Mimic (1997)

Three years ago, entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease. Now, the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind.

Director:

Guillermo del Toro

Writers:

Donald A. Wollheim (short story "Mimic"), Matthew Robbins (screen story)

Stars:

Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mira Sorvino	...	Dr. Susan Tyler
Jeremy Northam	...	Dr. Peter Mann
Alexander Goodwin	...	Chuy
Giancarlo Giannini	...	Manny
Charles S. Dutton	...	Leonard
Josh Brolin	...	Josh
Alix Koromzay	...	Remy
F. Murray Abraham	...	Dr. Gates
James Costa	...	Ricky
Javon Barnwell	...	Davis
Norman Reedus	...	Jeremy
Pak-Kwong Ho	...	Preacher
Glenn Bang	...	Yang (as Glen Bang)
Margaret Ma	...	Chinese Woman
Warna Fisher	...	Bag Lady

Storyline

A disease carried by common cockroaches is killing Manhattan children. In an effort to stop the epidemic an entomologist, Susan Tyler, creates a mutant breed of insect that secretes a fluid to kill the roaches. This mutant breed was engineered to die after one generation, but three years later Susan finds out that the species has survived and evolved into a large, gruesome monster that can mimic human form.

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Plot Keywords:

giant insect | insect | disease | entomologist | cockroach | 

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Taglines:

This summer, brace yourself for the ultimate battle between man and nature.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Judus

Filming Locations:

Osgoode Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,818,208, 24 August 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,480,490

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 112 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Screenwriters Matt Greenberg and John Sayles are uncredited in the movie, but were credited in some of the trailers and TV spots.

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Goofs

In an aerial stock shot at around 9:00 min running time of the Director's Cut, the PanAm Building is to be seen. It was re-branded MetLife Building in 1993, when in fact the film is set in 1997.

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Quotes

Chuy: Funny shoes!

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Alternate Versions

Guillermo del Toro released a director's cut in 2011. It runs for 112 minutes.

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Connections

References Alien (1979)

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Soundtracks

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell)
(uncredited)
Music by Benjamin Britten

User Reviews

Could Have Been A Whole Lot Worse

The idea of a film featuring genetically modified humanoid insects stalking the streets of New York makes me believe it would have a long shelf life - It`d spend a long time on a shelf waiting for a distributor , but MIMIC was far better than I expected . Director Guillermo Del Toro rightly concentrates on mood and atmosphere and also deserves a mention for making sure the cast didn`t camp the film up because it`s the sort of film that`s difficult for actors to believe in but everyone on screen takes it absolutely seriously . The screenwriters also deserve some praise for taking a ludicurous premise ( Remember we`re talking humanoid insects here ) and writing a story that makes you forget you`re watching something laughably far fetched . We also get to learn that soldier insects have to be killed stone dead in order to stop fighting and that insects take their pray to an underground lair to be eaten so the audience learns something about both insects and how to telegraph a script . My only criticism about the screenplay is that it does feel rather like an ALIENS type movie towards the end but that`s a very minor criticism .

So I fairly enjoyed MIMIC . It`s not as good as QUATERMASS AND THE PIT which is the greatest film to have the underground transport system as its setting but it`s a whole lot better than other subway or bug movies