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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
After a years-long wait, Warner Bros. brings Gremlins fans the return—or shall we say, introduction—of iconic children’s character, Gizmo. Now voiced by A.J. Locascio, the little monster is joined by human companions Sam Wing (voiced by Izaac Wang), Elle (voiced by Gabrielle Nevaeh Green), and others in Tze Chun’s animated adventure-fantasy comedy television program, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.
I got the chance to see the complete first season of this prequel series, and it is such a delight to see what the writers, animators, and voice actors have in store. Indeed, summer is off to a sweet start!
Discussion
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai has something to provide for the whole family. Children will be lured into this world of wonderful terror that older audiences know all too well. For those who have grown up watching Steven Spielberg films that got away with a PG rating until the emergence of PG-13, this is going to be quite the familiar ride. This streaming program is not without its Spielberg influences, such as The Goonies, Indiana Jones (notably The Temple of Doom), Hook, and Jurassic Park, and it shows. Secrets of the Mogwai takes its viewers through different towns, villages, realms, and worlds that are all connected somehow, and it is seamless.
The Journey Ahead
Chun and the writers deliver intriguing stories and tales that follow Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, going from Shanghai, taking us on a train ride to the land of the Mogwai, and back. The characters’ adventures are meaningful with basic lessons of courage and togetherness, which gradually build up into epic arcs about life and humanity. The season’s primary antagonist, Riley Greene (voiced by Matthew Rhys), is a menace when it comes to these themes. In fact, he comes off as a colonist in ways that I have come to recognize with other villains.
Secrets of the Mogwai does take some unfortunate twists and turns. Yet, they are not without the fantastic artwork from Tara Rueping and the animation team. There is an episode that feels like an episode of Ash vs Evil Dead, and another episode is colorful when it comes to bringing vitality and soulfulness to characters. Greene has moments where he comes off as a cross between Mortal Kombat‘s Shang Tsung and It‘s Pennywise. His fight scene with another adult character very early on is done with some of the most appealing visuals. The pilot comes off as a hit-or-miss. However, once we get to the first fight, the show really begins to progress in terms of pace. The show also pushes forth a fourth rule regarding the Mogwai, and it raises curiosity at how it plays into the season’s story.
Of course, this Gremlins-centric series also holds a lot of levity to be had. Sam and Elle (voiced by Gabrielle Nevaeh Green) have laughable chemistry, and I most especially like their brief exchange about bravery in the season finale. Hon Wing (voiced by B.D. Wong) is a good foil to Grandpa when it comes to male familial figures. The Gremlins themselves are as reckless as ever, but as a multitude, I do not think their number matches that of The New Batch.
The Cast and the Crew Behind Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai Season 1
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai features the voices of Izaac Wang as Sam Wing and Gabrielle Nevaeh Green as Elle.
James Hong voices Sam’s Grandpa. Ming-Na Wen and BD Wong voice Sam’s parents, Fong and Hon Wing, respectively.
Matthew Rhys voices the season’s primary antagonist, Riley Greene. A.J. Locascio takes Howie Mandel’s place as the voice of Gizmo, the main Mogwai of the series.
Other voices featured this season include Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Galligan, Grey Griffin/ DeLisle, Eric Bauza, Julie Nathanson, Randall Park, Sandra Oh, Calvin Shen, and more.
Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Sam Register, Tze Chun, and Brendan Hay serve as the executive producers. Joe Dante serves as the consulting producer, while Danielle Witz is the producer.
The episodic teleplays are written by Tze Chun, Brendan Hay, Anna Christopher, Sarah Nerboso, and Peter Chen. The directors consist of Michael Chang, Stephanie Gonzaga, Vaughn Ross, and Alexandra “Alex” Chiu.
Peter Chen, Anna Christopher, and Sarah Nerboso are the show’s staff writers.
Sarah Noonan and Agnes Kim are the casting directors. Kristi Reed does the voice direction for the actors.
Sherri Chung scores the music for the show. Tara Rueping serves as the art director.
Voice Performances and Character Developments
Sam Wing is an interesting protagonist, notably through his combination of perseverance and fearfulness. He often deals with living up to the words his grandfather taught him, which allows for rash decisions sometimes. Wang is a perfect choice for the voice role of this character, having seen him previously in 2019’s Good Boys. It would be interesting to see where the second season takes Sam, given the actor is entering teenagehood and the character eventually becomes the elderly tragic Mr. Wing that we know residing in Chinatown in the United States.
Elle is a neat character albeit with hubris, playing the role of Sam’s partner as they trek into the unknown. The writers dive into her backstory around the season’s midway point, which only renders her a great human being. She represents the logic and street smarts that Sam does not quite have. Elle often longs for true family and friends, which she slowly does with Sam and Gizmo.
Keep an eye out for Greene, who is a fierce and stunning human with a wicked god complex. He appears as an authentic Spielberg villain, joining the likes of Captain Hook and Irina Spalko. His quest for hunting Mogwai and Gremlins is terrifying; it is horrid how far he goes to fulfill his needs. More so, the show does not open itself up to the idea of a MacGuffin until he nears the end of his mission. The character’s motives are psychological but grounded for a family show.
Supporting Characters
Grandpa Wing (voiced by James Hong) has a hilarious ridiculousness—e.g. his proclivity for buying cheap to save more—but he possesses wisdom as well. As a mentor figure, he teaches his grandson, Sam, that “[m]agic is all around us, but you’ll never see it if you don’t go out and look.” Ming-Na Wen and BD Wong do not have much to do in this season, but that is due to a specific reason. The two actors make a great pair as the Wing parents, and Wen’s Fong is a nice parallel to Elle.
Randall Park has a voice role earlier on in the season. Although, sadly, he is not around much. His role is more revelatory and it comes at the ultimate price of being belittled. Sandra Oh has an excellent voice role as a character named Nuwa. I love what part she plays in the latter half of the season, and I can only expect to see more of her in the next season. Lastly, George Takei’s voice role might be a no-brainer, and it has big implications for later episodes of the show.
Final Thoughts on Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai Season 1
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is a crucial arrival worth endless weeks of patience. This season gets better with time, character-driven subplots, and vivid animation. The finale is written to be akin to the first Gremlins film, which is uncanny. That is not to mention that a few episodes grouped together feel like movies of their own.
The series is filled with horror elements and childlike fantasy enough to make a Millennial’s bones chill. Most importantly, it is a show about power, sacrifice, humility, and being content and whole with the human condition. It works great as a binge marathon. Although, if you can watch this weekly by the episode, then that is fine too!
Tze Chun’s Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai Season 1 streams via Max, formerly HBO Max, starting May 23rd!
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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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