Critters 2: The Main Course (1988)

April 29, 1988

Critters 2: The Main Course (also known as Critters 2) is a 1988 American science fiction comedy 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 in their reprising 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.

Storyline

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 Critters are still on Earth and must be destroyed. With that, they set a course for Earth. Noticing Charlie brooding, Ug enquires what is wrong. Charlie states his reluctance to going back after two years and asks, concerned, whether they would 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, and 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. Eventually the Critters make themselves known when they begin terrorizing the town, growing in large numbers. Lee is killed and devoured by the Critters, 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 Critter, they lead the Critters to a burger factory in an attempt to blow them up, but that fails and The Critters re-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 the town. Ug departs in a new spacecraft, still wearing the guise of Charlie.

Also See

• Critters (1986)
• Critters 3 (1991)
• Critters 4 (1992)
• Critters: A New Binge
• Critters Attack! (2019)

Sound Effects Used

• Hollywoodedge, Electricity Arcing 3 PE200301
• Hollywoodedge, Morning Park Birds Me PE010501
• Looney Tunes Explosion Sound 3
• Sound Ideas, BIRD, OWL - SINGLE OWL HOOTING, ANIMAL
• Sound Ideas, BIRD, ROOSTER - ROOSTER: TWO CALLS, ANIMAL
• Sound Ideas, BIRDS, VARIOUS - GENERAL AMBIENCE: OUTDOORS, RESIDENTIAL, ANIMAL, COUNTRY 03
• Sound Ideas, BOING, CARTOON - SPROING 01/Sound Ideas, BOING, CARTOON - BOING AND SPRING
• Sound Ideas, CARTOON, BIRD - HEAD BONK BIRDS CHIRPING
• Sound Ideas, COUNTRY, DAY - BIRDS, CRICKETS, STEADY BREEZE, AMBIENCE
• Sound Ideas, EXPLOSION - LARGE EXPLOSION 05 (Series 6000)
• Sound Ideas, FIRE, BALL - IMPACT AND LARGE FIRE BURST, RUMBLE
• Sound Ideas, GUN, HAND GUN - .44 MAGNUM: SINGLE SHOT 01?
• Sound Ideas, RICOCHET - CARTOON RICCO 02
• Sound Ideas, SPLAT, CARTOON - PAINT FIGHT GLOP 02 (Heard briefly, whenever the Critters gets killed by the Bounty Hunters.)
• Sound Ideas, ZIP, CARTOON - QUICK WHISTLE ZIP IN (Briefly heard once.)
• Tom Scream (The "shriek" sounds is used for the Critters.)