Watch Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a 1990 American horror-comedy film directed by Joe Dante and written by Charles S. Haas. It is the sequel to the 1984 film Gremlins and features the return of the characters Gizmo and Billy Peltzer, played by Zach Galligan. The film also stars Phoebe Cates, who reprises her role as Kate Beringer, and Howie Mandel, who once again voices Gizmo.

The movie begins with Gizmo being taken from his original owners and brought to a genetics laboratory located in New York City's Clamp Tower. There, Gizmo is intended to be used as a test subject for a new line of genetically modified animals. However, he soon becomes exposed to water and multiplies, creating a new batch of Gremlins that wreak havoc on the laboratory and eventually take over Clamp Tower.

The film is set in an office building, with a satirical tone that pokes fun at corporate culture. The main antagonist is Daniel Clamp, the billionaire owner of the tower, played by John Glover. Clamp is a parody of a powerful business mogul who appears charming and benevolent but has selfish motivations. He is obsessed with the television network that bears his name and seeks to create a utopian society within Clamp Tower.

The Gremlins themselves are portrayed as mischievous and chaotic creatures who are motivated by a desire to cause destruction and have fun. However, unlike the original film, the Gremlins in Gremlins 2 have unique personalities and are more diverse in their appearance and behavior. For example, there is a Gremlin who wears a suit and tie and speaks eloquently, a female Gremlin who wears makeup and jewelry, and a bat-like Gremlin who can fly.

As the Gremlins wreak havoc on the tower, Gizmo and Billy work together to stop them. They are aided by a supporting cast of characters, including Kate and a tech-savvy employee named Marla Bloodstone, played by Robert Picardo. The group uses a variety of creative methods to fight the Gremlins, including using electricity, fire, and even a genetically modified vegetable to destroy them.

One of the unique aspects of Gremlins 2 is the film's self-referential humor. The movie includes several meta moments where characters break the fourth wall and directly address the audience. For example, early on in the film, the Gremlins destroy the projection booth of the theater where the movie is being shown. The film then appears to break and the camera pulls back to reveal the Gremlins are now in the actual theater with the audience. The film also includes several references to classic movie monsters and science fiction, including a Gremlin who transforms into a giant spider and a scene that parodies the film The Fly.

Overall, Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a fun and entertaining film that expands on the mythology of the original Gremlins while also embracing its own unique tone and style. The movie features a likable cast of characters, memorable Gremlin designs, and a plethora of inventive set pieces. Fans of the original film and horror-comedy in general will enjoy this sequel's blend of humor and horror.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a 1990 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 69.