Splice
Warner Bros
Cinema Release
Splice is a modern Frankenstein tale set in the world of genetic
research. Genetic engineers Clive (Adrien Brody) and
Elsa (Sarah Polley) have been working on the creation
of new species by bringing together the DNA from different animals. They have
produced an amazing creature which will produce new genetic material which will
revolutionize animal science and agriculture for many years to come. However,
Clive and Elsa do not wish to stop at animal hybrids. They believe that they
can use their new splicing technique to create a new human-animal hybrid which
could open a new world of genetic medicine.
The company they work for (NERD) is not so convinced, they have
invested big bucks in the original project and want immediate bankable results
before embarking on a new, and potentially more ethically explosive, series of
experiments. They are worried about possible controversy about any human –animal
experiments and do not want their company to be the centre of a debate about
such issues.
Elsa has many inner demons, including a mother who was mentally
unstable and a love-hate relationship with the idea of being a mother. Under the
pressure of losing the right to take what she perceives to be her research
forward Elsa decides to take matters into her own hands. She convinces Clive to
work with her promising to abort the embryo before birth, but things move to
quickly and are soon out of control. Clive and Elsa now have a strange and
bizarre monster child which they name Dren. She has a
lot of human characteristics but is unable to learn the boundaries or
structures of social interaction. Her body includes a poison tail stinger and
has many unusual characteristics, her legs are more animal like and she grows
at an alarming speed.
At the first public display of the original project things go
horribly wrong, it seems all this splicing has made the specimens unstable and
the two lovable little creatures tear each other to shreds in front of a
terrified audience of scientists and investors. Not only are they unstable but
they have changed sex and Clive and Elsa seem unable to extract the necessary genetic
information from their remains to complete the project.
Clive and Elsa must work fast as Dren is
hidden inside the lab and may easily be discovered, they move Dren to an isolated farm. However, as Dren
develops emotions erupt as the scientists lose their ethical bearings,
including an uncomfortable scene when Clive is seduced by Dren’s
beauty and allows himself a dangerous moment of passion.
This is certainly a strange and wonderful Frankenstein tale, the CGI alone makes this a superb work of science
fiction horror. Dren is an astounding creation which evokes
both a sense of horror and pity, she is both beautiful and yet repelling. This
“ickyness” makes the film stand out from many of a
similar ilk. Indeed the mixture of horror, psychological terror, sex and
genetics reminds me of the earlier work of David Cronenberg,
another Canadian filmmaker.
The psychological aspects of the story which explore themes of
parenthood, personal and scientist boundaries and neurosis and jealousy are
well represented. The acting is solid and the cinematography excellent.
The film does require a certain “willing suspension of disbelief”.
Just how many scientists would be stupid enough to go this far and then
continue to pile on error after error. That being said it is a great science
fiction horror story and worth seeing.
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