release year: 1988
genre: horror
viewing setting: home VHS, 1/31/99
what I expected: killer bugs
what I got: killer bugs
synopsis: Genetically mutated cockroaches swarm a small coastal town, and it's up to the sheriff and others to learn their secret and stop them.
impressions: Fairly entertaining, with several small sub-plots and some funny lines and situations. It took a while to get going, though: the first real fatality wasn't until 22 minutes into the movie.
body count: 5 humans, 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 mad scientist bitch, plus 3 offscreen deaths (one of which was not due to the roaches.) Also 1 roach/cat hybrid and 1 roach/human hybrid, plus the roach queen. Those wacky roaches.
acting: I thought the main characters all did slightly above-average jobs. The mad scientist bitch character was completely over the top.
the good: Decent scares at times, cute female lead.
the bad: Corny roach hybrid special effects, irritating mad scientist bitch.
final word: Worth seeing, once, but it may drive you buggy.
rating: C-