the audience applauded

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

"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 *****

I couldn't disagree more with the other comment posted for this (unavailable..any body know of a release date for a DVD?) clever adult satire on the American dream and the life that accompanies it. Cockroaches are seen as one of the dirtiest bugs around, and what better metaphor exists than for them to be literally lurking right under the skin of a family that is awarded the 'Family of the Year Award'? The irony here is that slowly, the Applegates -the cockroaches we view as so beneath us- become corrupted by the vices of OUR urban culture: sex, drugs, greed, and selfishness, rather than the urban culture being infected by them. Yes, this film makes it's point lewdly, however, there is a gleeful self mocking absurdity that had me, even at 10 years old when I saw this movie, in stitches. If you are fortunate enough to encounter a copy of this film, I highly suggest you check it out. That is, if you can understand and appreciate clever satire.

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...

Angered by a logging company encroaching deep into their natural forest, a family of large insects camouflage themselves as humans and blend themselves into a small American town. Dick gets a job with the nuclear power plant in order to sabotage it and wage war on the human population. However the family finds that their attempts to blend in are working a little too easy and they endanger their own mission. Despite being a little too gory for my tastes, this comedy is actually quite sharp in it's main satire on American life. The main joke for me was the way the family of bugs are sucked into the lifestyle of American mores – the mother gives in to commercialism, the son to drugs, the daughter to teenage sex and the father to adultery. It's comical to watch their descent and works pretty well. Where's it's all going is less clear and the message is not so clear in regards whether becoming `normal' is for the best or not. What is clear is the eco message which pokes fun at those who would make war on nature (whether bug or human) without respect for other life forms.For a 90 minute film it all works pretty well and is actually quite imaginative. The gore put me off a little, in the gore of the eggs and bugs generally and I would have preferred if they had just had the bugs without all the slime and stuff. The cast do a good job carrying the material – their performances generally help keep up the mood of weirdness! Begley Jnr and Channing are both good in the leads – each giving in to their human environment. The kids are OK but the best performance is an outrageous performance from Coleman as the queen of the species – complete with full drag and moustache!Overall this never quite delivers as many laughs as it's clever and funny pitch but it is still worth a watch. It has a surreal picture book image of `normal' America that it slowly explodes. For me, you could take or leave the eco message and still enjoy the film. Not great but different enough to be worth a try.