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· Year: 1986
· Director: David Cronenberg
· Writer:
· Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis
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Part of The Fly series.
· Followed by The Fly II.
· A remake of the 1958 movie The Fly.
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Amazon.com
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| Synopsis |
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A brilliant scientist's botched experiment with teleportation gives him superhuman abilities--but with horrifying consequences.
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RATING
Out of 100 |
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90
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| COLD ANALYSIS |
| 3.0 -ATMOSPHERE |
| 4.0 -GORE |
| 3.5 -HUMOR |
| 3.25 -SCARES |
| 3.5 -TENSION |
Okay, okay, I should admit up front that I am a sucker for the films of David Cronenberg. There is a strange biomorphic sensuality to his work that alienates some, confuses others, and enamors folks such as myslf. That said, The Fly is, along with The Dead Zone, the most accessible film Cronenberg has made to date.
That is not to say that the film is easy. In a very real way, this is as disturbing a film as he has done, filled with hints at abortion, retardation and the dangerous Pandora's Box that is genetic engineering. It is also highly entertaining.
Jeff Goldblum soars as Seth Brundle, a role particularly suited to his quirkiness. Geena Davis is likewise effective as his lover who tries to save her rapidly-changing flame. The true star here is the effects wizard Chris Walas, who manges o show a metamorphosis that is simultaneously heartbreaking and stomach-turning. Brundle's battle for humanity is a testament to Goldblum's talent as he acts marvelously beneath heavy prosthetics.
The conclusion of the film is nearly foregone, but the battle that rages between the films opening and closing is allegory for man's struggle to retain humanity as technology supercedes our wisdom. This is a rarity: a thoughtful psychological horror film disguised as a matinee gorefest. A must-see for any horror fan who likes a little meat on his corpse.
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