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“I don't know how much movies should entertain. To me I'm always interested in movies that scar. The thing I love about Jaws is the fact that I've never gone swimming in the ocean again.” --- David Fincher ::::::::::::: MY CRITERIA FOR DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSES THE HORROR GENRE AND BEYOND, SO I USE THE TERM "NIGHTMARE MOVIES". SPOILERS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Splice

July 7th 2010 01:34
Splice movie poster
Director Vincenzo Natali made the low-budget Cube (1997), a claustrophobic sf-thriller that was all premise and tedious as hell, yet has a small cult following. Natali was a storyboard artist for many years - worked on Ginger Snaps (2000) - until moving into directing, and Splice (2010) is his most ambitious project yet realised; a far-fetched, uneven, and rather irritating amalgam of science fiction, relationship drama, and shades of body horror a la David Cronenberg (whom I would’ve much preferred to have been in the director’s chair).
Splice Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley
Adrien Brody as Clive and Sarah Polley as Elsa
Elsa (Sarah Polley) and Clive (Adrian Brody), two maverick scientists, defy legal and ethical boundaries and forge ahead with a dangerous genetic experiment: splicing together human and animal DNA to create a new organism. The creature rapidly develops from a deformed female rodent-like infant into an elegant but dangerous winged human-chimera whom they name Dren (Delphine Chanéac), and a strange bond forms with each of her creators.
Splice Delphine Chanéac
Delphine Chanéac as Dren
Splice Sarah Polley
Peek-a-boo!
The premise is neat, and there are good actors on board; but I didn’t once believe either Polley or Brody as scientists (Brody was constantly upstaged by his t-shirts), and wasn’t convinced by their performances. However it’s the direction and screenplay I had the most problem with. It was predictable for much of the narrative, and the over-played direction reminded me of the kind of flossy, obvious storytelling techniques employed by French director Luc Besson. What a surprise then that Splice is a French/Canadian/American co-production; it feels it. There’s a flighty European sensibility that seizes hold of the narrative whisking it around like some kind of perverse romance (which it toys sexually with in the movie’s most audacious – and simultaneously risible – sequence), when it should be anchored in gripping drama.
Splice Sarah Polley
Elsa befriends Dren
Splice Delphine Chanéac and Sarah Polley
Elsa tries to teach Dren
I went into the screening wanting to like Splice (Guillermo Del Toro is one of the producers), but the writing was on the wall (er, screen) right from the start with the movie’s over-long and over-art-directed credit sequence (for me that’s never a good sign). The entire movie frustrated and annoyed me in equal measure. I realise its not a straight horror movie, and attempts to marry science fiction with contemporary advancements, yet with an edge of potential nightmare (which eventually becomes full-blown), but it was cute and (unintentially) comedic at moments that felt utterly incongruous with the tone that had proceeded these scenes. Essentially the story is that of The Modern Prometheus (AKA Frankenstein), and the characters of Elsa and Clive are lifted from the original two 1930s Hollywood movies. But there’s the carnal predatory nature of Species (1995) in there too.
Splice Delphine Chanéac
Dren can't help the predator within
The idea of inter-special intercourse and reproduction is not new in the sf literature realm, but it hasn’t been handled that often in sf cinema, probably because producers fear the revulsion factor would be too strong. The movie that deals with this kind of dangerous coital dabbling with no-holds-barred and with extraordinary results is the brilliant, but difficult, Possession (1981). Another - albeit never actually made - is the screenplay to The Tourist, one of the most famous unproduced screenplays to have floated around Hollywood.
Splice Delphine Chanéac
Dren spreads her wings as desire comes a-calling
Splice Delphine Chanéac and Sarah Polley
Confrontation with the parents is inevitable
The special effects work from the ubiquitous KNB EFX Group through the movie is good, but nothing amazing. By the movie’s last quarter the tone seems to settle in, but its all too late. The nightmare has been fully unleashed, the sexual charge is taking control, the gender-bender element has taken over, the plight of Elsa, Clive and their creation, Dren, is up in the air. But, despite some tense moments, and an ending that cries like a baby, “Seeeeequeeeeel!” Splice failed to be the instant cult classic it badly wants to be. The disturbing news is director Natali is set to direct one of my favourite sf novels, Neuromancer by William Gibson. I had clung to the thin hope this book (of which all the good ideas have been plundered already) would be directed by Martin Scorsese finally making a sf movie, but I would’ve been happy to see David Fincher at the helm.

Here’s the trailer:


Splice Delphine Chanéac
Splice ballet

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews
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11 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Deni

July 7th 2010 01:49


Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Bryn,

Great review and I couldn't agree with you more.

I have a review sitting in my draft folder collecting dust (it's been there for weeks), waiting and most likely it will never see the light of day.

This movie was so convoluted that I didn't even know where to start. I have no idea what it was trying to be or the message it was going for and the ending was such a mess of disappointment.

I just might hit delete after all - it's only a paragraph.



Comment by Catherine Stebbins

July 7th 2010 02:48


Cinema Enthusiast
Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher
Nice review! I just happened to love it though outside of the last 10 minutes. This is also coming from someone who found Cube anything but tedious. But to each their own.

Comment by ShaunK

July 7th 2010 12:59


Screen Adventure
Hey Bryn, the images alone , from this film, put me off any interest in seeing it.

Comment by Deni

July 7th 2010 17:30


Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Shaun, you're not missing much. Seriously, the movie went into like three different directions and the ending was a big WTF moment for me .




Comment by JohnDoe

July 7th 2010 22:10


Film & TV on DVD
Hi Bryn,

I still hold out hope for this one despite its surface similarities to Species, mainly because I am a fan of the Director.

Cube is undoubtedly his low budget gem that instead of tedium actually riveted me to every frame. Cypher was a definite step down but still an enjoyable mind game.

I think his intellectual style will be suited to Neuromancer but only time will tell.

Comment by Bryn

July 7th 2010 22:59


Horrorphile
Catherine and JD ... you guys are part of that cult minority ... I think another factor that put me off Cube was I didn't believe any of the performances. I've not seen Cypher, is that the one with Lucy Lui?

Shaun, I rest my case.

Deni, actually I didn't mind the very end, but I saw it coming, only in an alternate way.

JD, if he adds any of the uneven "Luc Besson" style tone in Neuromancer, I'll be seeking blood!

Comment by Deni

July 8th 2010 01:22


Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Bryn, I'm not talking about the very end where Elsa receives a "gift" - that ending made sense - I think for story purposes it had to go there or something similar. Movies have to end with a "catch". I'm talking about the chase scene in the woods. If that's the bit you liked - well you're a horror fan but to me it just seemed liked random overkill.



Comment by David O'Connell

July 8th 2010 07:39


Screen Fanatic
You can count me in as a fan of Cube too Bryn, though I like the concept and execution more than the acting which is pretty C-grade to say the least. But like JD, I'm still willing to give this a go based on Natali's name. though I'm not overly-excited about it now.

Comment by Bryn

July 9th 2010 01:20


Horrorphile
Deni ... I was hankering for something genuinely exhilerating ...

David, performances are paramount for me, if I don't believe 'em, the movie pretty much goes out the door.

Comment by Natalina

July 16th 2010 00:22


My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I thought of you as I sat and watched this film. I thought, "Oh I bet Bryn will have a few things to say about this one!"

There were a FEW things I liked about this movie, and for lack of a better term... I enjoyed the "prettiness" of it. The lovely Dren, the night sky and the woods... these were pleasing to my eyeballs. Beyond that... blah. And I get so tired of Adrian Brody's "Too cool for school" thing. He comes off the same in most of his movies as he does in interviews. Especially in this one. Clearly they allowed him to determine his own wardrobe. He just wears me out.

By the by, I actually thought they were going to take this film in a demented and different direction. I thought Sarah Polly's character was going to be taken in a wickedly different path after she takes the cat away and then with the operating table scene in the barn. I think they missed an opportunity there to turn the tables. Ala "who's the real monster"... see what I mean? Oh well. Maybe that's why I don't make movies

Comment by Bryn

July 16th 2010 05:33


Horrorphile
Nat, great to "see" you ... I agree wholeheartedly with you ... Perhaps it was the horrorphile in us crying out for more aberration!

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