Meet the Applegates

New World Picturs must have really dug Heathers (1988) as director Michael Lehmann had this in production before that even hit theaters. It tells the story of a group of giant bugs that move from the Amazon rainforest to the USA suburbs and pretend to be humans in order to destroy a nuclear power plant. The parents (Ed Begley Jr. And Stockard Channing) want to project normalcy on their mission, but are stuck with only 1950s stereotypes as reference. Soon their kids (Camille Cooper and Bobby Jacoby) are succumbing to evil American ways and the parents aren't far behind.

This has to be the oddest film in New World catalog post-Corman sale in 1983. Lehmann obviously must have been a big fan of Beetlejuice (1988) as this is totally trying to copy that Tim Burton style here. It must have worked in some regard as after this Burton teamed up with this film's producer, Denise Di Novi, for the next decade. This is actually pretty fun once it gets going as each family member has to hide their foul ups by cocooning people. Kevin Yagher's team provides some impressive big bug FX, but the filmmakers goof in the action climax as all the bugs look the same so you can't tell who is who as they fight the bad bug (played by Dabney Coleman in human form). The fact New World funneled money from successes like Hellraiser (1987) into something like this won't leave you shocked to learn the company was in financial trouble by the time this was wrapping up and delayed the release for several years.

I couldn't disagree more with the other comment posted for this (unavailable..any body know of a release date for a DVD?) clever adult satire on the American dream and the life that accompanies it. Cockroaches are seen as one of the dirtiest bugs around, and what better metaphor exists than for them to be literally lurking right under the skin of a family that is awarded the 'Family of the Year Award'? The irony here is that slowly, the Applegates -the cockroaches we view as so beneath us- become corrupted by the vices of OUR urban culture: sex, drugs, greed, and selfishness, rather than the urban culture being infected by them. Yes, this film makes it's point lewdly, however, there is a gleeful self mocking absurdity that had me, even at 10 years old when I saw this movie, in stitches. If you are fortunate enough to encounter a copy of this film, I highly suggest you check it out. That is, if you can understand and appreciate clever satire.

Second film from cult director Michael Lehmann follows exploits of a beetle family that migrates to Ohio under the guise of Disneyeana leftovers. While there, each family member falls under the spell of human idiocy which jeopardizes their plan to create another Chernobyl. Very witty throughout, and the ecological message doesn't become preachy (remember when there were more films that dealt with deforestation like "Ferngully"?). Stockard Channing in particular is a hoot. Ending is definitely a bit on the soft side, but this is still a very good film...

I highly recommend this film to all. For some unexplainable reason I'd call this film a mixture of Tim Burton and John Waters (although neither of them have any association with it) For instance, if you are a fan of Beetlejuice & Mars Attacks (Burton) or Cry-Baby & Serial Mom (Waters) this film is definitely up your alley. This film has the subtle strangeness of Burton and the sick humor of Waters. That's all I can really say. The movie is hilarious (as are the 4 films mentioned above) in its own twisted little way.

I'm sick and tired of people ripping this movie apart. Who cares why there's a scorpion featured in the opening shot when the movie is about cockroaches.Beetlejuice opened with a spider and that's not the main character either. Yes,in this age of political correctness there are flaws.Is rape ever funny? Funny that foul language isn't mentioned yet,I guess nowadays it's too commonplace and nobody cares. Low budget special effects-check. Cheesy dialog-check. Nods to John Waters-I guess so. I think this movie entertains.It also offends from what I've read. Is it one of the worst ever made? Hardly. I can think of 50 films right now (recently released) that should be flushed down the toilet immediately.Hollywood excels at churning out bland,tasteless fodder for the mainstream masses. Stop taking it so seriously.It's meant to be a dark comedy and that's exactly what it is. Now where's the DVD?.