MPAA Rating: R/ Genre: Sci-Fi Horror/ Stars: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel, Leslie Carlson/Runtime: 96 minutes
I feel it is fair to start this review off by saying that remakes really are a tricky business. Indeed whether it be due to audiences and their fond remembrance for the original work, or the fact that the story wouldn’t work in today’s world it’s no secret that making a remake to a classic is no easy task let alone making an remake that both fans and professional critics are going to embrace/love and call their own. This of course was the issue that would be the biggest challenge facing the 1986 remake to The Fly. Amazingly, not only did the movie rise to the challenge, but by utilizing incredible make-up effects, a smart and solid script, and a game cast with an extraordinary Jeff Goldblum in the lead, this is one remake that is able to stand on its own as a proud moment for sci-fi horror cinema.
The plot is as follows: While scouting around a party for a story for the scientific magazine she works for, a writer stumbles upon a scientist named Seth Brundle who intrigues her with the promise that what he is working on will “change the world as we know it”. Her curiosity piqued, she goes back with him to his lab where she discovers that he has astonishingly developed a way to teleport objects. Sensing a major opportunity, she quickly finds herself becoming his main journalistic chronicler/personal assistant, and it isn’t long before the relationship turns personal. Soon though the scientist decides it’s time for human trials, and tests the process on himself and amazingly it is a resounding success. Yet, unbeknownst to either one of them, the success has a small wrinkle attached, and it is this wrinkle that will quickly turn one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs ever into a horrific nightmare unlike any other.
Now the first thing that truly makes this movie stand out is the solid script that was written not only by director of the piece David Cronenberg, but also by a man named Charles Edward Pogue and this truly is one of the more gripping, and shockingly emotional sci-fi horror films I have ever seen. This may be due to the fact that not only is this more than just a sci-fi horror film, in fact one could argue that this is a tragedy of the same ilk as The Wolfman, but also because the characters in this film are so well-developed and three-dimensional that you actually come to care about each of them by film’s end and not once does it ever feel anything less than poignant and/or genuine to the fullest…..a feat that is proven increasingly harder and harder to pull off as a viewer due to in no small part to Brundle slowly, but surely losing his humanity and the insect slowly, but surely starting to emerge….Yet nevertheless the script does a wonderful job of really going out of its way to make the characters seem like actual people rather than archetypes.
Also can I just say that despite being close to 35 years old, ‘The Fly’ still looks amazingly great for an 80’s movie? Indeed that’s not to say David Cronenberg doesn’t know how to make a film look good, in fact he has always been in my eye a very technically accomplished director, but I still nevertheless feel that ‘The Fly’ has to be one of the best looking on his resume. Indeed herein, we get not only a mastery of visuals and effects, but also some truly atmospheric, and remarkably elegant photography. Also I love not only how Cronenberg delivers a film in his usual style, indeed make no mistake there is gore and it will churn your stomach at least once yet it is used sparingly and effectively, but then mixes it with some wonderful thrills, a sense of humor, and a dollop of emotion, and you are left with an eclectic film that still manages to come together quite wonderfully.
I also definitely need to give huge credit to the special/make-up effects team behind this movie. The reason is not just because the effects are pretty darn impressive, but because they were a technical achievement back then and because they still hold up extremely well now. I mean just the evolution of Brundle at various points in this movie will make you both gasp and be grossed out at the same time, and it is all due to the wonderful job that the make-up department does at showcasing this poor albeit rash and impulsive, scientist’s journey as he goes from being human to…..well when you see the movie you’ll see. I’m not about to spoil those effects. Suffice it to say that when you see them I promise not only will you never forget about them, even if you want to, but you’ll see why this is the only Cronenberg film to ever win an Oscar. They are that phenomenal and next-level.
Now I have always felt that Jeff Goldblum has been one of the best underutilized actors that Hollywood has ever possessed. Indeed it’s not that he doesn’t have some amazing films on his resume; Jurassic Park, Thor: Ragnarok, The Big Chill, and even the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which will be covered in greater detail in a later review, all prove that the man is an immensely-talented actor with a unique style all his own. It’s just that I feel he usually doesn’t get the credit that he deserves. Should you want to see a movie though where he was the perfect choice for the role though, look no further. Indeed this is easily one of the top 5 performances that Goldblum has done in his entire career because he is perfect as Seth Brundle. Indeed I feel that not only does Goldblum manage to look the part of our socially-awkward albeit quick to act on impulse scientist protagonist remarkably well, but that he also manages to capture the man’s heart and humanity as well. Thus when he starts going through the horrific changes that his character must go-through sure you’re disgusted and grossed-out, but because you remember the man that this used to be you also feel sorry for him, and Goldblum manages to take this character, make it his own, and turn in a performance for the ages. Matching Goldblum though is a performance from none other than Geena Davis, 2-years shy at the time of her role in Beetlejuice. Indeed Miss Davis is in fine form here as she manages to truly represent the array of emotions that we in the audience are feeling as we go through this horrific nightmare with her, and so by film’s end we not only feel for her; rather we are also able to say that if we were in her shoes we would most likely do what she does because we would do the same, and this just helps Davis’ performance that much more wonderful yet appealing as well.
All in all be afraid. Be very afraid. I say that not because The Fly is a failure. Rather I say that because The Fly is one of those rare remakes that not only works, but that I would even say is on par with if not surpasses the original. Indeed thanks to stylish directing, an amazing collection of special/make-up effects on full display, a story that has just as much heart as horror, and wonderful performances from its 2 lead actors, The Fly is definitely worth the buzz, and is an essential part to any serious movie collection. On a scale of 1-5 I give The Fly “86” a solid 4 out of 5.
Note from the writer- Here again movie lovers is where yet another trailer should be; however, also once again, due to our external research, we have determined that the trailer for this movie might be detrimental to your viewing pleasure of the film in question. Therefore we have elected not to put it here. Thank you as always for all your support and we’ll see you guys…..at the movies! Ag
