Splice Review

It's been a long time since I've been really excited about a new movie. But when I heard of Vincenzo Natali's new film, Splice, I got all jittery. Being a huge fan of Natali's previous work with Cube and it's Kafkaesque psycho-horror and Cypher with it's twisted Sci-Fi paradoxes, the idea of a new sci-fi horror from the master is enough to get me baying at the leash. And after finally getting the blu-ray release, I have to say: I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic, surprisingly deep, intelligent, moving and ultimately terrifying experience.

The basic premise of Splice focuses on Clive and Else (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley), gene-splicing's "rock star" couple. After just inventing Fred and Ginger, two organism engineered to create cures in livestock, they are pushing management for the opportunity to create the first human-animal hybrid. Of course, management denies, pushing for more revenue. They close down the gene splicing lab and turn it into a chemical manufacturing plant, leaving Clive and Elsa frustrated and rebellious. So they do what any good scientist does and create a human chimera anyway. What Splice does that is so different to any other genetically engineered monster movie is it looks for the humanity, not only within the "monster" but within it's creators. Natali uses the creature, Dren (Delphine Chaneac), as a kind of mirror on humanity, revealing our greatest flaws and triumphs within one innocent creature. The horror, funnily enough, does not come from the creature, but from the humans, as the relationship between creator and creation shifts through some horrifying aspects, from Elsa's maternal instincts to Clive unhealthy affection. To say anymore would be to ruin the best surprises. While the script is fantastic, the ending does leave a bit of a bad taste in your mouth, although there really doesn't seem any other way he could have ended it, it's still a little disappointing.

The performances, however, especially those of the three protagonists, are briliant. Brody, as always, provides a heavily nuanced performance, showing once again he is not out of home anywhere on film. Polley's Elsa at time feels a little forced and underdeveloped, but that is as much the scripts fault as Polley's performance. The real star of the show, though, is Delphine's Dren. She finds such innocence and humanity in this creature. A kind of isolation and confusion, that feeling of being alone in the universe, the only one of her kind and just trying to find somewhere to fit in. The rapid aging of Dren means she is a perpetual child, trapped within an adult's body and Delphine brings such nuance to the creature that she is often more believable than her human counterparts. Unfortunately, the supporting cast is underacted and underwritten, but in the end, this is Dren's story, wo it doesn't matter too much.

The sound is for the most part forgettable. The score is well written and suitable, but nothing overly memorable. The audio is clear and well mixed, especially on Blu Ray.

From the moment the enigmatic opening titles roll, you realise that you are in for something completely unique with Spliec, and that's what you get. It's not perfect, but yet again Natali as created a unique masterpiece in a world so full of imitation. This is a brave piece, a bold vision, a shocking vision even, made more terrifying but just how close it cuts to home. If you're a Natali fan, a sci fi fan, a horror fan, or you just like a good movie; this is the film for you. Unique, brilliant and terrifying, Splice is a must-see.

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