“We’ve crossed a line. We got confused!” These words are pronounced by Adrien Brody and no truer words have ever been spoken. In the film Splice, Adrien Brody (The Pianist) and Sarah Polley (The Secret Life of Words) play scientists who have successfully created a new life form by mixing the DNA of several animal species. After two rousing successes, they want to try adding human DNA next, but their financiers shut them down. Not to be deterred, Elsa and Clive continue in secret and bio-engineer Dren, a humanoid creature with surprising animal characteristics.
What makes this film so fascinating and elevates it above your average horror fare is great performances and the moral and ethical issues that Clive and Elsa must face. As a couple, both in the lab and romantically, they have many obstacles to overcome. But when they both become emotionally attached to Dren, losing all their scientific objectivity, things really start to deteriorate threatening their careers and everything they have worked for.
One of the superior qualities of this film is the human factor. Clive and Elsa are flawed people acting like gods with the “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” type attitude. Driven by the possibility of science and forgetting the practical application, they create a life that they are now responsible for. And what makes this monster story so compelling is the relationship between the three of them. French actress Delphine Chaneac gives Dren an enigmatic personality and a sympathetic soul. With a mixture of live acting, digital graphics and puppetry, Dren becomes a unwitting participant in this bizarre love triangle. The creature effects in this film are truly remarkable, and Dren will walk, or swim, or fly right into your heart. But watch your back, we don’t know what anyone is capable of.
Rating: Must See A must see for the horror fan
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
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Saw this with my son in San Francisco. Very interesting, and captivating.
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