The Fly (1986)

--Reviewed by Lindy Loo

Plotline: A mad scientist has figured out how to transport inanimate objects from one "pod" to another. He is determined to figure out how to do the same with animate objects, resulting in some very bizarre consequences.

Scariness factor: This movie is not so much jump-in-your-seat scary as it is disturbing and creepy. But it's definitely high on the disturbing and creepy continuum, no doubt.

Gross-Out Factor: You get to see Jeff Goldblum regurgitate on his food--tee hee. This movie might conceivably be gross to some more squeamish folks--there is monkey carnage and, as Goldblum starts to morph, there is a lot of body-parts falling off and nasty-ass melting skin. But I've seen much much gross, and it's at least well-done.

Complaints: The only thing that bothered me is the little burps of logic that happen in most sci-fi movies: at the beginning, he transports steak on a plate through his teletransporter devices, but they don't become steak-plates or anything. And yet later, teletransporting himself while a fly is accidentally in the pod with him, the two conjoin to become one. What's up with the lack of a steak-plate, buddy? Other than that, I have little to complain about--I was surprised and impressed by this movie and wish that I hadn't waited so long to see the damn thing (but what can I say--I can't stand Jeff Goldblum as a general rule).



High Points: The makeup and special fx in this movie rock my socks off. I was so impressed, especially for a movie from the 80's. Cronenberg and his makeup masters do a fantastic job morphing Goldblum into a fly. And speaking of Goldblum, he is delightfully low-key and enjoyable in this movie which was much appreciated seeing as *I HATE HIS GUTS*. The movie wasn't anything terribly original--mad scientist goes crazy with power and it ends up biting him in the ass--but this movie felt clever and intelligent and, coupled with the special fx, I was drawn into the story like I haven't been with a horror movie for a long while.

Overall: Well-worth it simply for the special fx (and so you can see Goldblum regurgitate on his food--have I mentioned that? Hee hee). Seriously though, I went in expecting a typical 80's horror flick and was really quite pleasantly surprised and impressed. A definite must-see for any horror movie fan.

Grade: A