The Fly
Got you where I want you
Not all remakes are created solely to
make money off a well-known movie. Some are created in order to
elevate an original to new heights through better special effects,
modern storytelling, and better acting. John Carpenter's The Thing is
a prime example. Most people are unaware that The Thing is a remake,
one of the highest compliments you can give to a remake. David
Cronenberg's remake of The Fly, while sharing the basic premise of
the original 1958 film of the same name, is really it's own movie.
Beyond the basic premise of a scientist accidentally merging with a
housefly during a teleportation experiment, this version of The Fly
goes way beyond the original with effects and horror. The real
question is if it is equal or better than the original. (Incidentally, The Fly's "Got You Where I Want You" has been in my head all day)
The Fly is a 1986 horror sci-fi remake
co-written and directed by David Cronenberg (Videodrome, Scanners).
The movie stars Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Independence Day) as
brilliant, but eccentric scientist Seth Brundle. Seth invites
Veronica “Ronnie” Quaife (Geena Davis, A League Of Their Own, The
Long Kiss Good Night), a journalist for Particle magazine to his
warehouse lab/apartment to see his new invention. Seth touts it as an
invention that will change the world as they know it. His new
invention is a set of “Telepods” which allow instantaneous
teleportation of inanimate objects. Seth demonstrates his invention
by teleporting one of Ronnie's stockings. When she starts recording
Seth, he becomes nervous and agitated because he is not ready to
unveil his invention to the world. The telepods are not complete as
they are unable to transport living matter. When Ronnie takes the
story to her editor and ex-boyfriend, Stathis Borans (John Getz,
Blood Simple, Zodiac) rejects the idea as a magic trick. Ronnie soon
begins a romantic relationship with Seth, much to the displeasure of
Stathis. One night, Seth has a breakthrough, transporting a piece of
steak through the telepods. Following his breakthrough, Seth becomes
worried that Ronnie is secretly seeing Stathis again. Drunk and
jealous, Seth sends himself through the transport. Unknown to him, a
housefly is inside the telepods when he transports himself.
Everything appears normal at first, but Seth begins to exhibit what
appears to be beneficial enhancements: strength, durability, and
energy. He believes that the telepod has given him a new rebirth,
stripping away his flaws and faults. He soon becomes angry and
violent, though, breaking a man's arm at a bar and cheating on
Ronnie. Seth allows begins to grow coarse hair and his face begins to
change, finally realizing that something is wrong when his
fingernails begin to fall off. Checking his computer, Seth learns
that he has in fact been genetically combined with a housefly. His
body continues to change and mutate, causing body parts to fall off
and forcing Seth to vomit on his food in order to break it down for
his body to consume. Is there any way for Ronnie to help save Seth
before he completely turns into a monster and what will she do now
that she has learned that she is pregnant with his baby?
Oh, God! It's hideous!
The original 1958 version of The Fly is
regarded as a science-fiction classic. People who have never seen the
movie still know the classic “Help me! Help me!” line squeaked
out by the main character about to be devoured by a spider. It's a
pretty chilling scene over 50 years later. The 1986 version of The
Fly has the distinctive Cronenberg flair of commonly known as “body
horror”. Seth's deformed transformation is the main attraction of
the film as Jeff Goldblum becomes a disgusting mass of flesh and
insect. Much like in Cronenberg's other film “Videodrome,” the
special effects used in the movie to transform the main character are
fantastic. Seth's various mutations are hard to look at, yet we
cannot turn away.. It helps that Jeff Goldblum is already bug-eyed
and his 80's-style mullet helps convey his awkwardness. The makeup,
done by Chris Walas, Inc. received an Academy Award for their word
and deservedly so. The transformation goes through various stages,
first subtle and then horrific, but each stage is believable.
The story is surprising simple as I was
expecting something more complex like some of Cronenberg's other
films. There is more suspense than action, but the movie is still
interesting and compelling. The scares are still prevalent
throughout, with more psychological fear than quick jolts and
startles. Seth's transformation begins rather quickly as most of the
movie is about his mutation. The entire transformation can be seen as
an allegory for cancer or any disease for that matter. We are all
afraid of uncontrollable change and death which makes the film all
the more unsettling. The love story is classic romantic tragedy as
both characters love each other until the inevitable end. The dream
sequence where Ronnie gives birth to a giant larva is quite
terrifying and could give nightmares to expecting mothers. Jeff
Goldblum is perfect for the role of Seth Brundle as his quite
awkwardness fits the character like a glove. Geena Davis is good as
both the love-interest and as the audience's avatar. We, the
audience, are sharing the same feelings as Ronnie, wanting to help
Seth, but also worried about the baby growing inside her.
Who ordered the large Meatlover's with extra Goldblum pizza?
The Fly is able to take the original
movie's idea and make it into something greater. The movie has a good
mixture of both science-fiction and horror which play off each other
well. The movie's dark tone and atmosphere makes the hideously
wonderful transformations even scarier. The special effects and
makeup are superb and the solid acting of Jeff Goldblum and Geena
Davis help make for a solid movie. David Cronenberg leaves his unique
mark on the film with his usual brand of horror. The story is good,
though I was expecting greatness. Maybe that's because I've seen The
Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror VIII: Fly vs. Fly” episode so many
times. Regardless, The Fly is still a fun and unsettling watch that
does the original justice while still being it's own movie.
8.5/10
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