The spirit of Easter is embodied in the story of Critters 2.
And how many Christmas movies do we really need?
But is there a perfect movie for Easter?
Critters 2: The Main Course(1988)
ItsCritters 2: The Main Course(1988).
The Eggs Are Obvious
Colorful eggs are the most instantly recognizable symbol of Easter.
But while the preacher is preaching, the eggs hatch.
An Easter egg hunt is a brilliant way to re-introduce the Crites in this sequel.
The continuity is smart, and the connection to Easter is incredibly fun.
Obscure origins and colorful eggs tie the critters to Easter traditions in ways many people might not even realize.
The Crite eggs look like Easter eggs in their natural state. They’re a pastel green with darker spots, and their texture makes them perfect for decorating.
At least, from a more fundamental perspective.
Whether you believe in the story of Jesus or not, thats what the root of the holiday is.
Ive already discussed the eggs above, so lets move on to the rabbits.
This kid escapes attack by throwing the egg out of a window when he accidentally breaks it.
InCritters 2, the town sheriff dresses up as the Easter Bunny.
In their eyes, the Easter Bunny is dead.
Slightly more subtle is howCritters 2satirizes traditional Easter meals.
The eggs are sold for a couple cases of beer and a few Playboy magazines.
About halfway throughCritters 2, the ravenous Crites gather in a diner and gorge themselves on hamburgers.
Of course hamburgers arent actually ham, but the name is the connection.
Afterwards, Ug says that Crites feed together.
Is Easter about bunnies and eggs?
Eat like a family.
Theres also at least one more subtle dissection of Easter traditions.
Early in the film, a little girl has a Crite egg that shes decorated.
The Easter Bunny crashes through a church window, knocking over a cross on his way to the floor.
She also has a chocolate bunny, another staple of Easter.
When the girl goes to bed, she sets the egg and the bunny down next to a vent.
The egg hatches a critter, and the chocolate melts.
The Crites enjoy a family meal on Easter Sunday. The red you see is ketchup.
Two Easter traditions, turned into something horrific (or at least unpleasant).
Well, I would suggest that challenging tradition is a good enough reason to call it perfect.
But heres something else.Critters 2actually alludes to the story of Jesuss resurrection.
An egg hatches as a bunny melts.
Ill gladly admit that Im no theologian, but I know the basics of the story.
To grossly oversimplify, Jesus was betrayed, he died, and then he came back.
Easter commemorates that last part, and two separate characters inCritters 2embody a similar idea.
If the Crites represent a sin, it’s gluttony.
Harv (Barry Corbin) is the former sheriff of Grovers Bend.
Metaphorically, he died, and his tomb is a rundown trailer.
About two-thirds of the way throughCritters 2, Harv returns to his former life.
Harv initially refuses his calling.
Harv is a symbol for the people.
Their faith in the church was shattered when the Easter bunny crashed through the window and died.
Now their faith resides in the resurrected Sheriff Harv who helps rally the townsfolk into fighting back.
Sheriff Harv leads his flock into battle.
The other Jesus allusion belongs to Charlie (Don Opper).
Now back in Grovers Bend inCritters 2, Charlie once again struggles with self-confidence.
Is hereallygood enough to be an interplanetary bounty hunter?
In this moment, it appears as if Charlie sacrificed himself for the good of the citizens of Grover’s Bend, people who had not always treated him well.
Charlie proves himself by making the ultimate sacrifice when he crashes the bounty hunters ship into the remaining Crites.
To everyones surprise, the next morning Charlie returns, alive and well.
Dont Take It Too Seriously
This article is meant to be a bit of fun.
In the morning sun, Charlie returns.
I was surprised by how much of it works in that context.
Did the filmmakers intend for all of the parallels between the movie and the holiday?
Some connections are on purpose, absolutely.
The critter ball is always one of the most fun moments in aCrittersmovie.
Critters 2is a silly sci-fi horror comedy about furry aliens who eat people.
Its not meant to be taken too seriously.
But personally, I seriously enjoy it and have talked myself into making it a yearly Easter tradition.
Crittersis an underrated franchise.
