Ghoulies (1984)

June 19, 2018

I was really looking forward to watching this movie. I had hyped it up so much to my wife. I was adamant that Ghoulies blows Critters out of the water 100%! I grew up watching these little guys terrorize people on the TV screen. I remember being afraid to use the bathroom when I was a kid for fear that a Ghoulie would pop out and bite me. Unfortunately, I think I was remembering Ghoulies II and Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go To College. I am not positive if I ever actually saw the original Ghoulies. After watching it, I had to eat crow. This movie sucks.

People watch this film to see these creepy little stop-motion puppets murder people in bloody and comedic ways. However, this movie is more about the battle satanic priest and his son than about the loveable little monsters. There is about five minutes of Ghoulie goodness but the other 75 minutes is the son being possessed, casting spells, and summoning dwarves. Also, despite the movie cover, not one Ghoulie goes into a toilet. I call BS on this film! The best parts were not the killings, but the goofy pranks of the protagonist's friends. Getting high, dancing, and joking around added a much needed comedic break from the monotony of the storyline. Also, the film has the incredible Jack Nance (Eraserhead, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet.... any David Lynch film really) in it and it is always enjoyable seeing him work.

I hope Ghoulies II lives up to my childhood recollection...