Review of Phase IV

Insects can give you the creepy crawlies… now a nest of ants would make my skin crawl. "Phase IV" takes on a more low-key, but cerebral and experimental angle on it nature runs amok formula. Ants… not your ordinary ants either. Super intelligent ones. I wouldn't be surprised if you start thinking you are watching a documentary about ants --- due to the footage and dissected dialogues. While it might have a reliable turn by Nigel Davenport, it's really all about the ants. There's nothing gratuitous or particularly exciting about it, however its slow burn, searing psychological style plays out like a battle of wits between the humans and the ants in showing their overall dominance. Somewhat effective, rather brooding (namely the electronic score) and at times unpleasant, but the atypical ending just came across to be underwhelming with its resolution after the initial, if frightening set-up. Director Saul Brass is quite a stylist in his visionary details even with what would look like a low-budget. It's technically good and well poised. The musty desert landscapes are barren, but he invokes many eerie passages and taut developments from his earthy handling. The thrills are minor, where it's verbose script is all about adapting and challenging (by learning the facts and patterns of each other) in gaining some sort of upper-hand, but never does it become too silly. Michael Murphy (whose character wants to communicate) and Lynne Frederick might be sober, but established enough. "Phase IV" is a thoughtfully interesting and ambitious curio more than just brainless Sci-fi horror.