Terrific Goldblum and effects, bad script

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 2000)

Creepy film from David Cronenberg, who has made a specialty of creepy films (Dead Ringers, Scanners, Existenz). Jeff Goldblum stars as Seth Brundle, a scientist who is mastering teleportation, but who accidentally crosses his genetic code with a housefly's, creating a terrifying hybrid. Geena Davis plays a reporter who is slowly falling for Goldblum, her subject.
This is Goldblum's best performance of his career. An actor who often seems laid-back, Goldblum here is anything but. His intensity shows as a man who undergoes a terrifying transformation into a disgusting creature. His anger and frustration cross with his scientific visions, and he thus creates a very sympathetic character. Additionally, the makeup artists created truly amazing effects and deserve every ounce of the Oscar that they won.
That being said, it is unfortunate that the script is obvious and by-the-numbers. You can see the resolution coming a mile away. It feels like most of the energy in this film went into the effects and technology, instead of the script.
Vote: 6