This sequel to "Critters" begins logically enough, as the bounty hunters Ug (Terrence Mann) and Charlie (Don Keith Opper) return to Earth, having found out about the pile of Crite eggs left at the end of the first movie. In the company of another bounty hunter, they go about their mission, while former farm boy Brad Brown (the likable Scott Grimes) returns to the town of Grovers' Bend for an Easter vacation with his grandma (Herta Ware), and the Crite eggs unfortunately get distributed around town.
Once the eggs are hatched, it's all about the Critter action in this fairly fast paced effort by first time feature director Mick Garris ("Sleepwalkers"), who also wrote the script with David Twohy ("Pitch Black"). The main change is the opening up of the action, what with having the Crites take on the town of Grovers' Bend en masse. The effects by the Chiodo brothers are typically amusing; the big draw this time is seeing the petite monsters fuse themselves into a great big ball and go rolling hungrily along. (It does make one wish that they do a little more damage in this capacity.)
The cast proves to be game: Opper is once again endearing as Charlie, Liane Curtis likewise appealing as young reporter Megan. Lending their valuable support are Sam Anderson as Megans' dad, the local newspaper publisher, Lin Shaye (another returnee from the first "Critters") as his employee Sally, Barry Corbin, taking over the role of Harv from M. Emmet Walsh, and the always-good-for-a-laugh Eddie Deezen as a restaurant manager. Garris's wife Cynthia plays a small role and also wrote and sang that catchy jingle. Some viewers will appreciate the presence of the sadly short lived beauty Roxanne Kernohan, as the third bounty hunters' incarnation as a Playboy centerfold.
There is a funny little in-joke regarding New Line Cinemas' biggest franchise character at that time.
Overall, agreeable entertainment for fans of the genre.
Seven out of 10.
Once the eggs are hatched, it's all about the Critter action in this fairly fast paced effort by first time feature director Mick Garris ("Sleepwalkers"), who also wrote the script with David Twohy ("Pitch Black"). The main change is the opening up of the action, what with having the Crites take on the town of Grovers' Bend en masse. The effects by the Chiodo brothers are typically amusing; the big draw this time is seeing the petite monsters fuse themselves into a great big ball and go rolling hungrily along. (It does make one wish that they do a little more damage in this capacity.)
The cast proves to be game: Opper is once again endearing as Charlie, Liane Curtis likewise appealing as young reporter Megan. Lending their valuable support are Sam Anderson as Megans' dad, the local newspaper publisher, Lin Shaye (another returnee from the first "Critters") as his employee Sally, Barry Corbin, taking over the role of Harv from M. Emmet Walsh, and the always-good-for-a-laugh Eddie Deezen as a restaurant manager. Garris's wife Cynthia plays a small role and also wrote and sang that catchy jingle. Some viewers will appreciate the presence of the sadly short lived beauty Roxanne Kernohan, as the third bounty hunters' incarnation as a Playboy centerfold.
There is a funny little in-joke regarding New Line Cinemas' biggest franchise character at that time.
Overall, agreeable entertainment for fans of the genre.
Seven out of 10.