Critters 4: They're Invading Your Space (1992)

   

Directed by: Rupert Harvey

Written by: Joseph Lyle & David J. Schow

Produced & Story by:
Rupert Harvey & Barry Opper

Starring:

Don Keith Opper .... Charlie McFadden
Paul Whitthorne .... Ethan
Angela Bassett .... Fran
Eric DaRe .... Bernie
Brad Dourif .... Al Bert
Anders Hove .... Rick

Special Appearance:

Terrence Mann .... Counsellor Tetra / Ug

Release Date: Direct-to-Video: August 22, 1992 (Germany)

 

Rating:

 

Just before bounty hunter Charlie (Don Keith Opper) triggers his gun to destroy the last two Critter-eggs, he gets a message from Ug (Terrence Mann) that it would be illegal to extinguish the race from the galaxy.
He is sent in space with a transporter with the eggs in a deep sleep and awakens 53 deep-frozen years later in a ship with a half dozen of people in a private wreckage heading to Earth as they never have discovered their own home planet.
Unfortuantely the eggs have hatched and the Krites are on the loose laying more eggs and planning to take over the ship as well as feasting on anyone there.
At first the crew of the ship thinks that Charlie is a suspect after their crazed captain named Rick (Anders Hove) was killed but then they experience these creatures killing another one of their crew member as well so they plan to snuff them out before they are next.

 

A nice beginning where the last sequel left off with Charlie McFadden looking around the suite for Krites and was nicely touched with a computer effect showing Ug's image appearing talking to him about his next mission.
He is taken in a pod to outerspace as the scene looked well done for it's low budget but he goes into the far future while the opening credits opccur which seemed necessary to have.
Then a ship discovers the pod with a group of people residing having argumentive discussions. Especially an asshole of a captain named Rick as this really makes things rolling wondering as to what will become of him.
While they capture the pod they try to pry it open with their lasers in which looked entertaining to watch in a half decent sci fi type of fashion.
Then Charlie comes out and it looked quite cheesy as to how he presents himself and wondering how long he's been in space as well as discussing the Krites eggs he has with him.
A nice shot on Fran showering while Rick shows pleasant expressions making out for him to join her but while we watch the outcome of this we get a feeling that she will attack him while we watch carefully as to what we spot here. Was well done.
There's a good discussion scene between Ethan and Rick alone together with Rick acting crazy with his actions along with getting a chilling feeling that he will be violent in which I had a feeling he will get what's coming to him very soon. This situation was carefully drawn in.
Funny but gruesome looking shot of a baby Krite charging into Rick's mouth. For anyone who has a bit of a strong stomach or doesn't like painful results this scene isn't for you.
Then Charlie and Ethan are stuck in a trash compartment trying to get out. It was supposed to make you watch carefully by wondering if they will get out before this stuff gets dumped into space but lacked inspiration. Their panicked actions seemed fairly solid though.
It's interesting when two Krites hatch and then hours later they're full grown and manage to use a computer on the ship for their next plan which shows how smart they are by not having an older Krite teaching them. This is a case of bad writing folks.
One of the people in the ship Bernie is in an area trying to dig up some pills and Al Bert tries to warn him that two Krites are heading his way and to get out quick. Sound familiar to another outerspace horror flick that we all remember??? This scene I must tell you isn't as dark or horrifying.
Nice shot on two Krites leaping on Bernie with him spinning around crying in pain.
When everyone thinks they're safe when Ug's ship arrives it certain offers an evil twist as we all remember him as the hero in the first two movies and boy does this moment ever tease you as to why he is behaving like this. The moments here looks very dark and powerful.
Bottom line is that this back to back sequel was an improvement yet it takes almost forever for the Krites to come and wreck terror and havoc. This flick can easily be considered an Alien clone as it had similar elements to it as the people in the future are aboard a ship with some alien creatures stalking around and they plan to blow it up. However, they do add some different elements too like an avil bounty hunter climbing on board and other stuff like that. Let's hope this film will be the last one though as the story became terribly trite and bland.

The acting is powerfully good with a great experiences cast involved. Don Keith Opper (Charlie McFadden) made up for his performance and knew how to act energetic and nutty as ever. Seems to show some great energetic action using a gun or getting violent when the terror starts.
Teenage actor Paul Whitthorne (Ethan) is dynamic with his energy as well as the youngest crew member on the ship and could have had a promising acting career.
Does well with his nervous frustrations trying to control an elevator in the ship. He also does well by screeching towards someone telling him that he is not his father when he tries to hunt a Krite down.
Angela Bassett
(Fran) pulled her weight perfectly and portrayed her role well by being tough when she needed to be. She was very sharp in her performance and getting to the lowdown. She especially was great with her powerful speaking especially quarter way through the story in which she shows off a believeable tough and courageous attitude.
Brad Dourif (Al Bert) Shows a nice stiff attitude as well as showing off a hyped out energy in which he does well in a certain scene when he tries to call for someone and warns him that some Krites are coming towards his way. Shows off a believeable patient and intelligent attitude as well.
Anders Hove
(Rick) was perfect playing an arrogant and crazy captain of the ship. He looked great by trying to blast open a stowaway crater with a laser gun expressing some anger there. Was terrific with his violent and sleazy attitude too. Plus had the right rough looks and appeal to portray a perfect asshole.
Terrence Mann
(Counsellor Tetra / Ug) was different with his character this time turning evil and seems to portray that part alot better.
He appeared very well after aboarding the ship and acting evil towards everyone with his screaming and being demanding to find the eggs of the Crites. He did well by striking someone as well.

There's a butt shot on Angela Bassett while taking a shower.

A Crite bounces into someone's mouth eating him away as well as another one chewing apart his neck with bloody results.

The music is alot better and fits with the story by Peter Manning Robinson and I can tell you that he doesn't sound at all cheap with his composing. Alot of nice outerspace type of music which blends in nicely. Plus some guitar twanging music too especially during the very beginning of the film. Nice effective low sounding synthesizer music for the creepy moments. Not only that, some great vocal smooth harmonising which breezes in perfectly.

Ethan: I guess Rick's had a little too much coffee again?
Al Bert: Rick has got a bug up his butt. See. He's gone and discovered himself a magnetic space anomaly. And he's gotten stiff in the jock.

Fran: Asshole!
Al Bert: Eh, Captain asshole.

Al Bert: Congratulations, Charlie, you have just murdered the ship.

Charlie: You an alien?
Ethan: No, do I look like one?

Al Bert: Rick and Bernie are dead. For all I know we may have been infected by some alien germ. So unless anyone else has another suggestion, I propose that we just hole up here and wait for them to come rescue us. They will be here any minute.
Ethan: Yeah. If we don't blow up first.