Phase IV

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Stefan C 08/11/2024 Unlike more modern apocalyptic films this really has a well done and surprising story - I still remember it since I saw it first back in the seventies. See more Steve D 03/23/2023 Unintentional comedy that is extremely self serious. See more Taylor L 10/15/2022 "Do you want ants? Because THAT'S how you get ants." Phase IV is a fun film because it takes a bit of an absurd premise - a hyperintelligent, aggressive ant colony with powers granted by a cosmic flash - and gives it the philosophical sci-fi/horror treatment of a space opera like 2001: A Space Odyssey or Solaris, plus a Tremors-esque fight against a mystery monster. The dynamic progresses from academic curiosity to survival horror to third-eye social engineering as the surviving protagonists ultimately accept their unknown future at the hands of novel and mysterious power. The power of ants. The only feature film directed by Saul Bass, more commonly known for his graphic design and storyboard work than anything else, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the conflict in this film features a lot of quick cuts to simulate the action of coordinated ants (since they're not so easy to herd) in a similar style to the storyboards he created for the iconic shower scene in Psycho. The visual composition is intense and thematically relevant, making it all the funnier when you remember that yes, this is still a film where the great cosmic villains are ants. Still not sure if this is visually great nonsense or a brilliant satire of heady sci-fi. (3/5) See more 02/23/2020 <i>In a single monotone voice, of a single homogenous hive mindset:</i> I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords—even if they are somewhat boring, the characters dry, and the story mechanical, at least until that psychedelic ending, which must be what happens when you get bitten by a bullet ant. See more 10/23/2019 Live action, real ants! Love the premise See more 01/21/2019 A convoluted, tedious mess. Not only is it hokey, it's almost laughable. It's soo boringly paced, it's hard to follow, and there isn't a suspenseful moment in sight. But there is some truly exceptional insect photography in this... See more Read all reviews

Phase IV

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