| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
B |
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| Acting: |
C+ |
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| Direction: |
B |
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|
| Visuals: |
A+ |
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|
Not for the "thoughtful" group
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
May 31, 2008
24
of
28 people found this review helpful
If people would stop trying to analize this as an A-list epic, they might realize that this is perhaps the greatest B-movie ever made. Let's review:
Story: Young, beautiful high-school kids who care about nothing more than their hormones, quickly learn about the notion of "kill or be killed" (is this really different than how we usher our kids out of school and off to war?) Instead of slaughtering their fellow man, (which is horribly depressing) we can rejoice in watching them exterminate insects. This also gives way to the constant humor provided. See the newsreel of the little kids stomping on little earth bugs to "do their part" for the war effort if you need a reminder.
Acting: I think that people love to knock the acting more because these actors are much more attractive than the people judging them. Well this movie was made for it's comic book action, look, and feel so if it's charachters fit the bill, get over it. This one's about the story, not the Oscar-winning performances, or lack thereof. Besides, Dina Meyer wasn't bad at all as the sexy tomboy Diz, and Clancy Brown is outstanding no matter what he does.
Purists: It has been often stated that if you read the 1959 novel before watching this movie, you will be disappointed. I didn't read the novel. Good for me, bad for them. This movie was not made for the pre-pubescent audience that the novel was, nor was it made to stay true to some literary roots. It was made to entertain the moviegoer.
Politics: For those who noticed, there seems to be an anti-facist statement woven throughout riding upon the vehicle of satire. Maybe so but look again, there's alot said about personal responsibility and commitment that some seeming "pro-fascist" types would like. This is the wonderful thing about this movie...let the viewer decide on the politics.
Picking nits: Yeah, we could have nuked the bug planets from space but it was more fun to go down and dirty and learn just how arrogant our bravado can be. Not to mention the giant bugs shooting long range artillery from their behinds, what a sight to behold. Somehow this movie made it work.
Nudity: very cool, we didn't even mind Dina Meyers little boobies because we wanted her to get Johnnie Rico, and she deserved it, she was the true heroin of the story. It was a not so small disappointment to leave Denise Richards out of the boob-fest, snotty and aloof as she was, she is always worth seeing. It could have been easily worked in there somewhere.
Disappointments: (besides Denise Richards lack of nudity) Doogie Houser as Herr Commandant? That was some kind of sick casting joke I have yet to understand, and never want to try.
Greatest moment: Seeing the ferry putz that Carmen chose over Johnny get his brains sucked out in front of her. Did you notice that with him out of the way, she started to like Johnny again?
Big time kudos for the special effects and musical score which actually made some believe that this really was an A-list epic. Just relax, sit back and enjoy, it really is a good fun movie. |
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