Top-Notch Bug Fighting By Sorvino

Although giant cockroaches are nothing new to Southerners, the ones in “Mimic” are something else again.

We’re talking bugs as big as people. Maybe even bigger.

Set in New York City, the story concerns Dr.

Susan Tyler, a scientist played by Mira Sorvino.

In attempting to wipe out the city’s cockroach population, Dr.

Tyler instead creates the conditions for the bugs to evolve into monsters.

Directed and co-written by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro, “Mimic” is unquestionably a B movie. But it’s a B movie with a touch of class.

Del Toro doesn’t rub your face in violence and gore, as some horror filmmakers do. He relies a lot on the power of suggestion, which is creepier.

The plot is pretty routine, but the level of performance is A-movie high. In addition to Sorvino, who won an Academy Award for her work in “Mighty Aphrodite,” the cast also features Oscar-winner F. Murray Abraham (“Amadeus”), Oscar-nominee Giancarlo Giannini (“Seven Beauties”), Tony and Emmy-nominee Charles S. Dutton, as well as Jeremy Northam (“Emma”).

As the movie draws to a close, Dr. Tyler must risk life and limb to stop the killer cockroaches. The scenes in which she does battle with the bugs implicitly make a stronger statement about the fitness of women for combat than anything in “G.I. Jane” does. And to think she does it all without shaving her head.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “Mimic” Location: East Sprague, North Division, Showboat Credits: Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, starring Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin. Running time: 1:42 Rating: R