Filmmaker Guillermo del Toros' Hollywood debut is an expectedly slick and highly atmospheric film. Oscar winner Mira Sorvino stars as Susan Tyler, an entomologist. She comes up with a plan to eliminate cockroaches in NYC, which are now spreading a fatal disease dubbed Stricklers' to the city's children. Her solution is to contrive a new hybrid species of roach - the Judas - which will wipe out the roach population, while being supposedly unable to breed themselves. Three years later, the so-called "solution" is now the problem, and the Judas breed has done a lot of evolving - and has proved itself capable of breeding after all. (As Ian Malcolm of the "Jurassic Park" story would have said, "Life found a way.") Now Susan and a select few others descend into the bowels of the city to try to put an end to things once and for all.After clashes with Bob Weinstein, Del Toro ultimately disowned the film, but at least in more recent years his original directors' vision has become available on Blu-ray. Over all, it's a richer, more satisfying experience than the theatrical release. Granted, at some points some of the characters start to grate on the nerves, but in the end they regain ones' sympathies and rooting interest. Donald A. Wollheims' story was adapted by Matthew Robbins and del Toro, and the filmmakers take full advantage of some very spooky concepts and settings. This directors' cut, running 112 minutes, is deliberately paced but quite suspenseful, and features striking digital effects and creature designs by (among others) the legendary Rob Bottin ("The Howling", "The Thing", "Total Recall").Not all of the characters get fleshed out all that much, but the cast gives it their best effort. Josh Brolin and Oscar winning veteran F. Murray Abraham are kind of wasted, but their presence is still very welcome. The beautiful Sorvino is very credible and is playing a reasonably strong woman. Jeremy Northam plays her husband, Giancarlo Giannini is endearing as a middle aged shoe shine man with a young son (Alexander Goodwin), Charles S. Dutton is typically commanding as a subway cop, and Norman Reedus fans will thrill to see him in a small role."Mimic" does require the viewer to pay attention, because key exposition is divulged in a very quick manner, but it rewards them in kind. Its ambiance is perfect horror movie stuff through and through.Eight out of 10.

Cockroaches are causing a modern-day plague in New York City. Long, dark hospital halls are filled with rows of foreboding beds, containing doomed children. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief when beautiful entomologist (bug expert) Mira Sorvino (as Susan Tyler) cross-breeds a predator to kill the roaches. This would be celebrated even if the roaches weren't killing everyone's kids. Everyone is happy with Ms. Sorvino's remedy. She hooks up with handsome Jeremy Northam (as Peter Mann) and thinks about having children of her own. But, wait… something has gone wrong! "Judas Breed" was supposed to be unable to reproduce – and they were scheduled to disappear completely around six months after killing the roaches. Apparently, they stuck around and grew into huge, hungry critters...Stylishly produced and directed, by Guillermo del Toro, "Mimic" is an engaging horror suspense story...The special effects and story fit together well and the monster effect is well-designed. The film startles with early developments, then becomes fairly predictable. You may not always know who's going, but you should be able to figure out who's coming back. Suffering from severe potty-mouth, Charles S. Dutton (as Leonard) is most obvious. Less so are Giancarlo Giannini (as Manny) and young Alexander Goodwin (as Chuy). While the insect effect is very good, some of the science could have been more realistic. The worst moment may be when Sorvino's presumably brilliant character states humans evolved from apes. Scientists smart enough to evolve insects would know humans and apes possessed common (DNA) ancestors. Apes do not "turn into humans" – except, maybe, in the movies...****** Mimic (8/22/97) Guillermo del Toro ~ Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Charles S. Dutton, Giancarlo Giannini

It's pretty well known that Guillermo Del Toro disowned this movie. Well, truth is he didn't. While he was not particularly happy with the theatrical release, him disowning it are exaggerated and taken out of context. Watch and observe the movie, many of his hallmarks in his other movies are there. Being a Del Toro fan I'd watch this over Blade II. Yeah, I'm serious. Some people say that Mimic is underrated. I agree. It's a very well done and well crafted movie. A "giant bug" movie is just the tip of the iceberg. A contemporary sci-fi/ horror movie is a decent way to sum it up. I have begun to wonder if any, (If not all) of those who dislike this movie have even seen it or have just jumped the band wagon. This is not a misfire or a "sophomore slump". It's an overlooked very underrated gem.

If you like Alien, Predator etc you will love this. Stop reading the reviews, ignore the ridiculously low rating and seek out the proper version of this movie (ie the Directors cut). Del Toro has produced a masterpiece here and it's a tragedy it's not better known. This is one of those examples at IMDb that makes me distrust the ratings system and yet again proves the better rated flicks are often not that good while the ones with mediocre ratings are very often well worth watching.The creatures are worth the price of admission all on their own. Plus Mira looks awesome when she's covered in bug excretion and subway grime! WATCH IT!! :)