Just when you thought it was safe to live in a small, Midwestern town, in come those prickly little buggers, The Critters! The 80's was filled with sci-fi ups & downs, but here we have a classic. The Brown family moves into a Kansas farm not long before they're besieged by the Critters, or Krites, as the bounty hunter Ug calls them. Herein, the town has to fend for themselves, along with the standard sheriff (M. Emmet Walsh) and the unlikely heroes, young Brad Brown (Scott Grimes) and his slow, but best friend Charlie (Don Keith Opper). The troop is joined by two bounty hunters, the only surviving/interesting one is named Ug (Terrence Mann), whose a shape-shifter. The film also stars Dee Wallace Stone (The Howling, Cujo) as Brad's mom, Helen. Carnage ensues throughout the town as Brad & Charlie try to help the bounty hunters in exterminating these pests.

The film was written/directed by Stephen Herek, in his directorial debut. He's known for such films as Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, The Mighty Ducks, and The Three Musketeers (the one w/ Kiefer Sutherland) among others. It was also co-written by Domonic Muir. The movie isn't totally dark, having a bit of comic relief, thanks to the coupling of Brad & Charlie, aswell as your typical 80's humor. But, these things mean business. As small as they might be, they can really "stick it" to you! They've got these prickly spines all over their body that they use as a defense mechanism. Also, they can form into these balls & roll around at high speeds! The movie spawned 3 sequels (the 2nd one being the best) & even introduced the world to Leonardo Dicaprio in his first movie role (#3)! Overall, I feel the movie is both fun & entertaining and as a child of the 80's, it certainly one of my favorites (mainly #2)! Careful, "they eat so fast, you don't have time to scream!"