Paul VerhoevensStarship Troopersoffered up an entire planet full of giant insects and ingenious brain bugs.
The film that unfolded in the darkness was both a thrill ride and a vague disappointment.
After the stubborn individuality ofCronos,Mimicseemed perplexingly generic.
It was only later that I learned aboutMimics troubled shoot.
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del Toros ideas and designs were subjected to constant changes by committee.
The script was repeatedly rewritten.
The experiment is a success.
The disease is halted in its tracks, Susan and Peter are hailed as heroes, and later marry.
Three years later, however, the couples meddling with nature has had an unforeseen consequence.
Theres a beautiful, eerily framed sequence in a hospital, with beds draped in luminous fabric.
The Judas Breed insects, too, are an obvious del Toro hallmark.
Thematically,Mimicoffers an alternate take on the old playing God sci-fi principle.
Can I eat it or will it eat me?
In its restored form,Mimicnow works much better as a film of atmosphere and suspense.
Some of the problems withMimicinevitably remain.
Annoyingly, studio interference means that del Toros dark conclusion will forever remain an idea on paper.
Although uneven, its a bubbling stew of ideas, arresting imagery, and some truly great creature effects.
With this new iteration ofMimic, hes definitely succeeded.
Mimic: Directors Cut is out on Blu-Ray on 31st October.
