Review: Splice

Plot: Two geneticists Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley) researching the cures for various diseases create an animal/human hybrid. However as Dren (Delphine Chaneac) begins to develop, her increasingly violent tendencies result in dire consequences for everyone around her.

Review: Splice is the bastard child of Alien, The Fly, and Species and the resulting progeny is about as interesting as watching the reproductive habits of amoebas. Despite receiving excellent reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, Splice is nothing more than a mildly entertaining retelling of the Frankenstein story with a predictable plot and ending. The story of "scientists playing God" is more played out than the "Pants on the Ground" song from American Idol. Splice is further proof of the lack of original storytelling when it comes to the horror genre. More schlock than shock, one of the biggest problems about Splice is that IT'S NOT SCARY! Other than a few "shock you by making an abrupt sound" moments there is nothing remotely fear provoking about the film. The presence of tension or a sense of foreboding is severely lacking. Some elements are even downright hokey. Take for example the creature's name. Dren is "nerd" spelled backwards. Seriously? How did writers Vincenzo Natali (also director), Doug Taylor, and Antoinette Mary Bryant cut the Gordian Knot when they came up with this name? Why not call her Keeg or Krod? Look I don't mind revisiting old themes, but at least make it interesting and compelling for the audience. Take for example the excellent 2002 film Equilibrium starring Christian Bale and Rochester's own Taye Diggs. It includes elements of Brave New World, 1984, and The Matrix but tells the story in an interesting and thought provoking way. But I digress. One of my friend's friends who also saw the film thought it was the worst piece of trash ever put on screen. I wouldn't go that far. Splice is not without its merits. Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody's acting is very solid even though the characters of Clive and Elsa are very stock. Clive wants desperately to take his relationship with Elsa to the next level (i.e children) but Elsa resists because (surprise!) she has Mommie issues. Dren meanwhile comes across as a spoiled child throwing temper tantrums. There is no inherent maliciousness about her. This unorthodox nuclear family generates bizarre moments like Dren's obsession with TicTacs and a more than disturbing sexual attraction for Brody's character. The film's laboratory scenes possess a sterile antiseptic quality to them that contrasts well with the farm Dren is taken to. Kudos to cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata for that. The scene of Dren's birth early in the movie resonates well. After that it's all downhill. My suggestion? Skip Splice and watch David Cronenberg's classic 1986 film The Fly. It's much more compelling, interesting, and scarier than Splice.

My rating: 4/10