The Island Of Dr. Moreau (1996)

Starring - Marlon Brando; Val Kilmer; David Thewlis; Fairuza Balk & Daniel Rigney Director - John Frankenheimer MPAA - Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, horror and gore involving mutant creatures. The Island Of Dr. Moreau has gotten a lot of bad press, most of it undeserved. It centers on a man named Douglas (David Thewlis), a survivor of a ship lost at sea, he is rescued by a fishing boat. This particular boat is carrying another passenger, a guy by the name of Montgomery (Val Kilmer), who offers to help Douglas. The fishing vessel is heading to the remote island where Montgomery works as a scientist, and he offers to let Douglas stay there until help arrives for him. It turns out the island is a research station run by the once famous Dr. Moreau (Marlon Brando), who had dropped out of site years ago. It seems that Moreau has been doing genetic experiments, namely blending human DNA with that of animals, in order to create a more perfect being. Well, he hasn't been real successful up to this point, and the results of his work roam the island. These half human half whatever (depending on the individual) are wild and kept in line only by their fear of Moreau's henchmen. To make a long story short, Moreau loses control over these creatures, and the results are not pleasant. Marlon Brando, after you get over the shock of is enormous size, shows just why he is one of the world's greatest actors. His part is not huge, but when he is on camera he can hold your attention. (I was left thinking what a shame it is that this talent has been left largely wasted these last few years, partly due to his living as a recluse, and of course partly due to the fact that he appears to never leave the buffet table.) Val Kilmer's character, Montgomery, had absolutely no redeeming qualities. You pretty much root for this guy to get knocked off from the word go. David Thewlis puts on a fairly good performance as the man who is basically in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fairuza Balk, one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood, does a great job as Moreau's tormented daughter. Although some of the movie's best performances come from the many actors who are buried under piles of makeup as the creatures; which is a real credit to both actors and writers as they don't get a great deal of meaningful screen time. The creature makeup and effects are amazing - this was not a low budget production. As genetic experimentation becomes more and more prevalent in the scientific community, the creatures that populate this island don't seem all that far fetched. Of course the interesting thing is that The Island Of Dr. Moreau was actually written a century ago by H.G. Wells. This is a good film, it's not for everyone, and a bit gory in places, but it makes a great alternative to a traditional horror film. 7/10 Reviewed January 03, 1998 by Joe Chamberlain