Splice (2009)

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Vincenzo Natali

Writers (WGA):

Vincenzo Natali (screenplay) &
Antoinette Terry Bryant (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 January 2010 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Science newest miracle...is a mistake.

Plot:

Elsa and Clive, two young rebellious scientists, defy legal and ethical boundaries and forge ahead with...

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Adrien Brody	...	Clive
Sarah Polley	...	Elsa
David Hewlett	...	Barlow
Abigail Chu	...	Young Dren
Delphine Chanéac	...	Dren
Brandon McGibbon	...	Gavin
Amanda Brugel	...	Melinda Finch
Stephanie Baird	...	Elsa / PD

Also Known As:

Hybrid (France)

Country:

Canada | France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Black Creek Pioneer Village, North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Gaumont

Soundtrack:

LOVE CAN'T HIDE

A breakthrough in science, a repetition in film

I saw a post-production screening of this a few months ago. I'll admit that it was entertaining, but not very original. The gossip has already started to circulate regarding the connection between this film and Species. In fact, Splice borrows from many other movies. It feels like, Alien, Species, Mimic, and even a little bit of E.T. mixed in a blender.

The story focuses on Elsa and Clive, two young ambitious scientists who have made a breakthrough, which has created a strange humanoid creature. They decide to hide it from their bosses, and take care of it themselves. This creature grows quickly, learning like a human, until it becomes sexually mature and dangerous.

As a consequence of the mix matching of other film plots, Splice feels a little confused in direction. At times it feels like a quirky science flick, then a horror, then almost a soap opera if you can believe it. As unoriginal as it is however, Splice is not boring. There is actually a certain level of engagement in watching the relationship between the two scientists and their creation. As problems slowly start to arise, there is a sense of the inevitable to come.

Splice works fairly well as a horror sci-fi, but its attempts at crafting good character dimension and development seem not so much weak, but confusing. Characters we like in the beginning end up being unlikeable in the end. Sarah Polley gets a little too nasty for her own good, and she ends up upstaging Adrian Brody, both of whom get upstaged by the creature 'Dren'.

I probably shouldn't say anything more, seeing as Splice hasn't even come out yet. When it does, if it sounds interesting, you may as well see it. Just don't expect anything new