In the 1980's there was an influx of 'little monster' films. They varied from the good (Gremlins) to...well the rest (Critters, Troll). There was also Ghoulies.
The first Ghoulies film was released in 1985 and starred former rock singer (and the guy who married Jimmy Page's ex, and was also replaced Robert Palmer in Power Station) Michael Des Barres and in a very small role Jack Nance (of David Lynch film fame).
The plot involves a young couple who move into a big old house and the guy in the couple becomes possessed by a need to control ancient demons (the Ghoulies), this all goes south when he manages to conjure the corpse of the man who also became possessed years ago (Des Barres).
These sort of films you really don't need much plot, and there really isn't here. And it comes with all the things you would expect - bad script, worse acting but Ghoulies problem is that for what it is it plays it all a bit straight and it's really a bit of a drag to watch in places. A serious lack of fun at times.
This is not the case for Ghoulies II. Released 2 years later, Ghoulies II stars Phil Fondacaro (one of cinema's go to little people) and Royal Dano. It was filmed for the cheap in Italy which seemed to be the way to go at that time (Troll 2 also was if I recall correctly)
There is barely any plot this time. The Ghoulies stow away on a lorry heading towards a funfair and cause hell in the spookhouse, then the entire fair. That is essentially it.
The film is a blast and gives the audience exactly what they want - Ghoulies killing people! And at one point high fiving which is certainly worth a rewind.
Ghoulies II also benefits from an original song from W.A.S.P. on the soundtrack, the fun albeit totally generic cock rock song 'Scream Until You Like It', the video of which you can see below.
Ghoulies **
Ghoulies II ***
After the less than fun original, the franchise aims for fun and delivers. Next up? They go to college!
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