Chad

Undeadcow

The narrative structure made Mimic a bit hard for me to get into because so much happens in prologue - virus, roaches, genetic engineering, kids finding bugs, etc but once it gets to the railcar scene is shines more. The gritty underworld feel is great and the creatures show a lot of promise when they're no marred by the limitations of CGI. This might be my least favorite Del Toro film but still better than a lot.

Boo cop out happy ending. I wanted the autistic kid to be a mimic.

Toddarino

I’ve seen this a whole bunch of times. While it isn’t my favorite GDT, I still like the creature design and setting. Unfortunately it’s got some pretty wonky CG.

Shack

I listened to the Director Commentary for this and it is highly recommended. Guillermo del Toro talks extensively about the film and the studio issues, and gives great credit to his cast and collaborators in making it, particularly Mira Sorvino. As for the film, it does have its drawbacks, but it has a great visual style and an effective story.

WillieMLF

Caught off guard by this movie. I had never seen it before and had it mixed up with one of those DNA spicing movies that doesn't have 2 Oscar winners. This one really gets going about half way in, and doesn't look back. I thought I had seen every movie where Charles Dutton meets his untimely end, but this was one of the best. Really liked the creature design, and how even the little kids hunting for egg sacks, get smote good!

clckworang

I should remember to watch with the commentary next time. Not sure why I didn't think about it this time.

I agree with most of what has already been said. This is a pretty solid creature feature, definitely better than most of its type. I do like the idea of the insect mimicking humans. It's sort of convoluted how they get there (genetically modified insects released into the wild to cure a child illness), but the movie is good once it gets going.

Then it gets to that wet turd of an ending. It's like they were trying to figure out how many cliches they could fit into one scene. Child being cute. Heroine desperately looking on. Improbable survival. Hollywood embrace. The declaration about the pregnancy. Ugh.

Really, one of the movie's bigger weaknesses is too much story. I know that's not the usual horror movie criticism, but aside from the convoluted backstory, the pregnancy storyline felt really tacked on. Those character details ended up meaning nothing, and it's like they realized that at the end. Make sure he mentions the pregnancy! Cue eye roll. It probably would have served the movie better if the focus had just stayed on the main bug story.

I'm not saying I don't believe the Harvey Weinstein accusations she made; I guess it's more hard for me to believe one person could torpedo someone's career so much. But damn. Sorvino had so much momentum back then. Big lost opportunity. Very sad. Sorry to derail from the movie discussion, but it was on my mind how quickly her parts would dry up so soon after this. I can't believe other directors didn't push on casting her.

Spiderbite

I watched this tonight and agree with pretty much everything that has been said already. I believe I saw this in the theater or soon after and hadn't seen it since. I remember not caring for it way back then and now I remember why.

I also remember hating the CG back then and time has hurt it even more. What is frustrating is almost every scene where CG is used, it could have been easily done with practical effects to a greater effect. I think of how awesome the remake of The Fly is and this could have been like that but with cockroaches with great effects. But as clckworang and others pointed out, the storytelling has its severe issues as well...even in the Director's Cut which is the version I watched.

I hated the happy ending as well which took what little enjoyment I had in this movie and capped it off. Not great but not terrible. It is a well-made movie but still just sits there. Eh.

My rating: **1/2 out of *****