Imitative and unimaginative sequel (read remake) of Guillermo Del Toro's unique theatrical treatment of Donald A.Wollheim's short story "Mimic" is a direct-to-DVD movie, with performances to match. The central character is, for all intents and purposes, identical to that of the autistic child in the first film, here portrayed as a vulnerable, mistreated, misunderstood entomological enthusiast who daylights as a primary school teacher. Her curiosity with the insect world leads both her and a pair of hard case students into a night of terror, relentlessly hunted by the mutated Judas bug, fresh from feasting on her romantic rejections and primed to propagate the species.

The characterisations are formula driven and predictable, each with their own cross to bare and point to prove. Uber-cool cop Bruno Campos looks a little young for the hard-nosed, toothpick chewing detective, while all the other ancillary characters are basic stereotypes each with two scenes, one in which involves their obligatory demise. Even the appearance of veteran movie tough guy, the late Edward Albert isn't enough to redeem this inferior sequel.

Not always coherent "Mimic 2" begins when a running man's death leaves a suitcase full of the deadly genetic mutations, that gradually infiltrate the population. The film moves at such break-neck speed, that there's never any explanation for suitcase, nor much context around the central character's peculiar habit of taking photographs of herself, following traumatic experiences (an intriguing premise, it turned into a thematic cul-de-sac, simply abandoned without elaboration). Ultimately, at 79 minutes short, the plot holes are all consuming and the overall result is disappointing.

Entomologist Remi Panos is an inner New York city grade school teacher. She has not had the best luck with men. On top of them, there is a mysterious figure stalking her. Something is coming up from the underground to kill. Police detective Klaski (Bruno Campos) connects the deaths with Remi. Remi, her student Sal, and Nicky battle the insectlike creature.

As a lowly straight-to-video B-horror, it has its moments. There is a creature. There are some gross out moments. There is a functional creature feature at the core. However, there isn't enough good stuff. It's silly to make this a bad-dates theme. Also the special operations team in the last act is unnecessary. It turns a weak small horror into something unwieldy. There are a couple of good moments in an otherwise poor sequel.

Alix Koromzay, co-star of the first movie, gets boosted to star status here, playing science teacher / insect expert Remi Panos, who must run for her life when another of the deadly Judas Breed from "Mimic" 1 is on the loose. Among those running with her are two of her students, Nicky (Will Estes) and Sal (Gaven E. Lucas), and an NYC detective named Klaski (Bruno Campos). What's more, this particular creepy crawlie seems to have a real sexual interest in Remi.

That's pretty much it for story in this more-of-the-same sequel to Guillermo Del Toros' adaptation of the Donald A. Wollheim short story. It's better to not think about it too much, because one will realize that this "story" isn't realized all that well. For example, the relevance of the movies' initial victim. Some people will be pleased to note that the script contrives a way to get Koromzay out of her clothes. So "Mimic 2" delivers fairly well on a sex and violence quotient. The cinematography is appropriately murky, and a lot of the locations look pretty damn decrepit. There's not really much in the way of gore, but there's a lot of slimy stuff. The visual effects are, overall, reasonably well done.

Koromzay does alright in this leading role, and the supporting cast likewise fares well enough. That includes Edward Albert ("Galaxy of Terror") as an unnamed government operative who naturally wants things run a certain way. However, the movie makes a shameful waste of character actor Jon Polito ("Miller's Crossing", "The Crow") by giving him nothing interesting to do.

Lovers of killer insect cinema may be able to do better than this, but they could conceivably do worse. At least "Mimic 2" has an excellent forward pace and a sufficient amount of action. (Plus, it only runs 82 minutes.)

Five out of 10.