I could have written all this off as just a mediocre low budget flick, passably entertaining if expectations are kept under control.
Others have amply covered the many defects in plot holes, lousy special effects, uninspired acting, etc.
However the movie went beyond all this into a pathetic attempt to turn itself into a morality play. The demons of the Greenies were summoned forth: Evil corporations. Greedy executives. Genetic manipulation. Pollution. Arrogant military. There is even a special lecture on global warming inserted lest we miss the point. (They did blessedly overlook **rrrradiation** (sound klaxon) and skipped the talking points on the blessings of tofu cakes.)
And of course standing against this onslaught of evil we have Mr. Organic Pesticide Researcher, a wholesome, idealistic young man trying only to save the world for Green. And his side kick, a low level USDA employee who in one of the truly hilarious moments in the film, is given the crucial decision as to whether to approve the use of a special military unit to prevent the locusts from wiping out half of Idaho. Only if she 'signs off' can the special unit be used! Incredibly, this is a fulcrum in plot development. It's like asking someone at the airline ticket counter whether flights should be grounded on 9-11.
Oh well. If you are desperate for science fiction material and have burned your way through just about everything else, this one at least has an unusual creature villain. Other than that, there are better ways to waste time than this phony Green Morality play from the Truly Clueless.
Others have amply covered the many defects in plot holes, lousy special effects, uninspired acting, etc.
However the movie went beyond all this into a pathetic attempt to turn itself into a morality play. The demons of the Greenies were summoned forth: Evil corporations. Greedy executives. Genetic manipulation. Pollution. Arrogant military. There is even a special lecture on global warming inserted lest we miss the point. (They did blessedly overlook **rrrradiation** (sound klaxon) and skipped the talking points on the blessings of tofu cakes.)
And of course standing against this onslaught of evil we have Mr. Organic Pesticide Researcher, a wholesome, idealistic young man trying only to save the world for Green. And his side kick, a low level USDA employee who in one of the truly hilarious moments in the film, is given the crucial decision as to whether to approve the use of a special military unit to prevent the locusts from wiping out half of Idaho. Only if she 'signs off' can the special unit be used! Incredibly, this is a fulcrum in plot development. It's like asking someone at the airline ticket counter whether flights should be grounded on 9-11.
Oh well. If you are desperate for science fiction material and have burned your way through just about everything else, this one at least has an unusual creature villain. Other than that, there are better ways to waste time than this phony Green Morality play from the Truly Clueless.