Mimic 2 (2001) - Not as good as the (average!) original

It's hard for the average horror sequel to come close to the original.  Let alone when the original was only really slightly better than average at best. 'Mimic 2' is the sequel to the 1997 sci-fi horror film of the same name about giant bugs living in New York who have developed the ability to - wait for it - mimic humans in order to hunt them. Unfortunately, this one fall even shorter of the original, offering a less engaging and more predictable experience.

The storyline centers around Remi Panos (Alix Koromzay) who just so happens to be an expert in bugs and then finds herself targeted by the nasties. The film struggles to recapture the eerie atmosphere and suspense of its predecessor, leaning heavily on familiar horror tropes and lacking the originality that made the first 'Mimic' even vaguely memorable. The plot is predictable, and the scares feel recycled rather than fresh or innovative.

Remi seems to live in an neighbourhood where all the male characters are either incompetent or outright unlikable criminals.  Most of the men in the film are either portrayed as sleazy, ineffectual, or aggressive, which just makes them easier for us to not care about when they get their inevitable payback from the giant bugs.

While the first film at least had a better cast and went some way to embrace its cheesy, B-movie roots, this one fails to capture that same spirit. The practical effects and creature design are serviceable but are nothing that you haven't seen before.  Additionally, the direction and pacing often feel disjointed, with moments of tension undermined by clunky dialogue and uneven performances.

There are a few moments of tension and decent creature effects, but it ultimately fails to live up to the original's quirky appeal.  Stick to the first one.

5/10 You can watch this film while you're doing the ironing (you'll still get the general gist of it)