It Came from the Desert

REVIEW - IT CAME FROM THE DESERT

In 1951 a science fiction film came out with the same title which told the story of how radiation made ants grow to a huge size, this b movie became an instant classic even though it was filmed in black and white, this sequel however..........

Imagine if you can Bill and Ted discovering these giant ants (dude) and chugging beer, yes very annoying especially as I couldn't honestly decide if this film was actually meant to be serious, a comedy or just a very feeble excuse to get someone on screen.

If you want to watch a film called it came from the desert then watch original and avoid this as you would a huge ant, otherwise drink lots and lots of beer and try to enjoy this silly homage to what was a true b movie classic.

Rating 4 out of 10

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.

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.

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.

Saw this on a pirated dvd. The trailer was enticing n the synopsis n settings more like Eight legged freaks. The opening sequence was more like Starship Troopers, where two military men r firing at giant ants. Cut back n v see some beautiful villas in the desert town n even more better is the amazing dirt bike racing scenes reminiscent of the new Point Break film. Hordes of deadly giant ants attack a group of youngsters partying in the middle of nowhere. The effects of the giant ants were cool n the bike action sequences were really cool, particularly during one chase sequence with the giant ants in pursuit. Remember its a very low budget film n it managed to entertain very well. Also noteworthy is the cinematography. What more could you ask from a monster movie?