I've been looking forward to this film for over at least 1 year. It's hard to pin down when exactly, but I've been pumped up for a while. As a result, I faced much trepidation over whther this film would live up to my lofty expectations. For once, I was actually satisfied. This movie actually lived up to all of my expectations. Where to begin?
The poster is an obvious nod to the original Alien film from 1979. 30 years and a few terrible sequels later there is no modern standard to match the atmosphere and sheer discomfort caused by Ridley Scott's masterpiece.
Until now.
Splice opens with a disturbing yet comforting artful set of credits, firmly placing itself in the uncanny valley of movie monsters, and it dwells there the entire ride. We're introduced by two Mothra larvae called Fred and ginger, which are precursors to the real monster under the bed of this film, Dren portrayed masterfully by Delphine Chanéac. She is under makeup and a good degree of CGI, but the effects are understated and she brings an uncomfortable human element to the creature that makes it truly terrifying.
The camerawork is spot on the whole ride, no complaints. The sets are convincing, even the supporting cast is beyond reproach. David Hewlett plays the same annoying guy he was on Stargate Atlantis. But really, the two actors of consequence here are Adrian Brody as Clive and Sarah Polley as Elsa. Brody is good, he's always pretty good. Consistently acceptable in pretty much everything. His performance is not a tour de force, but I have no complaints. Polley on the other hand gave a wonderful performance as the scientist/mothering figure. I felt for her the whole time.
Now, for the real test of a horror film: Was it scary? In a word, yes. And the last time a film actually made me look at the screen sideways was Audition. The monster wasn't too gross, too computerized, too inhuman, too scary, it was just the perfect balance of everything a horror film needs to be.
Some of the plot points are a little hackneyed which takes this film from a perfect score, but it came damn close.
****.5 out of *****
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