Customer Reviews

The Island of Dr. Moreau (Unrated Director's Cut)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

I can't stress enough how important it is for anyone considering seeing this movie to ignore the heaps of negative reviews here. Most justify their opinions by calling this film strange, grotesque, or both. Both are fitting, but there's alot more to this film than that, and those two things in themselves are not necessarily reason to dislike a film. Quite the contrary, when Hollywood is so overrun with unchallenging, unoriginal fodder.

I could praise the movie on any number of levels. Every actor here carries his or her eccentric role with a perfectly tasteful care not to go over the top or become too cartoonish. The dialogue is free of fluff and carries quite an element of eloquence, which is fitting when considering the overall dramatic intent. On a more basic level, the creature effects used on the half human, half animal hybrid creations inhabiting Moreau's Island are handled by none other than Stan Winston and done very well, and the soundtrack is appropriately eerie, with tribal drumming used in parts to enhance the mood. And, of course, the themes explored here, despite their familiarity (the power of instnct, and the danger of playing God), are driven home with potent efficiency, probably thanks to the extreme and sometimes bizzare nature in which they're handled.

The fact that this movie carries such a human element with it is what I really like about it. It's easy to feel for the man-beasts, tragic abominations intelligent enough to know they're nothing but the waste products of a madman's search for genetic perfection. The protagonist, as well, benefits from the fact that he is very much an introvert and probably speaks less than Val Kilmer, who is less vital to the plot. His quiet observation helps add to the realism and mold a film which could have easily been a silly mess into a moving, artfully crafted piece of work.

If you choose to judge this movie as harshly as most have, then go ahead, but at least see it first with an open mind. I for one feel a movie this bold deserves every bit of respect.

Ever wonder where Col. Kurtz would've ended up if he had survived the end of "Apocalypse Now"? Well, now we know: He exiled himself to a deserted island to create humanimals -- the horror, the horror.

In light of all the bad press one would really think this is a lousy movie. And I can see WHY some people don't like it, the main portion of the flick is really INSANE. However, if you're a sucker for lost-on-an-island type yarns and appreciate the heavy mood & insanity of "Apocalypse Now," you'll probably like it. I'm not saying it's anywhere near as great as "Apocalypse Now" but Marlon Brando and the jungle insanity make the comparison inevitable.

WHAT WORKS: The title sequence is great, perhaps one of the best in all of cinema (another Amazon reviewer noted this, so I'm not alone); the soundtrack is phenomenal ('nuff said); the plot is intriguing; the humanimal make-up is fine ('Hyena' looks especially horrific); the film possesses an undeniable creative pizzazz (i.e. it's moody, atmospheric and insane); and Marlon Brando's 35 minute stint in the film is as captivating as always (you can probably tell I'm a huge Brando fan -- in particular, "One-Eyed Jacks," "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962), "The Young Lions," "Superman" and "Apocalypse Now" [not "Redux"]).

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: The third act of the film is almost total insanity, except for the final ten minutes or so; as a result the story will lose the interest of those who have no appreciation for such artistic flair.

CLOSING THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed seeing Brando in his old age in this flick; it proves he had his magnetic charm until the end. If you enjoyed Brando as 'Kurtz' in "Apocalypse Now" you'll appeciate him in "Island;" in fact, as already noted, Dr. Moreau is a variation of Kurtz in his old age (i.e. nutjob in the jungle).

If you're predisposed for such a flick, "Dr. Moreau" is weird, but certainly worthwhile.

Here are 4 reasons why this is the best film ever: 1. It has more depth and intrigue than Citizen Kane 2. It has more excitement than Star Wars 3. It has better dialogue and humor than Pulp Fiction 4. It has Brando's monkey sidekick. I have to go now, the men in white uniforms are coming for me. They want me to take my medicine. Help! Help!

When shipwrecked explorer David Thewlis lands on an island and welcomed by Val Kilmer he probably didn't expect anything like what was waiting for him in this unpredictable horro action. This movie is chock-a-block full of action, plot, scientific experiments and wierd half man half animal like creatures. At first Thewlis (our hero) plays the role in exploring the island and trying to blend in to the rest of the freaky community, but he is very suprised by the treatment of Moreau (brando) to the animals, as well as the rules, the laws and the oneness of man and animal. But when certain members rebel against their leader all hell breaks loose. The hyenas take over, Thewlis tries his best to escape, a wise old man tries to calm every one down, a funny little 1ft man ( bred with a worm) wanders around aimlessly and Kilmer goes beyond the boundaries of crazy. Alot goes on in this great film, it really is a must see, so if I were you go out and hire it right now.

If you are looking for a litte twisted entertainment TIODM delivers. I made my girlfriend watch it and she had nightmares. As for me, it was just what I was looking for and Brando delivivers a great performance as a scientist gone mad.

I wonder how a film can arouse so much negative reaction. Why are most people really angry about it not just ignoring it? From reading all the reviews I could find, I think the explanation is: It is too different from the mainstream formula. People think they get Stallone/Schwarzenegger/Willis mindless action when they get Kubrick-like intelligence.
If the film DIDN'T have big names like Frankenheimer, Brando and Kilmer, people would not have a standard Hollywood cliche to expect. It confuses them.
I came across a few quotes that sums up the anger against the film: "it's weird and too many people die which leaves you depressed" and "it kills the sympathy the audience should feel for such tormented and abused beings".
I have the opposite opinion. It's EXACTLY what makes this film unique. I don't need another Hollywood soap but most people are comfortable with the cliches they have seen in 99% other Hollywood films. They MUST have the superchic, the "moral dilemma", the black judge and the happy end. They can't cope with a story that unfolds in a more "documentary", bizarre way. For me the whole excitement comes from the sense of realism. The "heroes" dies when logic requires it. As a matter of fact! You watch things happen because it's inevitable from a biological sense NOT because it has to conform with a Hollywood formula. The main characters are not important, the "has-it-all great story" is not important, the essence is to show how strong a force biological mechanisms shaped through millions of years are. DISREGARDING the conformity rules of filmmaking. That's why Island of Dr. Moreau is a masterpiece in my mind. It's up there with Kubrick.

An ocean plane wrecked diplomat (David Thewlis) is rescued and brought to an island inhabited by a Nobel winning now reclusive scientist (Marlon Brando) and his children; the animals he has been genetically manipulating with human DNA in an attempt to create his vision of a pure species.

When this film opened it was panned by the critics. I was never sure why. It opens strong, both visually and musically. The locale is beautifully claustrophobic, appropriate for a secluded tropical island. Stan Winston's creature make up is excellent. The body language of the "humanimals" is very interesting. The underlying commentaries on the savagery of society and the morality of biological scientific experimentation are intact. Performances are excellent (Brando makes a daring, and critics said poor, choice in his interpretation of Moreau in that he plays him like an effete, physically feeble, unbelievably polite British University English Professor, more eccentrically insane instead of the usual madly insane that most crazy scientist characters are portrayed as). This is a well done film.

This movie deserves more credit than people and critics give it. Personally, this film has what it takes to become a cult classic. The actors are great, epecially Marlon Brando.

The designs by the late great special effects man Stan Winston are flawless. The creatures of the island are both realistic and creepy. If you're gothic, you'll love this movie, and if not you should see it at least once.

Personally, I suggest that you buy this great cult classic. It's affordable and you'll be entertained over and over again. So...what are you waiting for?! Buy now and enjoy!

the editorial review is an excellent one i don't believe i can top . it's quite funny (the film) in fits and starts as well . if you consumed RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT as a child or read a copy of THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS , there's an additional fun bit for you here as well . vivisected animal/human hybrids to beat the band . MS. BALK is quite lovely too . i like DAVID in the lead in this one . i like that it's set on a tropical island . i own the 70s version as well . like em both . like the source material . not for everyone , but then , what is ? see MORIA , THE SCIENCE FICTION , HORROR AND FANTASY site for a good critical write up .

I loved this movie, and who is that crazy little guy who accompanies Brando wherever he goes? He looks just like Karen's dog, Zoonie. Don't miss this movie for this reason alone.