Companion viewing
"Them!" (1954)
"The Hellstrom Chronicle" (1971)
"Empire of the Ants" (1977)
"Starship Troopers" (1997)
Giant bugs attack humanity in the new sci-fi horror film, "Stung" (opening Friday at the Digital Gym Cinema) and meet TheNAT's curator of entomology at the 9 p.m. screening Friday.
Ever since "Them!" unleashed mutated ants on America in 1954, giant bugs have been a favorite creation of horror and sci-fi. And it’s been too long since any have terrorized the screen. Oh sure we had the over-the-top ridiculous fun of "Big Ass Spider" just two years ago but as an entomologist might point out, spiders are not bugs but rather arachnids. So it's been awhile since we've had a mutated bug tale on the scale of "Stung."
Not surprisingly "Stung" has been brought to life by visual effects artist turned director Benni Diez. A visual effects artist may not make the best director but he knows how to get to the action fast and deliver creatures that are fun to watch. Diez and writer Adam Aresty (who was inspired to write the script based on his own "irrational fear of bees") don't waste time with set up or the unnecessary padding that many horror films feel obliged to deliver where they pretend to be developing character and plot.
Instead Diez and Aresty quickly set up Jessica Cook and Matt O'Leary as our protagonists Julia and Paul. She's the boss, he's got a crush on her, that's all you need to know. They arrive to cater a party and just as the hosts (Eve Slatnerare, Clifton Collins, Jr.) are delivering the toast, the wasps start to attack. Then the ramp up comes on fast. The wasps attack en masse and pretty much wipe out the guests so that there's just a handful of folks (including Lance Henriksen as a politician up for re-election) holed up in the house and trying to figure out how best to combat the giant wasps.
"Stung" is light on genuine drama but it keeps you oh-ing, ah-ing and even ew-ing as the wasps sting humans and then emerge from the host bodies as big angry bugs. We are only given the slimmest of explanations some growth hormone was mixed with bug spray and bam! Mutant bugs. But that's fine. A genre film that understands its purpose and pursues it with intensity will deliver a lean, mean product. Diez understands that the strength of his film is the practical creature effects and big bugs, and he gives us a lot of enthusiastic, practical effects work (except for the end) that keeps us engaged in the story.
"Stung" is lots of fun with its over the top bug gore. It has no pretense of being great art but it totally gets that it's all about giant insects. It's not jokey and self-reflexive in "Scream" fashion, but neither does it take itself too seriously. It strikes a winning balance of humor and horror.
For added buzz on opening night, entomologist Dr. Michael Wall will introduce the film and scare you with some real bug horror stories. He will also bring some bugs (I'm not saying if they are alive or dead) and give out passes to TheNAT to those who have brushed up on their bug trivia. To get a taste of Dr. Wall's knowledge of bugs and sci-fi, check out my interview with him on the new Cinema Junkie podcast.