Little Monsters

In the realm of late 80s entertainment, the movie “Little Monsters” offers a unique blend of comedy, fantasy, and mild horror, perfect for a family movie night. Directed by Richard Greenberg, this 1989 American comedy film stars Fred Savage, Howie Mandel, and Daniel Stern in principal roles.

The main protagonist of the movie is Brian Stevenson, a character played by the versatile child actor of the time, Fred Savage. Brian is an intelligent, energetic, and imaginative preteen boy struggling with his parents' potential divorce and a recent move to a new town. Brian's world takes a mysterious turn with the discovery of Maurice (Howie Mandel), a blue-skinned creature, under his bed. Instead of being a creepy nightmare fuel, Maurice quickly becomes Brian's partner-in-crime and a friend, opening his eyes to an unimaginable world full of surreal adventures and surprise.

The creature is a part of the mystical monster world that coexists and interacts with the human world through the portal under kids' beds. Powered by the limitless realm of childhood imagination, this monster world where everything is possible, opens up only during the nighttime. The nocturnal life of Maurice and the way he thrives on the energy of keeping things disorderly and fun is a fascinating take on the traditional monster stories, making the film a whimsical blend of fantasy and fright.

Howie Mandel's performance as Maurice is eccentric, engaging, and brilliantly amusing. He manages to embody the sneaky, sly, and playful nature of a harmless monster impeccably, causing chaos, creating messes, and pulling pranks when kids are asleep. This playful chaos Maurice and Brian cause in the human world forms the core of much of the film’s humor, creating sequences that are genuinely hilarious and entertaining.

Fred Savage as Brian is the heart of the film. Savage masterfully portrays a realistically-rounded character dealing with the emotional turmoil of an unstable home while also navigating this new exciting, fantastical world. His relationship with the rowdy Maurice, his younger brother Eric (played by Savage’s real-life younger brother Ben), and his dedicated dad Glen (Daniel Stern) form multiple threads of heartwarming and worrisome relationships that weave together throughout the movie.

Contributing to the film's essence is the colorful, bizarre, and captivating set design of the monster world that intrigues kids and adults alike. It vividly presents an oddball underworld beneath the beds filled with bizarre creatures, outlandish settings, and plenty of peanut-butter-and-onion sandwiches (Maurice’s favorite). However, the film also depicts the underlying danger beneath the surface level fun. The darker tones to the narrative remind the audience of the classic bedtime stories where the line between excitement and nightmare is continuously blurring, hence keeping the audience at the edge of their seat.

Though categorized as a comedy, the movie touches on more profound themes that resonate with a wide range of audiences. The struggle of a child trying to comprehend the complexities of adult problems such as divorce, the unique camaraderie between siblings, the childlike fear of monsters and darkness, and the transition from childhood to adolescence-- all find a place in this movie. The film provides an innovative perspective on the traditional concept of the "monster under the bed", making viewers question who the real monsters are.

At its core, “Little Monsters” lays a strong emphasis on family relationships and their significance. Daniel Stern, playing the role of Brian's father, adds a depth to the usually overlooked character in fantasy films. His portrayal of a dedicated father trying hard to keep his family together in challenging times is commendable. While navigating the thrilling, humor-filled monster world, the film continuously keeps reminding us of the real world's problems, creating a mesmerizing balance between imagination and reality.

With a running time of 102 minutes, the movie “Little Monsters” is a formative experience, like a roller coaster ride filled with awe, laughter, trepidation, and various underlying themes. Despite its release more than three decades ago, its charm has not faded; it still entertains and strikes a chord with viewers of all ages. Above all, it is a journey that tests the boundaries between imagination and reality, childhood and growing up, dread and delight, stitched beautifully into the world of monsters, fun, and family. It’s certainly a film worth a watch for fans of comedy and fantasy genres.