Two protagonists that are just normal people? A woman who helps without overshadowing the others, or being seen as a TnA attraction (despite spending a portion of the movie without pants)? Side characters that are quirky, realistic, and human, not punchlines or political movements? A monster that is imposing, threatening, and intelligent without being sentient (like a real life animal)? I love this damn movie.

Drinker: "take notes modern Hollywood" Modern Hollywood: "naw it'll be fine"

An amazing movie based on the floor is lava, pure genius.

I liked the fact that Rhonda isn't a can-do-anything-science-related scientist that you see in so many movies (cough cough Tony Stark). She's a specialist in a field and doesn't know everything about everything, just like real scientists. She straight up says "Why do you keep asking me?" She isn't a magical movie scientist that has a PhD in seismology but knows everything about Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Astronomy, Quantum mechanics, Engineering and every other field imaginable.

Bert Gummer's basement is one of the most satisfying scenes in film history, capped off by his perfect one-liner.

The best response by a guy with a large gun collection when someone asks him, "why does one person need all those guns?": "Have you never seen Tremors??"

RIP Fred Ward. He was one of a kind actor.

What made Burt an especially cool character is that he's played by Michael Gross, the soft spoken perfect dad from Family Ties. Seeing HIM of all people as a trigger happy gun-nut was beyond surreal.

I like the fact that this movie celebrates the strength of the small town. When faced with an existential threat, they all team up and become a united force using their abilities for the good of the community. Val is brave. Earl is pragmatic. Rhonda is smart. Burt and Heather are prepared and resourceful. It’s one of those films you don’t see often that actually shows “fly over country” in a positive light. It’s not dim witted hicks but capable people who will defend their community when facing insurmountable odds.

My Dad, a Vietnam War Veteran and certified curmudgeon who passed away in 2015 regarded this as his favorite movie of all time. He even liked the sequels. We watch the original as a family every year. Laugh. Cry. Tell stories. Isn't that what moviemaking was supposed to be about?

I remember hearing how this is used as an example in film courses as the “perfect” film. In the sense that every scene moves the plot forward, everything mentioned is relevant and pays off later, people act reasonably etc. Quite a lot you’ve touched on here too is the reason it’s used.

Actually Tremors 2 is real good. Yeah the rest of the sequels can be forgotten, but part 2 is an underrated gem.

This movie breaks so many horror movie tropes today, characters aren't dumb, unique idea, monster feels realistic like an animal, jumpscares are limited and not in your face, guns fucking work against the monster in this movie. Can I just say how much I love that one of them just plops into the room and gets blasted to shit XD. That would never happen in a horror movie today, it feels like the directors intentionally avoid those scenes too. It feels like a realistic take on how this shit would happen in real life and I love it.

Victor Wong is an absolute legend. -Tremors -Big Trouble in Little China -The Golden Child

I still think Tremors is the most perfect film ever made. Also, the sound design is really under appreciated. Stuff like boots clicking on porches is boosted, not absurdly so, but just enough that you subconsciously realize it's there.

Comparing the film to Jaws is funny because in French, we made the titles similar. Jaws' title in french is "Les dents de la mer" (Sea's fangs), and Tremor got translated into "Les dents de la terre" (Ground's fangs).

This is true. When I was in 4th grade we had a sleepover with about 10 kids. After watching this movie, I convinced them that this was a true story. I made two kids cry, no one slept on the floor that night. I swear.

Earl: “What kind of fuse is that?” Burt: “Cannon fuse.” Earl: “What the hell do you use it for?” Burt: “My cannon.” Burt you legend.

"Broke into the wrong goddamned rec room" line = still one of the best laugh out loud lines in moviedom.

Agreed. Tight screenwriting and a master class in chemistry between Val and Earl. And criminally underrated humor. Like Bert admitting that he has a cannon without any sort of embarrassment.

If Tremors was made today, then Burt Gummer would've either been one of the first to die (and in a particularly gruesome fashion) or would've turned into a secondary villain that the heroes had to overcome. Can't have a "gun nut" doomsday prepper portrayed as a resourceful, competent, and courageous hero in current year, after all.

Man, I miss when horror characters were clever, witty, and downright capable.

Where do they come from? "I vote for outer space, no way these are local boys" Classic!

Tremor is pure Gold. One of my favourites movies of my childhood. The story, the characters. Just enterteinment at his best

"Remember when set-up and pay off were still a thing in movies?" Pepperidge Farm and The Drinker remember.

Frankly this is the best screen adaptation of Dune :)

One of my favorite things about Tremors was how the characters actually think about where these things came from and how they've never been seen before for a few minutes before they're just like "I have no fuckin clue" and thats just good enough haha. I love it. That kinda stuff would never pass these days but that's actual reality. Sometimes things happen and we have no fuckin idea how or why and there's nobody there to explain it to us. Are you going to dwell on it or move on to dealing with it? It's a fantastic addition to the story

The scene where they pole-vault between the boulders is pure gold with younger viewers because it reenforces the idea that playing "the floor is lava" is a skill that just might save your life one day. I recently introduced this movie to my young kids and that scene had them jumping with excitement and cheering for the movie.

Tremors is that movie that you see coming on TV at 11:45 at night when you have to be up at 5 AM to catch a flight to Chicago, and you just say, “screw it, I’m watching it, I’ll sleep on the plane.”

For a movie 30 years ago that monster still looks pretty good

Saw this at the movies kind of by accident (the movie we wanted to see was sold out) and have absolutely loved it ever since. I can't say how many times I've watched it. It's one of those movies that, if you're channel surfing and you come across it you're in for the rest of the movie, if it just started or it there's only ten minutes left. And the characters are all perfect. Bacon and Ward play off each other perfectly. Ward; "is this any kind of work for an intelligent man?" Bacon; "I don't know, show me one and I'll ask him." And Finn Carter as the grad student was brainy, funny, and pretty hot all at the same time. All without having to prove that she was smarter than the men...even though she pretty much was. She's one of my all time favorite female characters. Michael Gross and Reba McIntyre also played perfectly off of one another and nailed their characters. I never get tired of watching Tremors, if you haven't seen it first WHY? Second, it's the perfect movie night popcorn movie, you'll be happy you finally saw it and will immediately be thinking about watching it again. I actually envy you the experience of seeing it for the first time.

The kinda movie u can watch dozens of times

Don't forget that Michael Gross was famous at time as the Hippy Dad on Family Ties, so this role was a huge departure. Gutsy move, and he was great in it.

Tremors is one of those movies that won't make it on most people's top ten lists, but is so purely entertaining that no matter how many times you watch it you'll always have a fun time. It's one of those movies that you stop on while flipping through the channels looking for something to watch, and then just end up watching it, even though you just watched it last week.

Not sure why, but my father and I ended up watching this movie a TON of times over the years. We would just happen to catch it on TV all the time. We loved it. It kicks the dog shit out of the insufferable drivel that passes for movies now days. So refreshing. Not a single big of messaging, statements, or agenda.

I returned to this not that long ago thinking “oh yeah it’ll be so bad I’ll get a good laugh” but I loved it just as much as always. A true classic.

The Drinker never disappoints

As an American, when the guy and his wife unleash hell on the graboid with a vast arsenal of firearms...I felt that.

I am shocked to learn that this movie didn't do well at the box office. I was only 9 when this came out and I watched it almost as obsessively as Predator. Even to this day it remains one of my favorite creature features along with the likes of The Thing and Alien. If you haven't seen this movie yet, take the drinkers advice and enjoy. :)

I'll miss you Mr. Ward, this and Tremors II helped give me and my best friends countless lines when we were young adults.

I always said if I ever got married, she would have to appreciate the humor in three films: The 3 Amigos, Mars Attacks, and Tremors. Finally found her, we've been married 12 years now. Thank you, Tremors, thank you.

The chemistry between Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward is what makes this movie, it's very funny and entertaining, the script is flawless and the pacing is brilliant, it just does everything right, I never get bored of it, no matter how many times I've seen it, definitely a cult classic.

I really like the first 3 Tremors movies. They're a good trilogy that ends well, and the Graboids have a new form each time

Van and Earl were my inspiration for the relationship between Steven and Keen in my comic. Steven being Val, reckless and young, while Keen being Earl tries to keep him from hurting himself, his family, or their team.

The script had some really smart lines. A personal favorite of mine: Earl: We gotta come up with a plan. Val: Why don't we just run for it? We outran it yesterday. Earl: Run for it?! Running's not a plan, Valentine. No, running is what you do when a plan fails.

_Ronda_ No damsel in distress. No heroic Mary Sue. And they even held the love interest thing at a tolerably low level. She's just an equally important part of the team.

A classic. Genuine human beings as characters and a sense of humour that isn't just smart-alek one-liners.

Everything Critical Drinker said is spot on. Particularly; movies of today, take note!

My dad introduced me to this movie and I loved it from the first time I saw it. Thanks dad, RIP.

This really is one of the great monster movies. A classically executed formula with great performances by literally everyone involved.

I remember seeing this on tv when I was a teenager and loved it. I watched it with my teenage children and they loved it. Tremors has aged really well.

Awww Drinker.....what a shame the legend has gone. :( Poor Fred Ward

- What kind of fuse is that? - Cannon fuse - What the hell do you use it for!? - My cannon

One of the few movies that attained the status of perfection in my mind.

I love this movie. When I was younger we would rent the VHS copy every weekend I think my family was the only people to ever rent it from the video store and it will always have a special place in my heart.

Such a fantastic movie. "Broke into the WRONG GOLDURN REC ROOM, DINTCHA!"

"Broke into the wrong GD rec room didn't you, ya bastard!" A line that most Texans are prepared to use one time in their lives.

I still love that scene when Burt gives the teenage boy a gun and they are running across the field and it's empty lol

Seeing this as a kid was bliss.. All the games you can make out of it jumping around on rocks to avoid dying to a ground monster was fun.

One of my all time favorite movies. It was great as a kid, a teen, and an adult

This movie has a special place in my heart. When I was a kid, i used to be very afraid of any type of horror movies and games. I used to lack sleep because of the constant nightmares I'd get, when I see a snippet of a commercial, game or movie that contains horror elements. My nanny helped me out by introducing this movie to me, we would watch it together and laugh at it. Little by little she would help me grow resistance through it and eventually the nightmares stopped when I grew older I'll miss you Ms. Neng

That Jeep pickup truck was the main character. Dang I love that truck.

It is quite incredible just how much fun they squeeze in to a mere 96 minutes.

haha! as a kid growing up in the early 90's the scene of Burt and heather fighting off the first graboid was and still is my favorite scene ever! the look on Vals face then the distant sound of gun fire still resonates with me!

Will always love Tremors and unapologetically love the sequels

After Val and Earl got out of perfection, they went on to become astronauts.😎

I actually saw this in the theatre when it came out. My date jumped so bad that her popcorn left her hands and went straight up towards the ceiling. She also was a dancer. Very flexible. Both her arms and legs went up as well. From behind it must have looked like some kind of fountain or fireworks. The whole theatre laughed at her but she got spooked so bad she didn’t realize her popcorn was gone, or why everyone was laughing. Best movie date ever. Thanks Drinker

The original thought for Tremors was just "what if sharks but on land." The graboids are actually a costume and its all practical. The snake tongues are puppetted. Even the final scene is done on the "miniature" set with practical effects. There is a documentary about the making of Tremors on KZfaq. I would highly recommend checking it out.

The hat-removing part that reveals the guy's face always got me as a kid.

Not only is this a cult classic, it contains one of the most important bits of life advice I’ve ever come across. For years, any time someone in my family got their panties in a twist, they would hear, “let it go Burt” in Reba’s thick southern drawl.

The entire Tremors franchise is bloody amazing.

My dad had this on the television when I was 6 during the doctor and his wife car scene. I had nightmares for weeks, my mom was livid with my dad. Now 30 years later, it's one of my favorite movies.

“Just a few household chemicals in the proper proportion.” Absolute gem. Thanks Drinker, this was fun. 🙌🏼

The gun scene in the basement is one of the greatest scenes ever! I absolutely love it!

I adore this movie. One of my favourites. Drinker’s analysis is 100% on the money. If you haven’t seen it, watch it as soon as you can. If you have, watch it again for old times’ sake. Nice one Drinker you small town handyman!

As an 80s/90s kid this was one of my faves growing up.

Val and Earl, one of heroes of our childhood

Ah, Tremors. Always nice go-to for rental night. When that was a thing *sigh*

I liked that it was a monster/horror/comedy filmed in very bright daylight. No hiding imperfections in the shadows, everything is on display & in focus.

No matter how often i watch this movie, I'm never disappointed by it

It’s many years since I lost count of how many times I’ve seen it.

I actually saw Tremors at a 3rd rate .99 cent theater. The popcorn cost more than the tickets - it was $4.50 and about the size of a small child. My friend and I ate the whole damn garbage bag of that stuff. I was later puking popcorn for hours. Best birthday ever.

Just watched it again last night. A happy coincidence to see the Drinker review it. I'm every bit as happy to see him review old movies as new ones, and I'm happy that so far, every old movie he likes could be on my favorites list...if I had one.

This was one of my favorite movies growing up and the Drinkers review makes me appreciate it that much more especially in the world we live in today. This movie truly has no business being as good as it is.

As a kid this movie was the SH!T!! I used to pretend the tremor monsters were real and jump around on my grandma's furniture to avoid the touching the ground

Kevin Bacon needs a lifetime achievement award for best supporting actor - the man has been in every movie (and done a Danny good job 90% of the time) since 1983.

This movie changed my life ever since I saw it on Sci Fi, and it really saddens me how the last few movies, especially the very latest, is just barely a shadow of it's former self

The Tremors TV show was pretty good. Yeah, it had a monster of the week theme to most of the episodes, but the acting and characters really helped carry the show. I'd definitely give it my Drinker Reccomend.

Favorite line. "Why do You have cannon fuse, Burt?" Burt, while looking at at him like He's an idiot, "....For My Cannon!"

"Tight efficient story writing" I KEEP TRYING TO TELL YOU PEOPLE!!!

"FFFFFFUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKK YOOOOUUU!! HAHAHA!!" One of my favorite line deliveries of all time lol

This movie is so good. It has monsters. It has action. It has humor. It has character arcs... I could go on about it for hours. I'm going to go watch Tremors again instead.

The great thing about Tremors is that it's a bonafide Horror Movie. It is a spectacular concept that can haunt any man. But it also has a great sense of humor.

He was hiding up in the tower, from the things that got loose... foot loose. Unfortunately, he wasn’t wearing his Sunday shoes.

They say every scene should add something to the plot. Tremors does this perfectly adding some detail or background that adds to the film not distracts from it. Real lightening in a bottle.

Just decided to rewatch this today and it's still frikkin amazing. It has actual characters with personalities! I forgot what those were like.

I love how all the characters in this movie can have different and conflicting views on things, but will still work together and be very effective when the chips are down. And even some of the lesser, secondary characters often contribute in some way.

"You picked the wrong God damn rec room to break into!!!!"

Jaws without the hassle of filming on the ocean. Perfect description.

One of my favourite series of all time. Tremors 1, 2 and 4 being the cream of the crop.