RETRO REVIEW: THE FLY

"I'm an insect who dreamt he was a man and loved it. But now the dream is over... and the insect is awake."

The Fly is the story of oddball amateur scientist Seth Brundle and the horrors he must struggle through when something goes terribly wrong with his latest invention: The Telepods. Soon enough Seth realizes that due to an unforseeable mistake while he was attempting to teleport himself,  he is now turning into a half man/half fly hybrid that he dubs "Brundlefly". The slow transformation brings about an internal struggle as he tries to hold onto the last remaining bits of his humanity long enough to find a cure.

The Fly stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, Geena Davis as Veronica Quaife, and John Getz as Stathis Borans. Jeff Goldblum is suitable wacky (When isn't he wacky is the real question) as Seth Brundle and for once gets to strut his real acting chops as he perfectly embodies the madness of Brundlefly while also succeeding in making the audience still feel for him despite some rather disturbing choices the character makes throughout the film. Geena Davis is great as Seth's new girlfriend, Veronica, who is witness to Seth's brutal transformation into Brundlefly and struggles with her emotions of disgust, fear, and love as she attempts to find him help before its too late. John Getz is superb as well as the crazed ex-boyfriend and now boss of Veronica, Stathis Borans. This character also goes through a more subtle character based emotional transformation by the end of the film.

The Fly seems to enjoy switching things up on the viewer and playing with their expectations. The film starts out as a wacky love triangle based around a scientific breakthrough and slowly morphs into a terrifying tragedy about jealousy, greed, and human quirks that can get in the way of achieving our full potential. Our main antagonist and protagonist as they are introduced in the beginning of the film have switched roles by the grand finale. The film is also surprisingly reminiscent of the classic Universal Monster films, though it was produced by 20th Century Fox.

More about that scientific breakthough that causes our lead so much emotional and physical pain. They're called the Telepods and represent the potential for teleportation. Two dark black and steampunk looking pods that spark, whizz, and flash. They are the focal point for the final scene in the film (and are the centerpiece for most of the film as well) and are a character unto themselves.

A word of warning before you run out to rent/buy this little masterpiece: The Fly is extremely disturbing in just about every imaginable way. Pieces of Seth fall off, his face begins to boil and his body contorts as it prepares for the final transformation (I will say the body suit Jeff Golblum wears for most of the third act looks pretty darned cool, though it is still clearly a body suit. Luckily Brundlefly's final form is astounding, impressive, and realistic). Despite the urge to turn this one off, you will be rewarded if you make it thru till the end, seeing as the last 15 minutes of the film are one of the best endings ever seen in horror film history and just about outshines everything that preceeded it.

The Fly, as directed and partly scripted by David Cronenberg, with fantastic creature and effects creation by Wasal Inc., is one of the few pure horror classics that will continue to stand the test of time for all who are brave enough to step into the pod.

"Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid."

5/5 Better than Sex