I loved this movie!

>Bad script

>No emotional core to the plot -- hey we cared about Seth and Veronica!

>Over-the-top gore that had no context within the story -- at least J.G.'s ear falling off had a purpose!!

>Bad, hammy acting -- "You're getting worse!" No, I am getting BETTER."

>Eric Stoltz doesn't look like he could be the son of Goldblum and Davis, c'mon! They should have got someone taller, at least. Vincent D'Onofrio was the first choice for Walas, but he blew his screen test!


"Because I'm chaos, it is my destiny to destroy" -- Jeff Goldblum as "Mr. Frost."

Yeah, I agree with you. I am surprised by all the negativity towards this film. It certainly isn't bad trash. It's a guilty pleasure, but it's actually surprisingly poignant and intelligent. It was absorbing and I was never bored.

I enjoyed the beginning two-thirds of the film. However, the inevitable climatic showdown was sort of a letdown. The film had not been heavily reliant on cheap action before that point. It was intelligent, sensible, cerebral, and held my attention. It took its time in developing the characters and the details of the plot. It had an interesting scientific premise with thriller undertones. There was an undercurrent of pathos and poignancy in the life and experiences of Martin, not unlike the Elephant Man, Darkman or King Kong. The two lead characters were charismatic, three-dimensional, and intelligent. Their relationship was a strong one.

Thus it was not necessary to plug in the formulaic confrontation at the end (as well done as it was), resorting to predictable and typical fights, gunfire, slimy special effects and gore. Also, there were the countless henchmen that wander off and picked off one by one. This was a cynical and standard ending. Not only that, it was inconsistent in that after Martin’s transformation into the fly, he went on the cold-blooded killing rampage, even though some Bartok’s workers and scientists were innocent or simply following orders. The Martin from the beginning of the film had never been so heartless (e.g. dissolving a guard’s face with acidic discharge), even if Bartok and his men had wronged him. It was evident that Martin’s conscience, memory, and intelligence were intact (he petted a guard dog that was hunting him; he still knew his way around the facility; he still knew how to operate the teleportation pods) after emerging from his cocoon. There was no reason for him to totally disregard the lives of Bartok and his men. The finale was just plugged in to be sensationalistic, bloody, exploitative, and a showcase for the special effects. A bit is okay, but much was unnecessary, nauseating, and over the top (e.g. the elevator crushing the guard’s head). It felt out of place from the previous parts of the film. Given the interesting and intelligent premise, there should have been a more cerebral and imaginative resolution – sort of a duel of wits - since Martin was so intelligent.



"...sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.” ~ Cool Hand Luke

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