsters. But it's a losing battle until two intergalactic bounty hunters arrive, determined to blow the creatures off the planet! In Critters 2: The Main Course, some eggs have survived and are popping open, bringing another horde of the little creatures! Brad Brown (Scott Grimes) returns to fight them along with three bounty hunters. Critters 3 stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Josh, a beleaguered Angelino who must lead the fight against the little monsters as they invade an L.A. apartment building. In the final film, Critters 4, a super strain of genetically engineered monsters are designed to take over the universe. This time, Brad Dourif and Angela Bassett must battle the little bloodthirsty hairballs.

Horror100%
Thriller16%
Sci-Fi3%
ComedyInsignificant

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080p
    Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

  • Audio

    See individual releases

  • Subtitles

    English SDH

  • Discs

    Blu-ray Disc
    Four-disc set (4 BDs)

  • Playback

    Region A (locked)

Review

Rating summary

Movie3.5 of 53.5
Video4.0 of 54.0
Audio3.5 of 53.5
Extras5.0 of 55.0
Overall4.5 of 54.5

The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 1, 2018

In the great gold rush to create horror comedies focusing on violent shenanigans from tiny, ugly aggressors, “Critters” filled a vital role in the long wait for a “Gremlins” sequel. The 1986 release offered defined B-movie thrills and chills while keeping a sense of humor, followed by a sequel that achieved the same results with a slightly more madcap vision. Over four films, the “Critters” saga embarks on a creative ride of low budgets and puppet havoc, and for the first three efforts, the genre blend works, keeping Mogwai dreams at bay while the Crites make an amusing mess of any area they infest.


Click here for a review of Critters

Click here for a review of Critters 2: The Main Course

Click here for a review of Critters 3

Click here for a review of Critters 4


The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  4.0 of 5

Click here for a video review of Critters

Click here for a video review of Critters 2: The Main Course

Click here for a video review of Critters 3

Click here for a video review of Critters 4


The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  3.5 of 5

Click here for an audio review of Critters

Click here for an audio review of Critters 2: The Main Course

Click here for an audio review of Critters 3

Click here for an audio review of Critters 4


The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  5.0 of 5

Critters

  • Commentary #1 features producer Barry Opper and star Don Opper.
  • Commentary #2 features Crite designers Charles, Edward, and Stephen Chiodo.
  • "They Bite" (71:05, HD) is a blissfully comprehensive look at the making of "Critters," which brings in a fair amount of cast and crew from the original production to discuss the creation of the cult classic (director Stephen Herek doesn't appear). Screenwriting duties were handled by Brian Domonic Muir, who wrote the feature longhand at the age of 19, finding an excited collaborator in Herek, with both men working for Roger Corman, ready to graduate to their own film. While the picture was prepared for Corman, New Line Cinema eventually bought the script, requesting a less violent tale to fit sellable PG-13 standards. Casting is extensively covered, with Terrence Mann pulled from Broadway to star as an alien bounty hunter, and Dee Wallace warmly recalls her co-stars. Creature design is also explored in full, with the Chiodo Brothers recalling the testing phase for Crite design, also identifying special challenges and issues with fur. We meet select members of the crew, with a firearms specialist describing how the alien guns actually worked, and amazement is shared over the climatic (and quite dangerous) house explosion. The documentary examines scoring demands with composer David Newman, a reshot ending meant to add some lightness to a grim conclusion (weirdly, prints with the original ending were also sent to theaters, giving "Critters" a "Clue"-like release), and MPAA battles to preserve the PG-13. Memories from the original release are offered, and a celebration of the movie's legacy is examined.
  • "For Brian" (21:57, HD) is a memorial piece for Muir, who passed away in 2010, with friends and collaborators sharing anecdotes and thoughts about their time with the "Critters" screenwriter. It's quite a candid featurette, examining Muir's loss of the directing gig to a coin toss with Herek, and his removal from the franchise once sequels were produced. There's talk of his industry struggles and love of writing, also sharing details from his multiple bouts with cancer. To celebrate his life, a memorial screening of "Critters" was held, with attendees paying their last respects to the man who created it all.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Footage (11:52, SD) showcases the testing phase of the Crites, with the Chiodo Brothers working out ways to add articulation to the puppets, get them to walk, roll, and deal with surprise attacks.
  • Alternate Ending (4:23, SD) is the aforementioned original conclusion of "Critters," which doesn't have the magical house reconstruction addition, leaving audiences with a semi-bummer final moment before the end credits.
  • Still Gallery (5:49) collects lobby cards, poster art, publicity shots, and newspaper ads.
  • T.V. Spots (2:05, SD) provide four commercials for "Critters."
  • And a Theatrical Trailer (1:30, SD) is included.


Critters 2: The Main Course
  • "The Main Course" (63:00 HD) continues the examination of the "Critters" series, this time highlighting the unexpected production of the first sequel, which was championed by the New Line Cinema home video department, who found themselves with a VHS hit after the so-so theatrical performance of the original film. Losing most of the creative time from the first installment, set command was offered to Mick Garris, a Spielberg protégé in charge of locating a specific balance of horror and comedy for the effort. Casting is recounted, with Scott Grimes aging into a heroic role, joined by Liane Curtis, who's carefully described as "rebellious." Amusing anecdotes are shared about the shoot, which occurred in freezing weather, making heat an elusive luxury. Cast and crew interviews highlight production design triumphs and Chiodo Brothers mastery, identifying the more specific Crite creations for "Critters 2," with an extensive study of the Crite Ball from the climax. Individual sequences are examined, including the Hungry Heifer showdown (with a restaurant theme song composed by Mick's wife, Cynthia Garris) and the female transformation of Lee, with actress Roxanne Kernohan's own Playboy past useful to the production. Post-production challenges are shared, and Garris is clearly disappointed by the financial performance of "Critters 2," which tanked in 1988, going on to enjoy cult longevity on home video.
  • Cut Scenes (13:09, SD) present low quality broadcast footage from the television debut of "Critters 2." Short scenes are offered, including additional character definition, town prep for the Easter festival, and a carefully censored version of Lee's female transformation.
  • Behind-the-Scenes (23:49, SD) is actually a compilation of various "Critters 2" set visits, most highlighting the technical labor required to bring Crites to life, while the crew discusses their intent with special effects and tone. Most bizarre is a visit from a news crew, with the reporter trying to ditch his cameraman before being devoured by a Crite.
  • Still Gallery (3:05) collects BTS shots, publicity stills, and an assortment of VHS covers and poster art.
  • T.V. Spot (:32, SD) is offered.
  • And a Theatrical Trailer (1:40, SD) is included.


Critters 3
  • Commentary features producer Barry Opper and star Don Opper.
  • "You Are What They Eat" (26:27, HD) picks up the "Critters" story in the early 1990s, where the decision was made to create two sequels for the home video market for one low price. The glue holding the story together was the return of Don Opper as Charlie, while screenwriter David J. Schow was hired to craft the film, only to be called into duty on "Critters 4" when that movie's writer quit, leaving him to quickly assemble the epic tale. Dealing with a limited budget and no time, pressure was on director Kristine Peterson (who isn't pictured) to make a feature while facing many problems, including improper handling of the Crite puppets, which were more high-tech this time around. Such carelessness is detailed by the Chiodo Brothers, who also share anecdotes about the physical strain incurred while puppeting the monsters. Casting is celebrated, and while Leonardo DiCaprio is praised for his professionalism, his refusal to even discuss his screen debut seems to bum out the interviewees.
  • Still Gallery (2:16) collects publicity stills, BTS snaps, and VHS cover art.
  • A Trailer (1:39, SD) and a VHS Promo (1:46, SD) are included.


Critters 4
  • Commentary features director Rupert Harvey.
  • "Space Madness" (22:39, HD) returns to the cast and crew of "Critters 3" to discuss the second half of the low-budget shoot, with "Critters 4" moving from an apartment building to a space station, requiring the construction of impressively designed sets writer David J. Schow wanted to use to make an additional horror film, only to be denied by New Line Cinema. This featurette is a little more candid about the production process, with Harvey identified as the man who took "Critters" too seriously, endeavoring to make a darker, more violent picture, which nobody seems all that delighted with. Missing from the crew were the Chiodo Brothers, who delegated work to underlings, lamenting a loss of quality from the effort, including a limited amount of Crites to use for the shoot. Harvey also insisted on story changes, trying to give viewers a few twists to keep them interested, providing a welcome acting challenge for Terrence Mann. There are reflections on the movie's legacy and place in the series, along with some wishes for future plans, but most interesting is an analysis of franchise appeal, with many involved with "Critters" having trouble grasping why there's a rabid fanbase for it.
  • Still Gallery (3:05) collects BTS snaps, publicity stills, design sketches, and VHS and DVD cover art.
  • And a Trailer (2:10, SD) is included.


The Critters Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.5 of 5

Shout Factory has brought the "Critters" franchise to Blu-ray, and the first two chapters are treated right, presented with appealing scans and in-depth supplements. Quality doesn't carry through to the last two installments of the series, but informational additions to the set are engrossing, and Shout does what they can with what they've been given. Storytelling achievements decline over the three sequels, but "The Critters Collection" hands the Crites an enjoyable Blu event, finally finding an HD home for two wildly enjoyable romps and a pair of inessential DTV sequels.


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