It Came from the Desert

I remember playing the "It Came from the Desert" game on Amiga 500 computer back in the day, 1989 or the start of the 1990s. And it was a great game back then. Then forward about 34 years and I happen to stumble upon this 2017 movie by random chance. And the title was an instant flashback to the Amiga 500 days, and of course I had to check out this movie.

Truth be told, though, I wasn't really harboring much of any great expectations to director Marko Mäkilaakso's movie, because it seemed like it would be a questionable low budget movie. Yet, I still opted to watch it and give it the benefit of the doubt.

The storyline in "It Came from the Desert" was based loosely on the storyline from the game, but writers Trent Haaga, Marko Mäkilaakso and Hank Woon Jr. Did their own twist and approach on it, for better or worse. But normally, then movies based on computer games have a tendency of being horrible movies. However, I will say that the script and storyline in this 2017 was actually fair enough.

What held the movie back was some half-hearted acting performances. I didn't really buy into the performances put on by the actors and actresses in "It Came from the Desert", because it was just a bit too wooden, rigid and amateurish. And the performances paled in comparison to what director Marko Mäkilaakso apparently set out to accomplish.

Needless to say that I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble.

Visually then the CGI in the movie was so-so. It looked okay, but it was just not overly impressive or all that convincing. But it was suitable enough for a movie of this level of accomplishment, I suppose. However, when the giant ants started giggling, chuckling and drinking beer, then I have to admit that I was good and ready to turn off the movie, because that was just too ridiculous.

I managed to sit through the 90 minutes that the movie ran for, and while the movie did spark a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the days of playing Amiga 500, that was just also about that was to it, because Marko Mäkilaakso's 2017 movie "It Came from the Desert" wasn't impressive. Watchable for the cheese that it was, if you have played the game, but otherwise not really worth the effort.

My rating of "It Came from the Desert" lands on a four out of ten stars.

Firstly, I wanted to watch because of the huge ants, but well, it's just one more movie trash, kinda without great ideas, with poor visual effects, and terrible actors, but at lest, it's funny to watch, and you totally will laugh with some moments, the problem it's just the story that is not creative.

Dumb guys (even if they they are academically smart) uncover a corporate scientific laboratory that is developing giant ants. Motocross, beer, and idiots prevail. Saturday night special sci-fi movie. Nothing special, and bordering on the annoying, but still a B-movie special.

This was really entertaining and we were pleasantly surprised. Some cheesy special effects, but all around good fun. Reminded me of 8 Legged Freaks

This movie can not be taken seriously at all. It is all tounge in cheek n deliberately acted over the top n cheesy.

I can honestly say it was not half bad at all. It is a bit like Tremors with ants instead of giant underground worms.

All actors acted appropriately for the over the top fun fest it was. The characters were deliberately unlikeable and so annoyingly camp.

The ants were decent enough special effects for the quality and budget of the film.

The ending was ok but predictable.

I recommend this movie if you like camp humour n ott acting n creature features.