Movie Critique #2: The Fly

The Fly

To start this critique off, I am going to talk about some of the plot. Seth Brundle (played by Jeff Goldblum) is a scientist at least 50 years ahead of his time. In The Fly, Dr. Brundle has created a way of transporting inanimate objects from one "Telepod" to another using teleportation. The problem with this is that he can only teleport inanimate objects. He puts a baboon in one telepod, and teleports it across the room, only to be surprised with an inside-out baboon in the second telepod. Showing his newest invention to Veronica Quaife (Gina Davis), they begin on a journey of a better understanding of the telepods, turning the movie into a love story with a very tragic ending.

Dr. Brundle obsessed with teleportation, teleports himself (after perfecting the process of course) from one telepod to the next. When he comes out the other side, he appears to be relatively unharmed, except that he was teleported with a fly. DNA from the fly combined with his DNA, causing him to undergo changes. At first, the changes are great, and include super strength, super sexual stamina, and an ability to climb on walls. After that point, and Veronica finding out she's pregnant, Dr. Brundle's body begins to break down, and he becomes unable to move around properly, or even eat.

At the mind bending climax of this film, Dr. Brundle (also known at this point as Brundle-Fly), completely breaks down revealing a grotesque combination of half-man, half-fly completely obsessed now not only with teleportation, but with complete genetic combination. Now, the life of the ones he loves are in his hands, but now he has claws...

Jeff Goldblum plays a brilliant scientist (as usual) in the 1986 remake of The Fly. The original was clearly outdated, and is easily surpassed by this adaptation of the movie by David Cronenberg. Jeff Goldblum has been in such movies as: Jurassic Park (I and II), Holy Man, and Independence Day. Setting aside the fact that Jeff Goldblum just happens to be one of my favourite actors in the world, he is amazing in The Fly. He plays a genious, a creep, and eventually a freakin' crazy weirdo throughout the movie, and does it all flawlessly.

Gina Davis plays a science magazine journalist enthralled by Seth Brundle's telepods, and begins filming his every move with the project. Gina Davis is brilliant as a love-addicted, but independent woman searching for her big break. As it is in the 1958 version of The Fly, she is left with the choice of whether or not she should help "The Fly" commit suicide. She makes the same choice in both movies, so no surprise there.

The Fly is by far one of my favourite (and by favourite, I mean top 5) horror movies of all time. There is almost no comparison, it captivates from the beginning, terrifies throughout, and makes you tear up at the end. It is THE perfect horror film ever made. Kudos go to David Cronenberg for his brilliant masterpiece. Overall Rating: (no surprise here) 10/10!

Thank you for reading my critique on The Fly, please stay tuned for other critiques as time goes on.

Shane