The Fly
Director: David Cronenberg
Year Released: 1986
Rating: 2.5
Remake of the classic film, with Jeff Goldblum, tongue-in-cheek, playing a mad scientist who has figured out how to transport matter from one little cocoon-shaped device to another. You can see Cronenberg the philosopher at work here, and how he's using the pods as a swipe at Star Trek logic and the story itself as a statement on disease, scientific progression and a fear of medical and gynecological advancements (Geena Davis' dream reminds me of The Brood). I'd be lying if I said I "liked" it - it leaves me feeling somewhat cold mood-wise, it has awkward pacing and it's a little too sly, really going for intentional camp - but these are all Cronenberg's trademarks, and I can't, in good conscience, criticize something intentional. The Fly is nothing fantastic, though valid topic-wise with regards to today's genetics-obsessed research.
