The main monster movie formula hasn't changed since the 1950s: The pet evil technology of the time (radiation, pollution, germ warfare, genetic engineering) in conjunction with the pet villain of the time (mad scientists, the CIA, right wing militias, evil industrialists) turn some natural creature into a dangerous mutated version of itself. Fighting it is made harder by clueless citizenry, corrupt politicians, and head-in-the-sand bureaucrats. Frequently the good guys are aided by a guilt-wracked insider. In the end, some sound or scent is often used to lure the creatures into one place where they can be destroyed.
The variables are filled, in this entry, by pollution, evil industrialists, vampire bats, and music. Instead of an explosion, they are killed by steam. We don't see much of the insider, who is used mainly to throw the audience off as to which character is a crook.
This movie isn't as silly or heavy-handed as many movies using this formula, plus the acting is better, but the fact remains that you've seen it dozens of times before. (Although the choices of evil technology and favorite villain always result in some reviewer gushing that it was "ripped from the headlines.")
The variables are filled, in this entry, by pollution, evil industrialists, vampire bats, and music. Instead of an explosion, they are killed by steam. We don't see much of the insider, who is used mainly to throw the audience off as to which character is a crook.
This movie isn't as silly or heavy-handed as many movies using this formula, plus the acting is better, but the fact remains that you've seen it dozens of times before. (Although the choices of evil technology and favorite villain always result in some reviewer gushing that it was "ripped from the headlines.")