Damn, I missed the old school mad scientist movies! Vincenzo Natali's Splice is a return to the classic monster movies that Universal made so famous in the early days of cinema. It is absolutely no coincidence that this movie mirrors the Universal classics, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. Even the main characters names: Clive and Elsa are torn straight from those immortal films (Colin Clive and Elsa Lanchester). The only things missing from Splice that would truly make it a direct rip-off would be a helpless, screaming woman (none of those anywhere to be found here) and a bloodthirsty, pitchfork and torch bearing mob.
This surprising movie pays homage to its lineage with amoral science gone awry, a sympathetic monster, and a dark, noir feel about the whole thing. Adrien Brody (The Pianist, King Kong) plays Clive, and Sarah Polley (Dawn of the Dead, Go) portrays Elsa. Both are scientists, both a bit mad in their own ways. Delphine Chaneac (The Pink Panther), however, is magnificent as Dren. She gives this creature a sympathetic air and a believability that has not been seen in a movie monster for decades.
Splice is one of those movies that, unfortunately, had Madison Avenue's fingers all over it when it was released. It suffered from the indignity of being marketed as a rip-off of a much lesser film: Species. Make no mistake: THIS IS NO SPECIES. This is an intelligent and well made movie that pays tribute and respect to its elders. If you are into the classic Universal Monsters, intelligent horror, or are just looking for a good time in front of the TV tonight; grab a bag of popcorn, turn off the lights and enjoy Splice. 7.75/10.
Tomorrow's movie: the (unnecessary?) remake of 1978's Day of the Woman. I was so totally put off when I saw the original of this I vowed to never watch it again.......I can only imagine what the filmmakers are doing to "update" this one. See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!
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