Mariska Hargitay Movie:

		List Price: $14.98		Label: MGM (Video & DVD) Salesrank: 26889 Released: August 26, 2003
		Our Price: $2.99
		Used Price: $1.98
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
GHOULIES GHOULIES 2

Ghoulies/Ghoulies 2 Reviews:
How could we not watch the film that inspired Hobgoblins?
2009-10-14 - With Octoberfest horror film number 14 it was about time to go with a nice creature feature. Having such a huge variety of b creature flicks to choose from we decided to go with somewhat of a cult classic known as Ghoulies from 1985. Really combining many essentials like killer hand puppets, horrible 80's actors, and a couple of dwarfs (considered elves to us of course)is what gave it the green light. Not to mention we believe this had to be the inspiration for the creation of Hobgoblins four years later. So due to this thought we will be taking a different approach with this review by awarding one of these two films king of the killer puppet b.

Ghoulies starts off with Jonathan (who looks like a b Eric Roberts if that's possible) and his lady Rebeca who are college kids. When Jonathan inherits his deceased sorcerer fathers house he takes the semester off to fix it up. Only he finds some black magic books and becomes obsessed with the blacks arts. Long story short, he throws a sweet 80's party and plays a little game with his good time buddies bringing the ghoulies and a couple elf servants out from their dark depths. The rest is filled with b hand puppet action and his father coming back from the dead to take care of biz. Naturally despite the evil Dad's powers, Johnathan and his buddies somehow manage to get through the ordeal to never to be heard from again amongst the film community.

As far as ghoulies goes it was about what we were expecting. Very entertaining especially from the overwhelming 80's vibe going on. There were a handful of dull parts but was pretty fun with moments of boozing, reefer smoking, great possessed green eye effects, elf servants, AC Slater like sunglasses with windshield wiper blades, and very cheap creature action. For anyone to bash it is somewhat ridiculous for the sheer fact of the films basis. You should know what you're gonna get just from the description and cover. Now for who will reign supreme is a tough question. See Hobgoblins is a Sid favorite, but only the MST3K version. If that version goes up against Ghoulies it wins hands down. But to be fair and just take the original films themselves Ghoulies wins hands down for killer puppet b. It was a close race, but the elves gave it the edge. How could it not?







Where Is Ghoulies 3?
2009-04-24 - Where is Ghoulies 3, the best of the series? They released 1, 2 & 4 but no 3!!

Who puts up the money for this stuff?
2009-03-26 - When you hear the name "Ghoulies" or simply glance at the DVD cover art, your first instinct would probably be that this movie is some third rate knockoff of Gremlins or Critters, and to a very small extent you may be right. But you would also be surprised that Ghoulies is largely a tale revolving around black magic and satanic rituals with the "ghoulies" simply being an afterthought. Either way it doesn't quite matter because the movie is terrible in too many ways to name.

We begin with a wizard sacrificing his son in a satanic ritual, only to have the mother intervene and save the child which prompts the removal of her heart. Fast forward many years later where the child from the ritual, now a grown college-age man, has inherited the estate of his father. After cleaning up a bit around the house, he comes across numerous books about black magic, and in a matter of days becomes completely absorbed in his father's world of evil. After performing a number of rituals from the books in his basement, he conjures up the ghoulies, small vicious little creatures that serve as his minions. In one of the strangest events I've ever seen in a movie, he also conjures two midgets dressed as vikings that also exist to serve him (?). As he delves even deeper he eventually takes things too far and raises his zombified father from the dead. He must then attempt to stop his father from reincarnating himself through his own son...Or something like that...

It's very difficult to understand how anyone could have thought that it was a good idea to make this movie as it is thoroughly mediocre and barely even lives up to what its title suggests it is about. The ghoulie effects are just god awful and look about as realistic as something you would find in a department store around Halloween. As far as the acting goes, just imagine a group of people getting together and having an over-acting competition. Believe me, there would be no clear-cut winner here. I think the main offense that Ghoulies commits is that it takes itself completely seriously. Had it taken a more tongue-in-cheek approach, then perhaps it could have gone on to be more reputable as a b-movie.

As far as Ghoulies 2 goes, I saw it half a life time ago and all I remember is a typical stalk and kill at a carnival. At least it lives up to what the title suggest sbetter than the original. However I'm only reviewing this double DVD set because there is no individual release for Ghoulies.

As it is, Ghoulies is a laugh-out-loud bad piece of 80's horror. This is easily a one star movie, but when taking into consideration the entertainemnt it unintentionally provides, I think another star is warranted. On a more interesting note the cast features Mariska Hargitay of Law and Order SVU as well as Jack Nance of Eraserhead, although their roles are considerably small. Recommended for a good laugh, or if you have ever had a desire to see two midgets in viking outfits hitting puppets with sticks. For horror, avoid.

An Overlooked Classic
2008-06-23 - Let me start off by saying that if you're not a fan of really cheesey low budget 80's films, then i will tell you stay away from these films. However since i am a nerd for that kind of stuff, this in my opinion is an overlooked classic. I could barely remember it was really very vague, but i was around six or seven years old and happened to remember bits and peices of 'ghoulies II', for my mum was a lover of cheesey B-movies (i suppose i inherited that trait, my dad hates them). So she rented it in the days of the wonderful vhs when this movie was fairly new. Like i said i remembered bits and peices of the second ghoulies. Well lo and behold i found the two wonderful titles in one package here some 16 years later on dvd and I am so overjoyed I did. Upon watching 'ghoulies II' I was remembering scenes from when I first saw those many years ago. I must say I love it even more as an adult. Though it was my first viewing of 'ghoulies' part 1, I have to say that I thouroughly enjoyed that one as well, I am a huge Michael De Barres fan (from his great MacGyver days as villan Murdoc) and it was all in all a good film. But yes 'ghoulies II is a better film. I believe in my opinion for the first film, they tried a more serious approach and it just didn't work, and the second one they knew that and just went more for laughs, and they succeeded greatly. Watching 'ghoulies II' next, was just great. Every thing this low budget horror/comedy fan could ask for. I ecspecially enjoyed the character of Nigel the dwarf. So in closing, 'ghoulies II' brought back so many memories for me, and I love it even more 16 years later. So if you are new to the 'ghoulies' get this package with parts one and two, i promise you will laugh, love it and will not be dissapointed.

More 80s horror
2007-06-14 - If your a fan of 80s horror, then these two films you should remember while growing up during the 80s. Classics no doubt, but, not great films. If you love those wonderful "B" type films you find on your local horror hosts shows, then you'll sink your teeth into these film. Well worth the money and highly recommended !!