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Little Monsters Movie Review

Little Monsters

PG
Some friends can be REAL MONSTERS. And some monsters can be REAL FRIENDS.
Little Monsters Picture

Starring

Fred Savage, Howie Mandel, Amber Barretto, William Murray Weiss

Ben Savage, Devin Ratray, Frank Whaley, Rick Ducommun, Daniel Stern, Margaret Whitton, J. Michael Hunter, Tom Hull, Magbee, Lisa Cain, Tony Bonsignore, Dana Wood, Byron Faler, Doug Turner, Donna Strickland, Howard Spiegel Update Cast


Rewind Archive
In the original script...
...Maurice wore a robe, and when the lights came on, all of the monsters formed into a literal "pile of clothes", instead of just their outfit. The monsters running amock wearing robes could have been an homage to Maurice's outfit in the original script. That, or they just ran out of costumes for the extras. ;)
...Brian and Maurice talk about the fact that Maurice was once human. In the movie, it isn't touched on (You must assume that all monsters were humans once, although you can interpret Maurice's "At least you have a family." line as implying that he once was human and had a family.).
...Boy was written as an actual "boy"-- He was around Brian's age (I'm assuming) and carried a marionette with him.
...The movie was a lot darker. It was a lot more mature, and less "kiddy". Maurice was less of the "mischievous but good-hearted monster" and more of the "pretends to be Brian's friend to trick him but then learns to be the good guy in the end monster." The extra monsters played more of a role in the movie.
...Snik was the run-of-the-mill dumb-as-a-brick minion. In the movie, he was a lot smarter (For instance, he could form coherent sentences.).
...The ending was not the same. Brian was written out as a meaner character (for instance, he caused trouble and tormented his brother, and he disliked Kiersten intensely). The reason Brian couldn't get through the portal out from under the bed was because he had learned to be a kinder person, and was no longer a "monster". Maurice doesn't save the day by using a flamethrower, but instead uses a brilliant plan involving doors (You really should read it. I loved the flamethrower, but I thought the plan in the original script was even better). Instead of parting ways, Brian tells Maurice, "catch ye' later" and Maurice replies with, "Not if I catch you first."
...Todd had a bigger role. Instead of depending on the time zones and racing to California, Todd sets up a cot and creates a portal for Brian to get back through.
...Brian had a relationship with his grandfather, who had passed away and left him a watch. Maurice steals the watch, but then returns it later. In the movie, the watch is left out, and is replaced with the remote control. Brilliant.
...Ronnie Coleman doesn't intentionally help them. Instead, Maurice tricks the monsters chasing Brian, Kiersten, and Todd into going to Ronnie's house, where he proceeds to beat them with a baseball bat.
...Maurice mentions "doll dismemberment", which (I'm assuming) was the job of a character named Billy. In the postal office scene in the movie, Maurice and Brian turn over a basket with dismembered doll parts in it.


More Trivia from Little Monsters

Review

If you ever find yourself browsing the rental store shelves and come across Little Monsters, don't hesitate to give it a try! I have to admit, it's not for everyone, so if you don't have a weird sense of humor, it might not be as enjoyable. For those of you who do like movies that are out of the norm, then look no further than this little gem.

Here's the lowdown: Fred Savage plays Brian Stevenson, a bright young kid (Like you thought Fred Savage would play anything but?) who has just moved to a new town. He's always getting blamed for things, even when he doesn't cause the problem.

As it turns out, all of these problems are caused by monsters and as it also turns out, the monster causing trouble at Brian's house is coming out of the floor under his brother's bed. When Eric (the brother; he's played by a young, cute-as-a-button Ben Savage) pays Brian to spend the night in his room, Brian gets more than he bargains for. Something is in the room and something is causing trouble for him.

So Brian sets up a monster trap. What does he catch? Well, a monster. And this monster's about to get fried by some sunlight, but Brian is a fair guy, so he puts him back under the bed and saves him from a sure demise.

The monster is Maurice (played by the always funny Howie Mandel) and, well, once you get past the whole, "framing you for stuff you didn't do" thing, he's really a nice guy . . . monster . . . whatever. And he takes Brian under the bed through a portal into a world full of monsters. Staircases in that universe lead to beds all over the world and monsters use them to cause havoc and mischief. Just 'cause. Oh and in this universe, there's an endless supply of junk food, stuffed animals, games and fun, not to mention monsters of all shapes and sizes.

While Brian and Maurice have great fun causing trouble for other kids, Brian soon discovers that if this continues, he'll become a monster himself! Add to that, the fact that Boy (played by Frank Whaley; he rules the monster universe) has kidnapped Brian's brother! Now Brian must take some responsiblity and with the help of Eric's best friend, Todd (played by William Murray Weiss), his love interest, Keirsten (played by Amber Barretto), the school bully, Ronnie (played by Devin Ratray) and, of course, Maurice, he's gotta save his brother and get out of the monster universe before they're trapped and become monsters forever.

Did you read that all in one breath? Good, I haven't lost you then.

It might seem cheesy, but the story really does have heart. It isn't all fun and games, as it has its serious moments, too. Brian and Eric have trouble dealing with their parents' fighting and near-divorce, as well as dealing with, well, each other. Brian finds comfort in Maurice, showing that it's good to have a friend, even if they are blue and eat batteries.

Author: Obscurus LupaUpdate This Review

Verdict

Whether you get your kicks from pranks involving replacing apple juice with urine (The kid drinks it!), or just like a story about being a kid, Little Monsters is a fun movie for the whole family (Okay, so you probably should watch the little ones--There's swearing and explosions!).

It does get a bit weird, but it's a fun ride overall.

The good parts? What I got from it was: Sometimes, it's just good to let loose, step on some toes and be a kid.
The downside would be how little they used Boy in the movie. He's the main nemesis, but if you don't listen closely, you won't even know the movie had anything to do with him until he shows up for the two finale battles.

Rewind Rating

9.4/10

The Movie Data

Key Crew

Director: Richard Greenberg
Writer: Terry Rossio, Ted Elliott
Producers: Dori Berinstein, Mitchell Cannold, John Davis, Jack Grossberg, Andrew Licht, Jeffrey A. Mueller
Locations Manager:


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Data

Release Date: 25 Aug 1989
MPAA Rating: PG
Studio: United Artists
Production: Davis Entertainment, Licht/Mueller Film Corporation, Vestron Pictures Ltd.
Genre: Action / Adventure


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The Movie Trailer
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1989 United Artists
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