Insecticidal

Ah, giant bug movies. If you're like me, you fondly remember films like "Them," "Tarantula" and maybe even "Eight-Legged Freaks." "Insecticidal" aims for that same genre...sort of. The premise is simple: a sorority house gets attacked by giant bugs. You know how this movie will go. People will be hacked apart by the merciless arthropods, the house will be turned into a battleground, and yes, there will be lesbians.

In all truth, there are decent parts to this film. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously, acknowledging at points its own cheesiness. The actors and actresses who play our main characters pull off their less-than-Shakespearean lines pretty well. And, of course, there is eye candy to be found here.

Unfortunately, the film suffers from painful amounts of stupidity when it comes to the bugs and pretty much anything involving them. For instance, Cammy, the nerd (we know she's a nerd because she wears glasses) creates the monsters by accident. That would work for this setting, except for the REASON behind it. She states that she was mocked by her professors for her outlandish theory that "insects used to be the dominant species," and that she was experimenting on them to prove that they had "dormant genes." A combination of these experiments and some pesticide exposure activated these genes and made the bugs grow huge.

First, the claims that bugs were once dominant on Earth: No @#$%, Sherlock! Back in the Carboniferous period (300 million years ago) arthropods DID rule the world. There were dragonflies with 3-foot wingspans, centipede/millipede relatives from 5 to 10 feet long and scorpions 3 feet long. The idea that any modern scientist would mock Cammy for stating what's already true is just idiotic.

Second, the whole "dormant genes" idea: It's possible (although REALLY unlikely) that modern arthropods do hold dormant genes from their Carboniferous ancestors, but how the heck did Cammy manage to turn those genes on? It remains a mystery.

"Insecticidal" also suffers from what I like to call pseudo-intelligence. When the filmmakers want you to think that a character is smart, they have him or her use really long words, even if those words make no sense. When the giant praying mantis appears, Cammy classifies it with a long, Latin-sounding name. The problem is that the praying mantis's REAL scientific name is simply "Mantis religiosa" The final thing that hurts this film is that the special effects aren't so special. If brought to life effectively and accurately, the giant insects, arachnids and other invertebrates in "Insecticidal" could be terrifying. The praying mantis (a major enemy in the movie) has a ridiculous Kermit-the-frog mouth and the annoying habit of knocking people to the ground and apparently whacking them repeatedly with its forelegs. A real praying mantis attack is far more disturbing: it's spiny forelegs snatch prey in the blink of an eye and simply hold it there while the insect's blade-like mouth-parts methodically chew through the living victim. That would have been far more frightening than being slapped to death by Kermit the bug.

There are so many things wrong with this movie (herbivorous stag and rhinoceros beetles are shown eating people, as well as everything I already mentioned) that I can't rank it highly. That said, I'm actually recommending this film. It's so incredibly bad that you can have your own Mystery Science Theatre night with it.

Described as a horror B-movie, Insecticidal is a rather tame film in tone and in terms of violence and gore. It is entirely silly, cheesy and ultimately predictable. Perhaps a throwback to those 1980's films.

The characters aren't bad, but are entirely the stereotypical type we would seen in these sorority women films. Also, noticed how all the main women characters' names ends in "i". Cami, Josi, Sophi, Fumi, Jeni, Twisti, Belli. Not to nitpick but what was the purpose of this. As it wasn't mentioned. Or are we just to assume those were their "sorority sister" alias names?

The CGI giant bugs look fake and are never menacing or threatening. This film doesn't take itself serious which perhaps benefits it.

It is rated R due to its brief few nude scenes, though without them, everything else is reduced and feels that of a PG-13 film. Reminded of those 2000's teen drama/comedies tv series.

Not exactly worthwhile but its "more fun and relaxed" tone makes it entertaining at times, all be it predictable.

This movie is about three giant CGI bugs attempting to destroy the world's silicon supply, which has been craftily hidden in the chests of a group of sorority sisters. The movie stars two A- cups, three C-cups and one DD-cup for sure. Cameo appearances are made by the women attached to them.

Without giving away too many intricacies, the plot of this movie is kinky sex, cattiness, shower scene, kinky sex, CGI bugs, hot tub, CGI bugs, shower scene, cattiness, kinky sex, CGI bugs, sex, hot tubs, squish, squish, squish. Unfortunately, the action is slowed down considerably by the filmmakers' awkward choice to insert dialog into some scenes, and an unnecessary subplot in which one of the sisters becomes a mother, which drives her into a homicidal rage.

Caution: this movie contains several scenes which do not display unclothed breasts.

With so-called 'special' effects that may very well rival "the Thing Below", this tale of giant intelligent bugs that terrorize sorority girls is bad in every possible way. The acting's awful, the plot's overtly stupid, and the aforementioned special effects make the whole thing laughable, if not for the fact that you'll be too depressed that you've wasted about an hour and a half on this garbage. Even nudity can't save this from falling into the abyss of the dreaded DVD bargain bin. Not that bargain can be used in any connotation when referring to this movie. No matter which way you slice it, simply dreadful. Good thing that Director Jeffery Lando holds three citizenships, become this film (and his others) are so bad that his American should be revoked.

My Grade: F

Eye Candy: the unfortunately named Chris Guy shows everything she's got; Rhonda Dent shows T&A; Anna Farrant and Natalia Tudge just show tits

The fun factor is huge and that's is what matter. I liked the story and the talented Meghan Heffern, the actress who played the role of "Cami"in Insecticidal. I think the effects are not the crucial point to make a good movie. The concept of good movies is subjective. There are movies with great story and bad effects and so the opposite. I founded the DVD here in Brazil and enjoyed, the image quality is not bad. I'm a B-movie and horror movie fanatical and does not get disappointed. When i think one movie is not good, i don't want to see it again and it's not the cause with this gem. I will see it again. The Japanese girl is amazing too. I wished the movie could have at least 120 minutes, to get more fun. Do not skip this, the bugs are fun and pesky.