You can't pray to this mantis

"The Deadly Mantis" is a monster movie made in 1957. A volcanic eruption on Greenland frees a frozen, jumbo-sized praying mantis from its oblivion. After millions of years without food, it naturally goes on a rampage, first in the Arctic and later in the lower 48. Eventually, the creature reaches New York City, with the military in hot pursuit.

Sounds entertaining, but "The Deadly Mantis" is actually incredibly boring and dragging, with almost no action for the first 45 minutes. Instead, we are privy to pseudo-scientific talk, grave meetings with grave-looking generals, and a super-grave narrator telling the audience that the American radar shields protect the free world from its enemies. Well, they couldn't stop one lousy bug, could they now?

Personally, I was also annoyed by the sexist, stereotypical gender roles. But then, this was 1957. But sure, eventually the big bug pulls its act together, starts overturning buses and cars, attack monuments in Washington DC, and so on. For some unfathomable reason, it spares the Manhattan skyline, preferring to forage in a tunnel instead!

Naaah, I don't know, only two stars for this one.