Plot: What’s it about?
I’ve always been a fan of the work of Guillermo del Toro, but this films haven’t really ever been for me. Does that make sense? I can appreciate the originality of them, the “creatures” in his various films like Pan’s Labyrinth have left a lasting impression. Still, I’ve found that there’s always been something lacking…for me at least. Then again, del Toro has won a Best Director Oscar as well as one of his films winning Best Picture for The Shape of Water. Clearly, he’s done something right. But one of his earlier feature-length films set the stage for things and movies to come and starred a then newly-minted Mira Sorvino. Add to that, another Academy Award winner with F. Murray Abraham, Josh Brolin and Charles S. Dutton – you’ve got yourself a movie!
We meet Dr. Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino), an entomologist working on a cure for an epidemic that’s killing kids in New York City. This virus is spread by cockroaches and, as such, she and her husband (Jeremy Northam) create a new breed of roach to set loose in said city. The premise is that this new breed will render the existing roaches sterile via mating and then the problem is solved. Sounds easy, right? Initially, it seems to work, but a few years later there are mutated versions of the breed living in the subway. Add to that, they’re not only breeding, but seem to mutate as well and are trying to appear human. Naturally it’s up to Tyler and her crew to wander through the underground tunnels and kill the roaches to find the single male roach, if they succeed – problem solved.
For some reason, I’ve always gotten this movie mixed up with Phantoms. Don’t ask me why. Maybe it’s because I look at the cover art. Maybe it’s because they came out around the same time and both seemed, to me, that they were about the same thing. They’re not, of course. But that’s just the way my mind thinks. Having never seen the film before, I had no idea what to expect. It’s a clear indication of was to come from del Toro and, yes, there are some 90’s stereotypes that I don’t think would be in any of his newer work, but by and large – it’s an engaging thriller. No one likes cockroaches and certainly ones that are attempting to look human.
Video: How’s it look?
Looking at this on the surface level (see what I did there?), the film is dark. We’d expect this because, well, a majority of the film takes place in the dark, dank sewer system. But things have changed a lot since the film’s release on an old, non-anamorphic enhanced DVD (that was among the first to the format). We’ve got a nice sheen to the movie, noise and artifacting are virtually eliminated and the new 4K scan has breathed new life into the transfer. Detail is amazing, something that really shines when looking at one of del Toro’s “creatures” and makes for a nice viewing experience.
Audio: How’s it sound?
I don’t know what it would sound like if a six foot “thing” were to try and attack me, but the sounds that come out of these things is enough to make me lose a few hours’ sleep. The DTS HD Master Audio mix is certainly on par with a horror film and even though the usual tropes (i.e. jump scares) are present, they’re done with such efficacy that it really does the trick. Surrounds are active as are the LFE which really earn their keep. Vocals are spot on as well. It’d have been nice to have a new Atmos mix, but this one holds its own.
Supplements: What are the extras?
A majority of these (which is to say, all) of these seem to be ported over from Lionsgate’s Blu-ray with a new audio commentary for the film’s theatrical cut being the new addition.
Disc 1 (4K – Director’s Cut)
- Audio Commentary – Director Guillermo del Toro’s tracks are very informative as well as very conversational. Admittedly, I had some issues with his accent, but it’s on par with his other tracks and for true fans of the film, it’s in the “nice to have” category.
Disc 2 (4K – Theatrical Cut)
- Audio Commentary – Horror Cinema Expert Arne Venema and Cinema Author Stefan Hammond contribute to a new track which is a welcome addition. Kino seems to have a way of getting people to record new tracks and though they don’t have the inside information that Del Toro has for his track, it’s nonetheless informative.
Disc 3 (Blu-ray)
- Audio Commentary – This is the same track as on the 4K disc.
- Audio Commentary – This is the same track as on the 4K disc.
- Video Prologue with Director del Toro – Running 1 minute, this is as what it says – an introduction to the film’s cut.
- Reclaiming Mimic – This shows the lengths that del Toro was willing to go through to achieve his vision (i.e. the Director’s Cut).
- A Leap in Evolution – A brief segment on the creatures used for the film (anyone familiar with his films will no doubt be accustomed to these).
- Back Into the Tunnels – A brief (5 minute) cast and crew segment about the film.
- Deleted Scenes – Three total with nothing too interesting other than a disturbing alternate ending.
- Animated Storyboards – Six total, shown in a very rough format but entertaining as well.
- Gag Reel
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
Guillermo del Toro’s films, to me are interesting. I appreciate the level of detail he goes into and I have to admit that I’ve chalked this film up to late 90’s fodder for, well, years. But it’s actually quite good and was certainly indicative of things to come from the acclaimed/Academy Award winning director. Kino’s 4K disc gives us both versions of the film as well as a new audio commentary track – for fans, this is heaven.
