The Fly (1958) vs.
The Fly (1986)
Original
The premise in both of these movies is the same. A scientist
who has invented a teleportation device accidentally merges himself with a fly.
He soon starts to turn into a fly himself.
Both films deal with this and they both deal with the
hardships these characters relationships go through due to the horrible
accident.
What worked so well with the original was its ability to
bring science fiction into a more believable area. It makes sure that the
script is strong, especially when it starts to become ridiculous. It really plays
between black comedy and drama, which works for the most part.
For films that came out of the ‘50s horror this is probably
one of the top ones. Even with the hilarious scene where they see a tiny
entrapped fly with one of the main characters head and arm, screaming
"Help me! Help me!" in a tiny voice, as a spider approaches. Yeah, it
gets weird and campy like that.
Remake
David Cronenberg's remake of the 1958 classic becomes a
moving portrait of a man and his lover attempting to come to terms with his physical
disintegration. "The Fly" stars Jeff Goldblum as a spaced-out
scientist who invents a genetic teleportation machine and accidentally
transforms himself into a fly. In the horrifyingly graphic detail that is his
trademark, Cronenberg depicts the scientist's painful mutation from human into
insect. What gives the film its tragic dimension is the emotional depth of the
relationship between the scientist and his journalist girlfriend (Geena Davis)
as she witnesses his slow, painful metamorphosis.
The Fly gives us some great and creepy special effects but
also strong characters that we grow to like and care about. So, when things
start to go south we actually feel for what these characters are going through
and that’s something all movie should have. Sadly they don’t.
So, the first half of the movie with Goldblum and Davis is
heartwarming and then things happen and the second half is heartbreaking, which
is done beautifully within the realm of gothic horror.
So, which is better?
I’m going to have to go with the remake. With Cronenberg’s
version I felt more connected with the characters, which is what became key in
making this a great movie.
Remake Wins
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