Critters 2: The Main Course (also known as Critters 2) is a 1988 American science fictioncomedy horror film directed by Mick Garris in his directorial debut, and the second installment in the Critters franchise. A direct sequel to Critters, the film was written by David Twohy and Garris, and stars Scott Grimes, Don Keith Opper and Terrence Mann reprising their roles. The plot takes place two years after the first film, as a batch of planted Critter eggs begin to hatch and resume their carnivorous appetite upon the town once again.
Although it did not gross as much as the original, the sequel grossed $3.8 million during its theatrical run in the United States. It is the last installment in the series to be released theatrically, and is followed by Critters 3 in 1991.
Plot
Out in space on a desolate planet, the shape-shifting bounty hunters Ug and Lee and their human companion Charlie McFadden search for a vicious, worm-like creature. After killing the beast, they depart the planet. Soon afterwards, they receive a new assignment by Zanti, head of the High Council. He tells them that Krites have been detected on Earth and must be destroyed at once. With that, they set a course for Earth, but Ug notices Charlie is brooding, and he enquires what is wrong. Charlie states his reluctance to going back to Earth after two years and asks whether they will leave him there. Ug assures him they have no such intentions.
Back on Earth, Brad Brown, now 15, is visiting his grandmother in Grover's Bend, Kansas. Word gets around the town fast, implying he became well known after the events of the first film. Shortly after the bounty hunters arrive, the Critters attack a man dressed as an Easter Bunny, killing him. No one is aware that it was the Critters who attacked him, as his death is attributed to a farming accident. Ug has once again taken on the persona of rock star Johnny Steele, while Lee sees a magazine with a gorgeous, busty centerfold model (Roxanne Kernohan) and takes on her visage. Eventually the Critters make themselves known when they begin terrorizing the town, growing in large numbers. Lee is killed and devoured by the Critters when they set a trap, causing Ug to slip into a deep depression and revert to his alien form.
The remaining people of the town devise a plan. With Ug polymorphed into a large Krite, they lead the Critters to a burger factory in an attempt to blow them up. The plan fails and the Critters emerge joined together into a large ball, and begin heading to the church. Just before they reach it, Charlie flies directly into them with Ug's spaceship, successfully destroying the Critters and seemingly sacrificing himself. Ug subsequently takes on Charlie's facial features in honor of his bravery. The next day, as Brad departs, it is revealed that Charlie survived by using a parachute. He stays on Earth, becoming sheriff of Grover's Bend. Ug departs in a new spacecraft, still wearing the guise of Charlie.
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Garris got the chance to direct after having worked for Steven Spielberg on the television series Amazing Stories as a screenwriter. Garris initially turned down the offer to direct, but later accepted, citing that he was a big fan of the first movie and wanted to make the sequel a more scary film than the first. The Chiodo Brothers, who served as special effects artists on the first film, returned to create the titular creatures, creating over 50 puppets for the film.[4]
The film was released theatrically in the United States by New Line Cinema in April 1988. It grossed $3.8 million at the box office[3] and was the last film in the series to be released theatrically.
Scream Factory, a subsidiary of Shout! Factory, released the four films as part of "The Critters Collection" on Blu-ray. The set was released on November 27, 2018.[5]
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes reports that 31% of 13 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 4.2/10.[6] Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film 1 out of 4 stars: "It lacks all of the style and sense of fun of the original Critters (1986) and has no reason for existence".[7]
Discussing the film several years after its release, writer David Twohy said in an interview with Starlog that "Critters 2 is something I'm still not terribly pleased is on my résumé".[8]
