Rating: NR
Genre:
Thriller
Release Date: 10/11/2005
Dubbed: English
Distributor/Studio: Retromedia Entertainment
Hobgoblins is set in a dusty old movie studio. Years earlier, a horror film had been in the works, but production had suddenly and mysteriously shut down. The reason becomes obvious when the title characters escape from the studio vaults. Chaos ensues, not to mention panic and havoc. Say, this sounds an awful lot like
Gremlins, doesn't it?
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Featuring rotten writing, directing, acting, special effects, sets, costuming, and music, the bottom level
Gremlins rip off
Hobgoblins somehow remains not only watchable but totally enjoyable. Lampooned in a classic episode of
Mystery Science Theater 3000, writer, producer, and director
Rick Sloane has made what can only be called a solid masterpiece of a cinematic train wreck. For as much as the film hurts to watch, it is almost impossible to turn away from. Featuring production values that make the film appear as if it was made by teenagers in their parent's basement,
Hobgoblins features performances by the likes of
Kevin Bartlett and
Jeffrey Culver that are awful even by B-movie standards. The title beasts do not appear until an hour into the film, but when they do, they set the film on the extremely stupid track it stays on to the end. The hobgoblin alien creatures are basically stiff looking fuzzy puppets that inspire fear in the film's cast by being shook in their faces. The scene where the terrified screaming valley girl
Daphne (
Kelly Palmer) wrestles back and forth around on the ground with a motionless hobgoblin puppet is one no viewer will likely ever forget. For the brave few who can stomach it,
Hobgoblins is without a doubt, the best and worst low-budget killer puppet alien movie ever made.
~ Jason Gibner, All Movie Guide