Critic Review - Detroit News

Daring, disturbing and deliciously twisted.

June 4, 2010 Full Review Source: Detroit News | Comments (10)
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Jeremy B.

Jeremy Bowman

Daring,thats funny. What's daring about this movie? This movie lacked originality. It was a safe bet, considering it was just a clone of the series "Species".

Jun 5 - 09:03 AM


Jay Naylor

Jeremy, have you seen Species? If you had, then you would know there is no relation. Species is alien hybrid from outer space. Splice is genetic fabrication from nature. No correlation what so ever.

Jun 6 - 03:46 PM


Matt Welch

Jeremy, congratulations on proving to everyone reading this that you have not actually watched the movie you are insulting, and that you seem to have not in fact even seen Species, the movie you are comparing it to. Good job there buddy!

Jun 6 - 11:38 PM

Tyburn G.

Tyburn Gallows

Splice was a terrible, convoluted, laugh-out-loud mess. The too-cool-for-school, Emo scientist team that created the monster was way too immature, irresponsible and unethical to be believed as pioneer's in their field. And, how contrived was the name of the lab they worked for, Nucleic Enzyme Research and Development (A.K.A. N.E.R.D)? Seriously ? Which leads me to the creature's name, Dren (nerd spelled backwards). That's a rip-off from an old episode of Happy Days. In that episode, Joanie Cunningham has a crush on Potsie Weber and nicknames him Dren because, although everyone thinks he's a nerd, she thinks he's the opposite. Also, how could the scientists that created Dren not be able to explain what animal D.N.A. they used to arrive at their all-purpose, wonder creature? They must have just thrown in a little of this and a little of that (making sure note to include anything dangerous, of course). The thing was able to continue developing outside the womb after being prematurely removed, could breath under water, could jump extremely high, had a venemous stinger that regenerated itself, was intelligent, could sprout wings out of nowhere and was attractive enough to seduce Adrian Brody. That's right, I said seduce Adrian Brody. That, right there, is enough to prove my point. Ridiculous. Half the theater was chuckling and the other half groaning. I'm all for kinky sex but that was part beastiality and part incest, especially since Brody's character raised her like his daughter. He must have attended the Woody Allen school of parenting. And, then, in the end, the creature, without explanation, changes sex, develops an Oedipal Complex, kills it's "father" and rapes it's "mother." I can go on pointing out the films flaws but I'll just end by saying save your money!!! I'd like to see the guys at Mystery Science Theater get their hands on this one. The work will do itself.

Jun 7 - 08:38 PM


m f

Tyburn G, please do not review movies. Not only was this movie not convoluted, it was successful at conveying the message the writer intended to get across. Not only was the concept eerily possible, the characters actions were very unexpected.

Though I'd certainly agree the last 20-30 minutes were questionable, as far as quality, I would not define them as convoluted - more as rushed. Yes the people in the theater were laughing, yes the order of events was unexpected (aside from the end) , and yes I would gladly see it again.

As for the sex scene: I'm fairly certain that constitutes a spoiler!! Please refrain from using them in reviews as it does agitate certain people. The entire movie basically conveyed the message that human beings are flawed. They needed a reason to justify such a drastic personality switch among the characters, otherwise what reason would they have had for turning violent.

Don't forget the message about her past. They never dove into that!! They needed a way to explain traits without flashbacks.

To tie up my comment, All in all I would say this movie was a solid B. It succeeded in what it intended to, and was done on a budget that it nothing more than admirable. Though the plot was a bit far fetched, I think we can all agree it had no intention of creating a realistic atmosphere. As my friends in Chemistry fields have told me, such research is not as simple as movies make you think. The idea of accomplishing something like this is unlikely to say the least. To create a physical, sentient, embodiment of all the dormant Human genes, By Accident, is a ridiculous concept. In reality, it is far more likely that nothing would have happened, instead of the formation of some creature that is beyond explanation.

I won't say more to avoid saying anything that would be considered a spoiler. I recommend this film. If you wish to take my advice, Fine. If not so be it.

Jun 8 - 02:29 PM

Joseph M.

Joseph Meador

On your bioengineering comment, to quote a friend: "That's like a tornado moving through a junkyard and leaving behind a Boeing 747."

Jul 3 - 02:10 PM


Edward Stymest

Tyburn you're the cancer that prevents the world today from enjoying good movies

Feb 4 - 09:11 AM

Iggy P.

Iggy Pop

Haha I need all these reviewers to explain to me how they can like this movie. It was very very awful. then it just went stupid while girls turned into guys and killed everything. It was just awful. Same 3 characters the whole movie, mutant rape. Just ridiculous.

Jun 8 - 07:17 PM


Jay Naylor

Iggy, there are creatures on our own planet that change sex. All be it, not as drastically, but it still happens.

Tyburn, it appears you missed the mark. Not only on the *Spoiler information* as Brody's character was actually never in any sort of contention to look after Dren. It was that disdain for the creation of Dren, that indeed drove him to his actions. The fact that Dren was indeed a special connection to Polly's character. It had nothing to do with a family connection. It was animal instinct if you will. As well for the animals, it was quite a few, I believe, toad, stingray, kangaroo, a plant species and so on. If you were to pay attention to their presentation, all the animals are present on a chart at the top of the presentation.

I do believe that everyone is in consensus that this movie, is not the best, but it is not the worst. It just takes some imagination and perhaps with a bit more time, people would be accepting of some of the situations.

Jun 11 - 08:45 AM

Bailey Eubanks

Bailey Eubanks

haha agree with these guys.
Splice... what a joke

Jun 11 - 01:20 AM
