Realistically, I dont really have any faults with this film. Or rather, the faults I have with this film are somewhat neglegable all things cosidered. The 1986 Remake of ‘The Fly’ is a textbook example of the concept of taking an older concept that worked in one style or genre, and translating that idea through the mind of a unique individual into something that would be considered simultaineously modernising and genuinely terrifying.

The original take on ‘The Fly’ was a horror thriller with a dash of sci fi and a tongue planted firmly in its cheek, with age, the original has more campy horror, border comedy value than it does as a true sci-fi horror film.

David Cronenbergs remake here, takes the bare bones of ‘The Fly’ story and runs them through the mind and lens of a man who, up to this point had given us ‘Shivers’, ‘Videodrome’, ‘Scanners’, ‘The Brood’ amongst many, many others…a key motif of Cronenbergs directional aesthetics revolves around body horror, the corruption or evolution of ‘The Flesh’ and the reluctant transformation of a being into something truely incomprehensible…In short, David Cronenberg was probably the single greatest choice to direct this film, and its frankly amazing the planets aligned in the way they did.

And like I say, I dont really have any notes honestly, the scripts rock solid with great naturalistic diaglogue, unusual twists and turns, a much MUCH darker, gorier, sinister and unsettling tone that makes the original feel like a saturday morning kids cartoon. The pacings razor, the plotting is genuinely impactful and really tugs on the audiences emotions. the act structuring is rock solid.

Cronenberg translates the writings of George Langelaan into an alagory for toxic relationships, and the growing Aids epidemic, creating one of the more unsettling pictures i’ve sat through. In fact, the only reason this isnt a 4 and a half stars from me, is purely because the film deals with themes that are so unsettling to me, that while I genuinely appreciate a challenge to my constitution, this isnt a film I feel like I could watch regularly without becoming seriously depressed.

The direction is incredible, especially for the time, with amazing set work, fantastic camera and lighting choices. rock solid attention to detail on every facet of the studio production. barring a couple of practical effects pieces that are only now 40 years on beginning to creak a little, this is an incredible piece of work, and while I dont think i’d personally consider it Cronenbergs best, it would almost certainly be Top 5 for me.

The cine is brilliant, with sharp cuts, experimentation out the wazoo, solid attention to detail on sequence building and an edit that is just…breathtaking, with the cuts being held JUST long enough to communicate with the audience more than an essay could on the mindset of an ever spiralling Brundle.

and the performances? get outta here, Geena Davies? Jeff Goldblum?! John Getz?!? GET. OUTTA. HERE. incredible.

add in a distinct and suspensful score that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat, and all in? I was beyond impressed. I last saw this movie probably 15-20 years ago, on a small portable TV, on terrestrial TV, intercut with commercials every 15 minutes. Seeing the scream factory bluray this afternoon melted my brain like a double scoop left out in the sun.

Incredible craftsmanship, I think if your studying film, a double feature of this and the original ‘Fly’ is a must. If your a horror fan, I dont need to tell you to check this one out.

source https://letterboxd.com/tytdreviews/film/the-fly-1986/