Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go To College
For the dedicated fans of the Ghoulies franchise, the debate over which entry is the best can be fierce. But for this particular viewer, the argument is clear: Ghoulies III is without a doubt, the strongest entry in the series … so far. Moving out of home, away from Charles Band to Vestron Pictures, the third film in the macabre misadventure injects a significant amount of energy and distinctiveness into the formula, successfully carving out its own unique identity.
What truly sets Ghoulies III apart, in contrast to its contemporaries, is its commitment to a specific, high-octane comedic tone. While Gremlins 2 leaned heavily into broad, sometimes confusing comedy and featured a notably sanitised approach (especially compared to the first film), and Critters 3 and 4 seemed to grow weary of the formula, becoming more serious or repetitive after the second film’s increased silliness, Ghoulies III doubles down on the absurdity, leaning fully into its potential as Animal House meets Gremlins.
Directed by the late make-up extraordinaire John Carl Buechler, fresh from Friday the 13th: The New Blood, and written by one film wonder Brent Olson, the film leans into its campus setting with gusto with the Ghoulies themselves adopting the persona of the Three Stooges. Imagine the infamous fraternity house from Animal House, complete with hazing rituals and questionable authority, but this time infused with the relentless, childlike terror and physical comedy of the Gremlins films. This is where Ghoulies III truly excels, finding a winning formula that feels both familiar and fresh.
The Ghoulies themselves are, as expected, wreaking havoc. But the surrounding human comedy is equally, if not more, entertaining. The film is populated with a vibrant, fun, and varied collection of characters, all contributing to the chaotic atmosphere. Leading this ensemble is Kevin McCarthy (of the classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers) as Professor Charles Grady, an eccentric, chain-smoking, perpetually flustered academic who becomes the unlikely target of the Ghoulies’ pranks. McCarthy absolutely nails the role, bringing his signature deadpan delivery and embracing the sheer absurdity of the situation with relish. It’s a truly legendary performance that will never be appreciated by the scholars.
The supporting cast is also notable for its future talent and charming performances. Jason Scott Lee (who would play Bruce Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story) has a memorable role as the Hi-Fi loving geek. Matthew Lillard, who would become the ultimate “dumb frat guy” archetype, pops up briefly as one of the hazing victims. Hope Marie Carlton has a significant amount of screen time as the energetic sexpot, and ultimately doomed slut. Her character’s memorable, darkly funny exit is a highlight of the film, showcasing a comic book humour within the film’s juvenile framework.
Now, delving into the heart of the matter: Ghoulies III is undeniably juvenile. It follows the first film in its delightfully dumb approach, packing its runtime with juvenile humour, physical gags, and a complete lack of subtlety. This commitment to being brazenly brainless is, in fact, its greatest strength. It’s pure, unadulterated, 80s-style exploitation comedy. While we can now recognise some of the humour (including certain dated tropes and, unfortunately, problematic elements like gay panic and sexual assault jokes) as outdated, the film was clearly intended to be mindless fun. It’s a cheap giggle, sure, but an effective one.
There are moments where the comedy genuinely works, physical gags land, character-based jokes (mostly aimed at the hapless students) are effective, and the performances, particularly McCarthy’s and the ensemble, sell the juvenile script with earnestness. The juvenile nature, however, is also its most glaring weakness. It lacks sophistication and doesn’t hold up well to modern sensibilities.
While the leads (Evan MacKenzie as Skip, and Eva LaRue as Erin are fairly standard-issue for the time, the real charm lies in the background characters and the sheer energy of the film. Patrick Labyerteaux’s character, Mookey (what a name!) feels like it might have had more potential; his performance suggests an underlying narrative strand that could have been exploited further, though it ultimately goes nowhere, leaving a slight sense of missed opportunity.
Ultimately, Ghoulies III stands tallest in the franchise. It’s a high-spirited, gloriously stupid, and surprisingly effective piece of late-80s horror-comedy. Its commitment to its frat house premise, coupled with strong direction and unexpectedly decent performances, makes it standout. It proved taking the risk and deviating from the norm could elevate the formula beyond just creature features into a unique comedic beast. While perhaps less sophisticated than its peers, its relentless energy and embrace of its own silliness make it the definitive Ghoulies entry for any fan of over-the-top, juvenile fun.
Ghoulies III has reached blu-ray twice, US only. Vestron carries the most recent and desirable release but it’s comes at a price, a pretty hefty price, like all of Vestron now.
