CRITTERS 2: THE MAIN COURSE (1988) – Episode 284 – Decades of Horror 1980s

“What is this bullshit? Them man-eating dust mops got us roped up tighter than a blue-ribbon bull, and all you folks can do is stand here and play kick-the-can with some punk kid!” Barry Corbin as Harv-the-former-sheriff delivers this line and the goods! Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr, and guest Ralph Miller III – as they watch a new batch of Critters hatch just in time for Easter in Critters 2: The Main Course (1988).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 284 – Critters 2: The Main Course (1988)

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Eggs of the small but voracious alien creatures called Krites are left behind on Earth and, after hatching, set their appetites on the small farm town of Grover’s Bend.

• Director: Mick Garris
• Writers: David Twohy (as D.T. Twohy) and Mick Garris
• Produced by: Robert Shaye (executive producer), Barry Opper (producer)
• Music Composed by: Nicholas Pike
• Director of Photography: Russell Carpenter
• Edited by: Charles Bornstein
• Special Effects Supervisor: Marty Breslin
• Critters Created By: Chiodo Brothers Productions (Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, Stephen Chiodo)
  • Production Coordinator: Linda Chiodo 
  • Sculptors: Brian Wade, William Whitten
  • Mechanics: Dwight Roberts (Mechanics Supervisor), David Sosalla, Ralph Miller III, Jene Omens, David Mesloh, Steve Lebed
  • Fabricators: C. Mitchell Bryan, Niels Nielsen, Bradford Plows
  • Cosmetics: Ans Ellis, Deborah Galvez
  • Painter: Robert Tharp
  • Special Fabrication: Jarn Heil, Jim Kundig
  • Production Assistant: Steve Kellener
• Visual Effects: VCE/Peter Kuran
• Miniature Effects Photography: Jim Aupperle (uncredited)
• Krite Translations: Karl P. Anno Institute of Intergalactic Semantic Research
• Selected Cast:
  • Terrence Mann as Ug
  • Don Keith Opper as Charlie (credited as Don Opper)
  • Cynthia Garris as Zanti
  • Scott Grimes as Brad
  • Al Stevenson as Bus Driver
  • Tom Hodges as Wesley
  • Douglas Rowe as Quigley
  • Liane Curtis as Megan
  • Lindsay Parker as Cindy
  • Herta Ware as Nana
  • Sam Anderson as Mr. Morgan
  • Lin Shaye as Sal
  • Barry Corbin as Harv
  • Eddie Deezen as Hungry Heifer Manager
  • Frank Birney as Reverend Fisher
  • David Ursin as Sheriff Corwin
  • Roxanne Kernohan as Lee
  • Randy Spears as Lee/Ug ‘Nothing-Face’ (credited as Gregory Patrick)
  • Tom McLoughlin as Church Guard
  • Patrick Campbell as Farmer
  • Montrose Hagins as Farm Woman
  • Gary Cashdollar as Scared Man
  • Candace Laughlin as Woman
  • J. Christopher Sullivan as Townie
  • Edward Chiodo as Puppeteer (uncredited)
  • Mick Garris as Critters (voice) (uncredited)
  • William Hanna as Critters screams and shrieks (archive sound) (uncredited)

After discussing Critters (1986) in their last episode, it seemed only natural for the Grue-Crew to take on Critters 2 (1988) next. This is another fantastic film from New Line Cinema with heart, humor, and excellent effects work. Scott Grimes, Terrence Mann, and Don Keith Opper reprise their roles from Critters and Barry Corbin ably replaces M. Emmet Walsh as Harv. This time, the Grue Crew brings reinforcements in the form of Ralph Miller III, an effects artist who worked on the film for Chiodo Brothers Productions. Ralph gets into the nitty gritty details while describing some of his effects work and experiences while working on the film. The Grue-Crew loved it, and they hope you will too!

At the time of this writing, Critters 2 (1988) is available to stream from Tubi, Plex, and several pay-per-view sources. It is also available on physical media in The Critters Collection [Blu-ray], a 4-disc boxed set that includes Critters 1-4 from Scream Factory.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Chad, will be Intruder (1989). Just when you thought it was safe to go to the supermarket again! You’ll see some excellent special effects work and a lot of familiar faces, including Bruce Campbell, Ted & Sam Raimi, Alvy Moore, Tom Lester, and Emil “Hold hands you lovebirds” Sitka. It’s slasher time at Decades of Horror 1980s.

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