‘Gremlins 2′ Famously “Killed” Film Critic Leonard Maltin Over a Negative Review – and He Played Along
In a rare instance of a film directly responding to critical feedback, 1990’s Gremlins 2: The New Batch featured the on-screen “death” of renowned film critic Leonard Maltin at the hands of director Joe Dante.The meta-moment, born from Maltin’s less-than-eager review of the original Gremlins, became one of the sequel’s most celebrated and enduring legacies, showcasing a playful relationship between filmmaker and critic.
Maltin’s cameo, where he’s brutally critiqued and than seemingly dispatched by a gremlin, wasn’t born of animosity but rather a shared sense of humor. The incident highlights a unique moment in film history where a critic willingly participated in a comedic jab at his own profession,solidifying his reputation for good sportsmanship and self-awareness. The story continues to resonate with fans as a testament to the film’s irreverent spirit and Maltin’s willingness to poke fun at himself.
The original Gremlins received mixed reviews, and Maltin’s assessment wasn’t particularly glowing. Dante, known for his playful and subversive filmmaking style, decided to address the criticism head-on in the sequel. He approached Maltin with the idea of being “killed” in a comedic scene, and the critic readily agreed.
The scene unfolds with Maltin appearing on a movie review set, only to be interrupted by gremlins who subject him to a scathing review of his own critiques. He’s then seemingly devoured, a moment that became instantly iconic. Maltin himself later acknowledged the gag, even reprising the role in a 2019 appearance on the YouTube program “The Movie Trivia Schmoedown,” where he delivered a negative review of a contestant’s entrance, echoing his Gremlins 2 fate. A clip of the cameo is available online.
Despite his initial reservations about the first Gremlins, Maltin ultimately gave Gremlins 2 a positive review, awarding it three stars. He did, however, note the film’s abundance of cameos as a minor criticism. Throughout his decades-long career, maltin remained a respected and honest voice in film criticism, and his extensive reviews can still be found on his website, LeonardMaltin.com. The Gremlins 2 incident serves as a reminder that even the most discerning critics can appreciate a good joke – especially when they’re the punchline.
