The Rats is based on a horror novel by James Herbert of the same title. It is a remake of a low-budget 1982 movie called Deadly Eyes as well, both filmed in Toronto but The Rats takes place in Manhattan whereas Deadly Eyes takes place in Toronto (the novel took place in London). This 2002 adaptation follows the story of the book slightly closer than Deadly Eyes did, and the effects were better in The Rats (in Deadly Eyes wiener dogs dressed in rat suits were used to depict giant killer rats).I know it isn't really fair to compare a remade movie to its original, but this version of The Rats is bad enough on its own. It's kind of entertaining, incredibly cheesy and for the most part sort of enjoyable, but it doesn't deliver on many levels. Its soundtrack is pretty bad as well, as was the acting.Deadly Eyes had great soundtrack, it had decent acting and it was a hilarious, cheesy thrill-ride, very different from The Rats. Honestly I don't really think that this movie even needed to be remade, but watching The Rats wasn't a total waste of time. If you're a fan of the novel and original movie you may want to avoid it, but if you're into more modern horror, chances are you'll really enjoy this one.

I have to agree with all the people here, the movie was good for a TV movie. Cast, directing, effects, all good. The only problem is the script that has all the elements of a rat movie, but nothing extra. It's a very well done cliché.You've got the damsel in distress, the rat exterminator white knight, the black sidekick, the indifferent/irresponsible city official and, of course, mutant rats. Why can't they be normal rats? Because you need to kill them all at once in the end, this one being the worst part of the formula: build the tension, steady, ready, release!So, OK, the script was almost believable, there were some interesting twists here and there, like a gushing fountain of rats, a guy with a coat of biting rats, the look of the rat that witnesses the brutal killing of its peer... mainly scenes with rats :) But I think it never aimed above the rating of TV movie, and it never got there.

Rats invade every place in New York...you get a B-movie plot. The beautiful, elegant, sexy Madchen Ammick stars in this cheesy Horror flick for cable.I won't talk about the plot because there isn't much to tell about it. In fact, I will only comment about the scenes that are worth the watch. The rat attack in the swimming pool is a must see as it's a little but tense moment as the rats almost bite the young Daveigh Chase.Near the end, when the beautiful Madchen falls and is attacked by thousands of rats really made me worry because I could only think about her beautiful face getting disfigured. To my happiness, she only gets some scratches and is rescued by Spano and other guy. The rat massacre at the ending is also a must see for the cheese factor. What a cartoonish ending! This is a must see for people who have a phobia for rats like me. This is what Horror is about, scare and make you feel tense. This low budget movie makes it's job and entertains B-movie consumers for about 90 mins.Watch "The Rats" for it's intention to entertain and to watch the stunning, incredible Madchen Ammick.

Not for the weak hearted. Legions of vermin infest a Manhattan department store and causes concern for the city as they escape their underground world. Some very good computer generated effects: watching rats fill up an empty swimming pool will make you squirm. An above average made-for-TV movie and worth watching...if you can stand watching violent rats in rage. The cast includes: Madchen Amick, Vincent Spano, Shawn Michael Howard and Daveigh Chase. Creepy.