La isla del Dr. Moreau

Produced in the second half of 1995 in tropical Queensland this science-fiction film has the ambition of an 'adventure' film and deals with serious contemporary issues such as fears of genetic engineering/mutation, aggressive tendencies in the human and animal world and the context of nature. The visual props/relationships are amazing:- skulls of exotic animals, interesting framed high-quality acrylic/oil paintings and murals, classical busts, the light wooden hues flanking the walls in Moreau's house, sophisticated lighting- super-bright electric Cambridge-blue and pure neon white colours and shimmering chrome props and tubes and scientific hardware, the deployment of 17th/18th-Century baroque oratorios and Balinese music in the background. In appearance Brando is tubby - he sports a golden/green silk kimono, bandanas, granny glasses, steel wristwatch and cropped silver hair and re-deploys the preposterous upper-crust English accent of his Fletcher Christian (Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)) and Sir William Walker (Burn! (1968-1970)) - which were adventurous flairful performances. Young Lancastrian actor David Thewlis (Naked (1993)) shows Northern English common sense. The special effects - explosions, makeup, costumes etc are very impressive. The opening credits are sensational - a montage of embryos, cells, aggressive spermatozoa, flashing vulpine eyes, moody pinkish/brown tropical skies, screeching animal cries etc while William Fraker's digital video camerwork is pin-sharp.