Splice
Release Date:
June 4, 2010
On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 114/123 |
David Mumpower |
I was as excited for this as any summer movie. The problem is that when the story went for it, I did not go with them. Ick. |
Smart sci-fi almost seems to be a contradiction in terms in Hollywood these days, with the term generally being synonymous with explosions and idiot plots. Some filmmakers are still trying to do the genre justice.
Vincenzo Natali is one of those, bringing is genetics-horror film Splice to the screen. Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody star as ethically challenged scientists who create a new life form by blending human and animal DNA – resulting in a vaguely humanoid creature which, as always
happens in these films, develops malevolent intent. Oh when, oh when will these scientists learn that playing god, while loads of fun, always ends in disaster?
Natali came to the world’s attention with the 1997 film Cube, which was a case study of how to make an intelligent sci-fi film on next to no budget, and still make it astoundingly entertaining. Mainstream success has eluded him (or perhaps he’s eluded it), but Splice represents his biggest film to date. Without big stars, it’s not likely to have a huge impact on the box office, but a Species-like run isn’t impossible. (Reagen Sulewski/BOP)
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