Splice
When Elsa and Clive (Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody) learn that the parent company of their biomedical lab is shutting down operations, the two decide to go rogue and begin making questionable ethical decisions in an effort to prove to themselves what they’re capable of. In this case, it’s the splicing of human genes with the genes of other animals in an effort to produce enzymes that could cure many of the diseases of today. Things get out of control quickly as their creation begins growing at an accelerated rate which leads to more ethical questions. Of course, eventually the cost of their decisions will catch up with them, but how many lives will be directly altered because of this new species creation?
With a script that basically telegraphs every move, there’s not a lot of surprise or even suspense in this semi horror sci-fi thriller. But from a psychological perspective the film stays interesting and makes several interesting turns along the way that feel insightful and real. Sadly,for all of it’s smarts, there even comes a point where the overall message unintentionally becomes laughable instead of moving, perhaps a flaw in the hybrid nature of the film, poetic? As a lower budget sci-fi flick the effects are mostly forgivable and will certainly beat anything on the Sci-Fi Channel. Overall, I guess I’m mixed on this one, perhaps a matinee here too. Splice is rated R.