Phase IV
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: September 1, 1974 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
49
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
3
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
The DissolveKeith Phipps
In form, Phase IV isn’t that different from monster movies of old, though the ants never grow to monstrous size. In execution, it’s much more striking, offering a study in contrasts between ants and humans, and one that doesn’t always reflect favorably on the humans. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubIgnatiy Vishnevetsky
It’s a movie that seems to have been designed more than directed, and edited around principles of color and line, rather than around performance or plot. Read full review
60
The New York TimesA. H. Weiler
In making his feature directorial debut after a succession of distinguished film titles, graphics and short subjects, Saul Bass, with the aid of special insect photography by Ken Middleham (Hellstrom Chronicle), has fashioned a pictorially persuasive adventure. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
So-so ecological SF thriller from 1974 about superintelligent ants. Read full review
40
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
Humankind's fate is left in the hands of several unusually inept and colourless scientists, the ants get the works from the special effects department, and original ideas (so often a casualty in sci-fi cinema) take a back seat. Read full review
30
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
This one didn't get the bugs worked out before release. It's another in the Hollywood cycle of films based on every kind of creature enlarged by radiation. Read full review
25
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
One would think that director Saul Bass, whose credit sequences for such films as Hitchcock's PSYCHO are nearly as interesting as the films themselves, could pump some energy into this potentially interesting premise, but all he comes up with is an overly intellectual bore. Read full review
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