Goobers!
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Goobers! is a 1997 movie that was originally called Mystery Monsters; the title and font on the packaging of the DVD and streaming versions now looks suspiciously similar to the font used in the popular '80s movie The Goonies. Aside from this, there are scenes where the monsters (or "Goobers") smoke cigars, and some very tame scares from the two antagonists as they speak in bad fake Russian accents. More importantly, the acting is terrible, and none of the characters are likeable, and it's impossible to determine what one should feel about the Goobers. Are they as evil as they look, or are they simply misunderstood screw-ups from another planet? Either way, it's difficult for parents or kids to care all that much. This one is just plain bad.
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best. movie. ever
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What's the Story?
Tommy, the newest cast member of the popular childrens' program "Cap'n Mike's Goobers Show!," is excited and eager to be a part of the show and curious about the special effects employed. He is especially curious about the "Goobers," three strange creatures named Squidgy, Blop, and Esmerelda. Cap'n Mike's (Michael Dennis) off-camera threats and warnings to Tommy to leave him and the Goobers alone merely enhances Tommy's curiosity. While spying in Cap'n Mike's dressing room, Tommy begins to learn that the Goobers aren't special effects, but real. At the same time, Queen Mara (Caroline Ambrose) and her lackey Groon have come to Earth to reclaim the Goobers to reenslave them on their home planet. As Tommy begins to see the goodness inside the Goobers, he must find a way to protect them from Queen Mara and Cap'n Mike, enlisting the help of the other two kids on the show, Susie (Ashley Lyn Cafagna), and the bratty child star Jimmy.
Is It Any Good?
GOOBERS! is a low-budget movie where none of the characters are especially likeable, including the titular monsters themselves. Are they as evil as they look? Or are they misunderstood aliens far from home? They don't get enough time in the movie to make the audience care one way or the other what they are.
The attempts at humor fall flat, the "scares" are laughably tame, and the acting is terrible across the board. All of these elements combine to make this film pretty much unwatchable. Also, the title was changed from the original title (Mystery Monsters) to a title made to look more like the font and packaging of The Goonies. There is nothing worthwhile about this movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bad movies. What are some things about a movie that might make it "bad?"
How does this film compare to other movies in which funny-looking monsters are central to the story?
Why do you think they changed the title of the movie and changed the packaging of the DVD and streaming movies to make it look more like a popular, similar-sounding movie title?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 29, 1997
- On DVD or streaming: June 19, 2012
- Cast: Ashley Lyn Cafagna, Caroline Ambrose, Michael Dennis
- Director: Charles Band
- Studio: Full Moon Features
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: mild language, violence, and brief crude humor
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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