Meet the Applegates (1991)

This flick is not available on Netflix nor on Amazon streaming, and I don't know why, because it is truly hilarious. The negative comments here are incomprehensible to me. The comic premise of giant bugs disguising themselves as humans is no more difficult to accept here than it was in "Men in Black," except this is a much better movie. The predictable left wing environmental theme is here, but is by no means overpowering enough to detract from the riotously funny look at middle class suburban life, with all its pretensions, facades, commercialism, and sexual foibles that this movie supplies. All the cast do their jobs wonderfully, Stockard Channing and Ed Begley Jr. in particular. Dabney Coleman does a great job in what could be called a cameo role. The script is just wonderful. I was able to catch this on one of the cable channels and I'm glad I was able to do so. It provided a wonderful hour and a half of comedic entertainment.

"The Applegates" can easily be considered a cult classic for three obvious reasons; a strong cast, a powerful story, and moments that will remain in the chambers of your brain. To begin, the cast is amazing. Director Michael Lehmann,, who also directed a personal favorite film called "Heathers", knows how to make a socially viable comedy that doesn't feel dated or tired. Watch "Heathers" again after watching "Fight Club", and you will see the possible similarities between two films made two decades apart. He made this film using strong actors that typically would never be paired together at all. Who would have imaged I would be sitting here, typing on the computer, indicating to you that I deeply enjoyed a film starring Ed Begley Jr. and Stockard Channing – or even the fact that Dabney Coleman was mixed in there as well?!? This is a first for me. "The Applegates" worked because the cast wasn't fighting from within. They were working together to create comedy (yet again another concept that seems to escape modern cinematic farces), they played off of each other, building their small character into something believable and witty for the greater good – the movie! It was impressive to watch them implode together, but it was equally as fun to see them outside of their element on their own. Begley was dry and perfect for his role as the master-in-command bug, while Channing went through this amazing transformation from modest housewife to spending madman. The same can be said for the two children, which go from bright and sunny to dark and sadistic midway through the film. The human elements that invade these bugs' lives are over-developed for this film, but they work impressively well. These Applegates, as well as the actors that portray them, prove to humans that even if they come to us, we will still destroy their sense of what is right or wrong."The Applegates" used a powerful technique for keeping this film easy on the eyes. It used the K.I.S.S. method that I believe helps comedies reach a higher level of repeated viewings. The "Keep It Simple Stupid" was applied to this film by merely saying that these bugs were going to nuke a small town in the United States. There wasn't a fear of technology, over-analyzing, or future consequences – and with a film like this, we didn't need it. I wanted to laugh, bring in thoughts of what is destroying our world, and see a film that was fresh and genuine; and I was able to see it with "The Applegates". The story was superb. It was funny and poignant all at the same time. The cast, which I have already applauded, makes this story come to life and seem more emotional than your typical big-budget cast with over-hyped budget. This was a simple story, and due to the simplicity of the tale, my attention was focused and this film was enjoyed. Where else could you not question Dabney Coleman dressed as "Aunt Bea"? Finally, the message that Lehmann was trying to release was clear. There are problems in the United States whether we would want to blame them on outside influences or not, we have issues with underage pregnancies, drug use, over-spending, and adultery (perhaps every country does – but we seem to engulf it further). This film exploits them on a group of bugs that gain our sympathies and force us to root for them when they are down. Comedy is the tool used to show us our flaws, but our laughter is not "HA HA HA", but more of a "ha" as we consider our own lives within these bugs. Metaphors abound, we feel sad for these Applegates as they begin to falter in their mission because we are causing the failure. Our obese lifestyles are killing these bugs, and Lehmann isn't afraid to show us that to our face.Overall, I thought "The Applegates" was yet another strong film released by Michael Lehmann. It was sharp, witty, intelligent, and hysterical as this group of bugs learns what it is like to truly be human. It is a sad story of our human lives, wondering if others would ever watch this film and see us in such a light, one can only wonder. It is a passionate story, with a cast that will truly surprise you and make you question your own choices in life. While it was released during a time where there was heightened fear of the destruction of the Amazon forests, while we battle today with the issue of Global Warming – the two seem to pair well – like a glass of white wine with a chicken salad. "The Applegates" remains a poignant film, and I hope that it will one day see the light of DVD. It needs to be seen by more, as we laugh, these issues need to be addressed. HA. Dabney Coleman dressed as "Aunt Bea". HA! I can't seem to get that out of my mind! Grade: ***** out of *****

In the wilds of Brazil, as yet more rainforests are being cut down to make way for burger bars and other such makers of food which doesn't taste as nice as the little cardboard boxes it comes in, an unknown species of giant bug finds a children's 'Learn to Read' book which contains pictures of the 'ordinary' family. In no time, the outsized mantids are disguised as a human family and are on a mission to cause a nuclear disaster which will wipe out humanity.Though this film does have serious things to say about ecology, it is also a black comedy about the seedier side of families and married life. It captures hilariously such subjects as teenage rebellion, credit card shop-a-holics, sexless marriages and even political topics like the paranoia surrounding 'reds under the beds'. Alright, so some of the subjects tend to verge on the tasteless (and I don't think date rape is really something to laugh about), it's still a very entertaining sci-fi/comedy.

Second film from cult director Michael Lehmann follows exploits of a beetle family that migrates to Ohio under the guise of Disneyeana leftovers. While there, each family member falls under the spell of human idiocy which jeopardizes their plan to create another Chernobyl. Very witty throughout, and the ecological message doesn't become preachy (remember when there were more films that dealt with deforestation like "Ferngully"?). Stockard Channing in particular is a hoot. Ending is definitely a bit on the soft side, but this is still a very good film...