"This is the most outrageous spectacle I have ever witnessed."      

THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (PG-13) 

Reviewed August 29, 1996 - Check out the Dr. Moreau web site.

The Island of Dr. Moreau, starring Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, and David Thewlis, is a spectacle.  The story of a brilliant scientist determined to perfect the human species through genetic recombination with animal genes is filled with incredible costume and makeup work, great scenery, and a strangely eerie mood that pervades from start to finish.  It's a very unusual film, both in look and feel.

Unfortunately, those are probably the kindest words I can say about this very unbalanced and incredibly unengaging movie.  David Thewlis stars as Edward, an Englishman trapped on an island with Dr. Moreau (Brando) and his drug-crazed assistant Montgomery (Kilmer).  During his stay, Edward discovers Dr. Moreau's genetic experiments, as well as their monstrous results-- man/animals Moreau lovingly refers to as "his children."  The movie then starts to touch on some philosophical issues about man's nature, inner beauty vs. outer beauty, etc.  Actually, I found this discussion somewhat interesting...but hey, the plot had to move on, the animals revolted, lots of creatures die, and then it's THE END.  Cool story, huh?

To his credit, Brando does a commendable job as Moreau, although the role is reminiscent of his Apocalypse Now performance.  Val Kilmer is passable, but generally flat, and David Thewlis was (I'm afraid to say) flatter than flat.  Overall, Dr. Moreau is a visually interesting film, but in terms of plot and character development, the movie is quite disappointing.

IMPRESSIONS

When you don't have anything funny to say: just get to the point.  Wait for this to come out on video.

Responses from cyberspace -- thanks for the input, folks!

David Rogers gives this movie  stars: "After Batman Forever, I expected more from Val!" (4/27/00)

sjonesbfpm@compuzone.net gives this movie  stars: "I enjoyed this film thouroughly because it was unlike any other film I have ever seen. It's not for everyone however. Brando does well as the mad scientist in a rather campy performance. Kilmer also comes across well as his pothead assistant. My only real complaint is Thewlis' performance. He sleepwalks through his role. Other than that, I was entertained and the special effects are great." (6/23/99)

j_michaelis@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Number one: The main actor was a nerd Number two: Very predictable Number three: Uninteresting, even though it should be. Number four: I didn't like the fact that the main actor liked a mutant but that's just my sexual prefrence I guess. Number five: The ending was corny." (4/30/98)

Diane gives this movie  star: "It was very disapointing to watch Val Kilmer and Marlon Brando act so poorly. I had anticipated seeing this movie for quite some time to waste two hours. Fairuza Balk was the only highlight." (4/30/98)

martinique@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "because it was a good movie, i thought. I enjoyed watching all the actors, but the plot went too fast.......it started slow, and then speeded up towards the end of the movies. And none of the characters were really understandable, but other than that, it was a good movie to see" (11/20/97)

Adam gives this movie a  rating.  "I thought this film was profoundly...wierd.  It was fun to finally go to a movie and say 'Oh my gosh this is really freaky.'  If you are uptight and have no imagination though, you will probably not like it."