MIMIC is a film that grew on me
with repeat viewings. I did track down and watch all of the films that Director Guillermo del Toro over the years. Del
Toro fought with Miramax over the film during the making and editing of it. Now he presents his version closest
to a director's cut he can get without shooting more scenes (or re-shooting it). He re-cut the
film and inserted material back into the film to make it more of a atmospheric slow burn suspense film. I
do wish the theatrical cut was also included on this disc. Nevertheless, I am always up for a version of
a film closer to a director's vision. It is an effective big bug film in one of the few films I actually like Mira
Sorvino in. One of the things restored to the Director's cut beside more atmosphere is a pregnancy subplot (which Mira
felt shouldn't have been made for the film- the only disagreement she and the director had over the film).
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The audio commentary with director Guillermo del Toro is very revealing on what went wrong with the making of MIMIC from the
rewriting the script to the editing. He also goes over how he re-cut the film to be closer to what he originally envisioned.
Video
Prologue with the director (it is one minute long).
RECLAIMING MIMIC- The story of
how Mimic was re-cut as the director also mentions his original ending which he regretted losing. Much of the material
covered here is in the audio commentary too.
two vintage featurettes and you see how
young del Toro looks without a beard.
A LEAP IN EVOLUTION: THE CREATURES OF MIMIC- the creature design
of Mimic and showing they used puppeteers to operate the giant bugs.
BACK INTO THE TUNNELS: SHOOTING MIMIC-
a promotional behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews (less than 5 1/2 minutes long).
two
Deleted scenes and an alternate ending (which isn't
as good as the theatrical ending).
Storyboard animatics for six sequences.
Theatrical trailer
FINAL
ANALYSIS: MIMIC The director's Cut is a cautionary tale in more ways than one. It is good that a director can
revisit and reclaim the film closer to what he originally imagined. He says it is an imperfect film with his battles
with Miramax.
this review is (c)1-2-2011 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without
permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
