Sci-fi turns into a horrific nightmare - thats what Splice is all about. Director Vincenzo Natali also has a cautious message for cutting-edge scientists not to get too involved in research and experiment,and certainly not use their own bodies for advancement. Researchers Clive and Elsa,a romantic couple,is overseeing the birth of a gruesome new life-form that looks like a giant tongue. Not content with their hybrid of livestock genes,which was developed in search of new pharma-friendly proteins,Elsa covertly goes one step beyond slipping some human DNA into the mix to fertilise an egg that is never supposed to become a living creature but,of course,it does. This new,quick-growing little monster,eventually known as Dren (nerd spelt backwards),at first appears aggressive but is quite docile. Later on,as it rapidly matures into an inquisitive adolescent,the being yearns to be more than mere research. Fearing exposure,Clive and Elsa lock Dren up in a remote cabin. Naturally,the creature is less than happy. As the company starts investigating Clives and Elsas methods,Dren begins to grow antsy and then violent. The climax is right out of the horror textbook. Splice gets by with the amazing acting prowess of Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley despite the clichés. French actress Delphine Chaneac as Dren gives an animated,expressive performance. Once Dren is born,and the wonderful FX work by Gregory Nicotero and Howard Berger comes in,director Vincenzo Natali builds up curiosity about what will become of Dren. But as the end approaches,Splice goes from good to groan-inducing. As Clive and Elsa come to their senses and determine that something must be done about the abnormal abomination,Splice now slinks into the standard scare stuff,where fangs are bared and a snappy tail pierces to kill. RATING: *** One star each for performances,special effects and production values.
