Splice

Wow. This is one messed up movie. But in a good way. Judging by the underwhelming trailers this looked like an average Alien-style horror flick. But it's something else entirely. It's incredibly smart and fearless. Although Splice could be classified as a sci-fi movie, it doesn't feature distant technology like flying cars or spaceships. The science behind the story is very real and contemporary. Perhaps that's one reason I found the film so unsettling. What you have here is a modern take on Frankenstein with all the familiar science vs. ethics themes. But what happens when you throw complex emotions into the equation? Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody play a couple who have attained rock star status in the field of genetics. Specifically, they've become famous for splicing genetic material from multiple organisms to create new lifeforms. But things get a bit out of control in their next experiment when they recklessly create a human-animal hybrid. This is where the film could have gone straight into paint-by-numbers territory. Instead, it takes several unexpected turns as the scientists become emotionally invested in their creation. It's very challenging material, and at times, difficult to watch with more than a handful of cringe-inducing moments. But it's a film with heart and a brain which is a lot more than you're likely to find in the cineplexes this summer.