Review of Mimic (1997) by Sean J — 07 Sep 2008

This bug's got bite! A genetically engineered bug used in fighting a deadly plague brought on by cockroaches mutates and begins mimicking it's natural predator... us. Sounds simple right? Well, it is. But that doesn't mean this American-horror debut by master filmmaker Guillermo del Toro doesn't deserve some credit!

The number one thing this film has going for it is atmosphere; loads and loads of atmosphere. The majority of the film takes place underground, in the subways and sewers. So the viewer can't help but feel that sense of urgency and claustrophobia that comes with the setting. The creature effects weren't half bad either, choosing to only show glimpses here and there till about 2/3 of the way through (going the JAWS route).

I've heard rumors that the studio butchered Guillermo's final cut for MIMIC and made him re-shoot large portions of it, namely the ending. The ending is largely a "hollywood-esque" feel-good ending, complete with sappy romance and saves-the-day heroes. Would the film have been better had Guillermo gotten his way? Most definitely. Does the studio ending ruin the film? No. This film had a lot going for it, and Guillermo's influence is obvious. His handling of the subject matter (namely the death scenes) as well as the mood and atmosphere throughout are both clever and inspiring. He didn't make the creatures invincible, and opted for realism over supernaturalism (which is typically opposite of what he normally goes for).

This is a fun film. It's got everything the stereotypical "bug-horror" genre has and more. If you're like me, you'll just go out and buy it so you can pop it into your DVD player on a rainy afternoon and enjoy yourself. One can only hope that perhaps one day, the film will be re-cut and re-released in a special edition copy the way Guillermo del Toro intended it.