Mimic

Rating:
Summary: Doesn't live up to its potential
Review: There are really two movies here: the first thirty minutes, which is a nice, suspensful, well done shocker, and then the rest of the movie, which is just a bad film about giant bugs that eat people.

As I said, the first thirty minutes really carried my interest a long way. There's Mira Sorvino as a scientist who creates a type of insect to combat cockroaches carrying a dangerous virus through New York City. As usual, God has a weird sense of humor and the bugs start to become dangerously manlike and violent. There are recent murders where people are mutilated, near where Giancarlo Giannini and his boy are (by the way, Giancarlo Giannini is with out a doubt one of the only reasons to watch this movie). Then one day Mira discovers that things may not be all that they seem, so she goes down to investigate. Later three guys go down on their own investigation.

Then the movie stops being good.

The insect, which is very manlike and sinister when seen only in shadows and silhouettes, is revealed as nothing more than a giant bug. Use your imagination...and you'll come up with a scarier looking monster. Oh yes, and it turns out there are hundreds of these things. Then the movie starts indiscriminantly killing off characters like there's no tomorrow, and then I lose all interest in the film. By that point it just becomes cliche giant bug movie.

This movie had so much potential and it just doesn't follow up on it. When it was one mysterious, humanoid insect it was cool, and the story was fascinating partly because the chemistry between the actors (especially the three guys who venture into the sewers) was good.

Then the movie's like, "Awe, screw it. Let's just end this thing. We got Mimic 2 and 3 to crap out..."

Rating:
Summary: An EXCELLENT movie, especially for the time it was made...
Review: Compaired to current sci-fi movies, this movie isn't a diety, that's why I didn't give it a five, but it really is a great movie to see. Cockroaches grow to enormous size and invade the subway systems in New York City. They develop the ability to walk amongst men as if they were men, of course NYC citizens don't really notice anything...being as they are New Yorkers... This movie is a great buy and I personally loved it. It had all the scientific classifications and explanations of how the roaches got to their present state...and action and suspense to back it up.

I Highly Recommend this Movie!! It's ****1/2 stars....

Rating:
Summary: A creepy guilty pleasure!!
Review: This is a very well made horror movie! It's not a classic, nor does it tread especially new ground, but it is moody, stylish, mostly well-acted, graphic, well designed and actually creepy.

It tells the story of a horrific monster that has bred in the subterranean areas of NYC's subway system. I won't bore you with the details of how this monster came to be, but suffice it to say that these plot details are interesting and when we discover what the creature REALLY is, that's a nice surprise too.

Basically, the first half of the movie shows us the creature in action briefly, then all the "scientific" types urgently trying to figure out what they're dealing with, and then all the main characters converge to search the creature out within the subway labrynth. And although it's been used before, the hidden chambers of the subway system (which are REALLY extensive in this film) make for great settings for running around and hiding from a murderous monster! We watch as our band of heros are quickly reduced in size (a la ALIEN, PITCH BLACK and about 1 million other movies).

The opening few scenes of the movie, which show in quick brushstrokes how years before a terrible plague threatened the children of NY (and later, the cure for that plague would lead to the monster), are TRULY creepy. The editing and cinematography, along with some terrific art direction on a low budget, throw you emotionally into the movie right away! After that, the movie is well-crafted but predictable. Although predictable is probably what one wants when seeing this sort of movie. It's like horror comfort food!

The movie features some unusual casting: Jeremy Northam (the British actor most often seen in things like AN IDEAL HUSBAND, is quite convincing as a nervous, nerdy scientist...he's always good in whatever he does) and Charles Dutton are very good. Giancarlo Giannini (how did anyone think to put this great actor in this kind of movie) is actually quite moving as the father of a little boy in the clutches of our villain. Mira Sorvino is the star of the movie (which came fairly soon after her Oscar-winning role in MIGHTY APHRODITE). In recent years, she has made a lot of bad choices for roles and has become something of [an object] of jokes. However, in MIMIC she is competent (though not overwhelming) as a scientist, and certainly one would think she could have handled more dramatic roles well. Finally, poor F. Murray Abraham plays her mentor in a thankfully tiny role...it's a horribly written part (the man rants and raves about tampering with nature) and he plays it as though he was told he had one minute flat to devour all the scenery. He chews it like crazy, and we breathe a sigh of relief when he's no longer on screen.

I imagine the budget for the film was fairly low, but it's a great example of how effective lighting can be. Genuine ATMOSPHERE is developed. In one climatic scene set in an old subway car, all hell breaks lose, and we realize "hey, this has gotten pretty scary!" What more can you ask of an old fashioned horror movie?

Is it brilliant? No. Is it entertaining in almost every way? Yes. I highly recommend it, though probably not for kids under 15 or so. (AND STAY AWAY FROM THE "SEQUEL!" YUCK!!)

Rating:
Summary: Gritty little sci-fi flick with a lot going for it
Review: This gritty little sci-fi flick was a surprise hit at the box office and with critics thanks some solid performances, capable suspenseful direction from Guillermo Del Toro (Cronos, Blade 2), intelligent storytelling, and some great (at the time anyway, they are showing their age now more than ever) special effects. Husband and wife scientists Mira Sorvino (cute as can be here) and Jeremy Northam create genetically altered cockroaches in an effort to end a roach carried disease which is killing children. The cure works, but these engineered bugs begin to evolve as a very fast rate, mimicing their prey and becoming smarter by the minute. The script, while it does have it's share of holes, is surprisingly intelligent, and while Del Toro's suspensefully done direction isn't bad at all (matter of fact it is quite commendable), Mimic doesn't play as scary as it seems it is supposed to. All that aside, Mimic is a very good piece of sci-fi/horror that is more than worth checking out. The cast also includes F. Murray Abraham, Josh Brolin, Charles S. Dutton, and Norman Reedus.

Rating:
Summary: only movie that scared me
Review: chilling bug movie with magnificinte effects chilling sequences and deaths great scifi horrror

Rating:
Summary: Mimic uses every gimmick
Review: Mimic is a giant bug ovie that is neither entertaining nor scary, featuring characters we couldn't care in the least about. The only reason to see Mimic is because of good monster design and effects.

Rating:
Summary: Watch Out, It's Not a Human!!! Shrewd Sci-fi Horror
Review: This may be a very personal thing, but my cousin once saw Mira Sorvino in a karaoke bar in Kyoto five years ago. I still regret that she (my cousin) didn't have my phone number to invite me.

Anyway, Mira Sorvino was here in Japan for the promotion of this creep film "Mimic." It was a bit surprise she took the role of entomologist Dr. Tyler, because it was soon after she got an Oscar for that Woody Allen film. But she judged right for this film turned out successful, being directed by Guillermo Del Toro, later to direct "Blade 2."

The story is, in my opinion, another clever look on urban legend. In New York, a deadly disease carried by roaches burst out, and many children suffer from that, most cases leading to death. Entomologist Susan Tyler (Sorvino), asked by CDC specialst Peter (Jeremy Northan, of "Emma" and "The Net"), embarks on a plan based on releasing a genetically enhanced new spieces. It worked; the disease soon is gone, but that's only the beginning of another plague that is more deadly.

And that is THE Thing, that acts like humans, but in fact, lethal enemy to us. They inhabit in a disused subway constructions where unlucky characters have to be trapped. Though the story seems derailed in the final chapter of the film, the film, as a whole, maintains its creepy atomosphere throughout, and those weird feelings that some people might get when they watch insects -- something akin to awe and fear -- are tactfully expressed in the darkly images of the underground world.

The cast is also superb; besides intelligent Sorvino, you see Charles S. Dutton ("Alien 3"), Josh Brolin ("NIghtwatch"), F. Murray Abraham ("Amadeus") and Giancorlo Giannini ("Hannibal"). And some may be amuzed by the stylish opening title sequence by Kyle Cooper, who did his job in "Se7en." and many others.

Basically, love or hate film, "Mimic" will engage the heart of the people who love the kind of film like David Cronenberg. The story's defect is obvious (and the film at several points resembles that of underrated John Sayles film "The Alligator"), but if you go in for an eerie feelings of his films, it is worth a look.

Rating:
Summary: A bug movie with some punch...
Review: As a subject, the portray of an underground world below major cities has always been appealing. Combine that idea with some giant killer bugs and you get "Mimic", Guillermo Del Toro's sci-fi extravaganza. This film makes an interesting approach on the nature of predators and the mystery of the dark corners of human civilization. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to satisfying the hard critical eye.

The movie tells a story about an army of genetically-altered insects created to destroy a plague of cockroaches in the sewers of New York. Three years later, the bugs have learned to survive by mimicking their worst enemies: humans. Now an entire colony of these creatures is growing under the Big Apple, and they're getting ready to move up.

As you can see, the idea for the plot is very good, and has an interesting edge to it, but in the end, the filmmakers decided to exploit it through simple action sequences, with a lot of "Aliens" on the back of their minds. Mira Sorvino is very good as the doctor who created the monsters and is now tortured by the idea of her creation being loose on the world. But her character is the only one with at least some depth in this whole story. All the others are just background people, who play basically three roles: "partners" for our main hero, "victims" that need to be rescued (children are perfect for this), and "meat", so we can witness the destructive power of the giant bugs.

The real problem with "Mimic" is that, even though it has a very original idea, the script suddenly decides to play it safe, since it gives you absolutely no surprises. By the end, you know exactly what's going to happen, basically the same thing that happens in "Aliens": you know that the good guys will find their way through the colony, find the source of all the creatures, and blow it up with the biggest explosion their budget can allow. Fortunately for us, at least it's a big budget (the design for the creatures is award-worthy).

The DVD itself is no good, unfortunately. It includes the theatrical trailer, but absolutely no bios or commentaries. Lack of features is a curse among DVD's, and I'll never get tired of saying it.

In conclusion, I recommend the movie because of its original idea and some cool special effects, but you're warned in advance that you won't find anything new once the story gets going. How they managed to pull off a sequel is still a mystery to me.

Rating:
Summary: Mimics other bug movies
Review: Guillermo del Toro's effectively creepy bug movie is a fast-paced, exciting (and gooey) thriller starring Mira Sorvino. However the film has a mainly "been there, done that" story about a deadly virus called Strickler's disease, that is killing many children, and Sorvino's character finds a cure by genetically- modifying cockroaches. The nasty critters get set free in the world, and several years later people start getting picked off by giant bugs that have evolved to "mimic" their predator: Man.

The action, which mostly resides in the trademark underground railway tunnel, is inventive, and there are some genuine shocks and twists along the way. The messing with nature theme has been done before (Jurassic Park), and the film is very similar to The Relic. But there is a strong environmental message that, while good, thankfully isn't heavy-handed and doesn't get in the way of some cool bug-splosions and hapless kids getting munched. Disgusting fun.

Rating:
Summary: The indomitable roach...
Review: Mimic is a "bug" movie, and a pretty good one. This time the threat comes from man-sized, roachlike creatures, that threaten to multiply and make pest control a nightmare.

Roaches in New York City are spreading a deadly disease. Entomologist Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) introduces genetically altered roaches to the local population via the local sewers. Secretions from the mutant bugs known as the "Judas breed" destroys the metabolic systems of cockroaches, causing them all to die.

Three years later, neighborhood kids bring the "Bug Lady" (Susan) an unusual insect they have collected from the subway tunnels. Though it escapes, the specimen sets Susan and her physician husband Peter (Jeremy Northam), on the trail of the mysterious insect species. The search leads to the subway and sewer systems. Peter, who works for the Center for Disease Control, heads down into the subway system with his assistant Josh (Josh Brolin), and Leonard, a city cop (Charles Dutton). Meanwhile, Susan is gathered in by one of the roach creatures and deposited somewhere in the sewer system. Also wandering in the underground, are Manny (Giancarlo Giannini), a shoeshine man, looking for his lost son, Chuy. Soon they all come together in a life and death struggle against the killer bugs.

This movie is dark and creepy, and the musical score by Marco Beltrami adds to that atmosphere. Tension builds, for like all good horror films, we don't get to see the big bugs too soon. But once the attack begins, things move swiftly, and the level of excitement remains high until the conclusion.

The special effects are good, not great, and do not dominate the movie. The build-up of the story is good, and helps to add to the plausibility of the plot line, though there are still some problems. The whole concept of man-sized roaches evolving from normal sized bugs may be hard to accept, despite the explanation provided for this phenomena. The concept of the roaches "mimicking" humans is interesting, but very hard to swallow. The creatures are so fast and strong, why would they need to infiltrate the human population, when they could kill us so easily. We see the creature "unfold" itself just before it sweeps Susan off the subway platform, and there is no way that it could pass for human, in anything but near dark conditions. Finally, if the Judas breed could wipe out roaches in NYC, wouldn't they have used them in other places too?

All that being said, this movie is very enjoyable and highly recommended. The roach monsters, once the pretense is out of the way, are great fun. Josh has a cool death scene. Charles Dutton's aggressive performance was very enjoyable. It's also fun to see Mira Sorvino getting down and very dirty. With a little better character selection this movie could have been much better. One big negative about this film is the young boy Chuy (sorry kid). There is nothing appealing about this irritating, spoon clapping character.