It's pretty interesting, slightly creepy, and fun.

And then...



So it became hilarious. And ridiculous.

Splice is an amazing sci-fi horror piece thanks to a riveting script and strong performances. Splice is unique in that there hasn't been a film around in such a context, at least to mainstream audiences. Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley do excellent in their roles bringing the depth and emotion needed for each without coming across as shallow. The character of Dren is also magnificent and that even though she rarely spoke, her character is still remarkably strong. While there are a couple odds scenes that keep it just shy of a perfect film, Splice is a film that should be appreciated for the unique one it is. Too bad the ending and much of the film will throw off general audiences. ***1/2

It's a shame but the audience I saw it with hated it.

Rarely spoke? I think Dren says a total of two words during the film, heh.

Exactly. Hence "rarely"

For 75 or so minutes, Splice is near-perfect science fiction. The central theme (the potential consequences of creating a new species) is interesting and suspenseful. There are surprising twists and turns, and the blend of genre atmosphere and human drama is just right. It is unfortunate the film, in the final act, becomes a predictable slasher in which the characters misplace their intelligence and monster-movie camp reigns supreme. Still, despite this eleventh-hour detour, Splice is a fine film.

B+

Same problem with "Sunshine", the first 2/3rds were the best thing to come out of 2007.

Sure, it does devolve into violence like every single recent science-fiction movie that isn't Moon. But at least the violence makes sense. In Sunshine, the antagonist made little to no sense. In Splice, the inevitable killings aren't just clearly foreshadowed/created by the central characters abusive parental technique--they play straight into the line that best sums up the theme: "What could possibly go wrong?"

In it's pessimism, Splice very much resembles Vincenzo Natali's first show-stopper Cube. Both movies have a brilliant premise and make the most of some fine actors. Unlike the ensemble cast of Cube, Splice narrows the meaty relationships to its seriously twisted family unit of three. Luckily, Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, and (especially) Delphine Chaneac all bring their A-game. If Splice is at times uneven (the supporting characters, particular Clive's brother, barely register,) it is certainly not shallow. Long, long in gestation, the film hints at layers and layers of places for characters (human and penis-maggot) to burrow. I took great pleasure in watching how individually great scenes, like the presentation of Ginger and Fred to the corporation crowd, end up playing an integral role in the evolution of Dren. No doubt the star of the show, Dren is a phenomenal creature. A least, until the aforementioned weak climax. The limited budget never shows more than in those final minutes. Luckily, Natali knows how to pull off a great ending. Just like Cube and Nothing, the last scene is a black, open-ended cherry to top off this wonderful, strange mutant cake. A+

So really, none of you found...



just beyond disturbing??? My stomach was sick for hours after watching this!

Too much popcorn?

This is the best movie of the year so far, which isn't saying much since it's still early and there are so many movies I've yet to see. It's very cool and twisted, though to be honest I expected it to be a bit more messed up from everything I'd heard. I like weird movies so I was certainly hoping. It's surprisingly unique. It borrows from several other movies and ends up feeling like something completely different. That's not to say it's not predictable though, since it's fairly easy to figure out where it's all headed.

Dren was such a great character and Delphine Chaneac gave a terrific performance. I loved the scenes of Dren while she was growing up and how Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody's characters were like her parents.


I can't say I was incredibly bothered by it delving into horror territory in the end, since that is normally where a movie like this ends up heading. However, it could have been something even more fantastic had it not went there. It doesn't ruin the movie, it just feels like it could have been something more.


8/10 (A-)

I generally agree with the consensus; it's more concept than execution, and the finale is generic in all the wrong ways, but it's still highly intriguing with more than a few shades of early Cronenberg. The sex scene itself didn't bother me so much as how it seemed to be completely ignored for the rest of the movie, explained away as just another guy who couldn't help himself.

The ending doesn't derail the movie, but it's totally unneeded. Something low-key would've sufficed.

Yet another retelling of the Frankenstein tale, though the skill of Sarah Polley in the creepy role of the good doctor carries this film into the realm of quality sci-fi. That doesn't stop Splice from going way over the top in the third act, but as it turns out that's a good thing. The quality horror and science, while always present, didn't stop the director from spinning a great yarn. This is one of those rare movie stories that chooses to veer off in surprising directions. It's a grade "A" B-movie!


8 out of 5.