Scaarge has already given a good rundown of this movie (and believe me, it deserves running down...preferably with a Mack truck). I would just like to add some of my own impressions.

I saw this movie on the big screen. There were only about five other people in the whole theater, and two of them left half way through. However, on the proven theory that any movie featuring giant evil space bugs threatening Earth MUST be good, I decided to wait it out.

In my opinion, the entire first half of this movie justifies the existence of the fast-forward button. Imagine "Beverley Hills 90210" crossed with a Clearasil advert, with occasional snide attempts to say, "Hey, this is Social Commentary here, guys. Geddit? Geddit?" The squeaky-clean cast of dentally enhanced teenagers ensured that the few remaining viewers were rooting for the giant evil space bugs within the first twenty minutes. The certain prospect of seeing these walking saccharine tablets being torn limb from limb and eaten was all that kept us hanging in there. And yes, the young heroine took plastic to new heights. What is she, the practice dummy for Michael Jackson's cosmetic surgeon?

A couple of highlights, taken at random from the huge number available:

(1) Plastic heroine and boyfriend are getting it on while they are supposed to be in charge of the spaceship. As a direct result, Buenos Aires is wiped out by an asteroid. Their commander finds out and...they're going to get EXECUTED, right? Please? They're at least going to get TOLD OFF? Nooo, silly me, they get honored as heroes because when the asteroids started hitting, they noticed and got up off the floor and told some people about it. Gosh, I guess that makes it all right then.

(2) The telepathic science guy, seen later in the movie as a Gestapo-coated Top Military Intelligence telepathic science guy. He looks about twelve years old and EXACTLY like Joe 90 in the old puppet TV series. He is about as scarily impressive and Nazi-like as an Ewok. But hey, he can communicate mentally with bugs and pet weasels. I can see where that would be a real career advantage.

(3) High school students dissecting the giant evil space bugs in biology class. Where did they come from? Do biology teachers in the future recklessly sacrifice themselves to capture truckloads of lab specimens that an entire army with laser guns and nuclear bombs can't get close to normally?

(4) Totally gratuitous vomiting scene in the biology class. Here's a tip, guys: your heroine has nothing going for her anyway. Showing her losing her lunch in a full frontal close-up isn't going to help.

(5) The entire population of Earth is apparently under the age of twenty. Except for their parents and about two other people.

(6) The Helmet of Invulnerability: I love that tragic military training exercise scene. Twenty guys with laser cannons blasting away at their friends in all directions: no problems at all. But if you foolishly take your helmet off, man, you DIE. I wish I had a helmet like that.

So what was good about it? The effects were great throughout, and I especially liked the spidery bugs. They definitely had attitude and some great moves. This film is well worth seeing (on video, so you can cut out the boring and irritating bits). If you like classic Japanese monster movies and those American 50s B-flicks about nuclear ants, you'll love this. Just start watching it at the halfway point. Don't worry -- you'll definitely be able to pick up the plot.

My rating: 4 turkeys for the second half. A good hard kick in the head from a moose would be more enjoyable than the first half.