The Island of Dr. Moreau

1996

The Island of Dr. Moreau

Critics Consensus

Timid and unfocused in its storytelling, The Island Of Dr. Moreau is more lackluster misfire than morbid curiosity.

24%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 33

20%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 43,226
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Movie Info

This is the third movie to bring parts of early 20th-century writer H.G. Wells' book The Island of Dr. Moreau to the screen. Earlier versions (1933, 1977) adhered more closely to the story than this one does. Douglas (David Thewlis) is a U.N. peace negotiator who is stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean by an airplane crash. He is picked out of the water by Montgomery (Val Kilmer), Dr. Moreau's assistant, and taken to a tropical island. He is at first prevented from straying much beyond the doctor's house and is befriended by Dr. Moreau's daughter (Fairuza Balk). Gradually he discovers that Dr. Moreau (Marlon Brando) has been mixing human and animal genes to create chimeras intended to serve the human race as slaves. The chimeras are not content to serve, however, and the situation unravels from there. One of the film's many lowlights is Ron Perlman as Sayer of the Law in a send-up of Charleton Heston's Moses. Brando and Balk manage to give interesting performances, but for the most part the film is a tedious and unpleasant exercise overwhelmed by garish make-up and animal costuming.

Cast

Marlon Brando
as Dr. Moreau
Val Kilmer
as Montgomery
David Thewlis
as Douglas
Fairuza Balk
as Aissa
Ron Perlman
as Sayer Of The Law
Marco Hofschneider
as M'Ling
Temuera Morrison
as Azazello
William Hootkins
as Kiril
Daniel Rigney
as Hyena-Swine
Nelson de la Rosa
as Majai
Peter Elliott
as Assassimon
Mark Dacascos
as Lo-Mai
Miguel López
as Waggdi
Neil Young
as Boar Man
David Hudson
as Bison Man
Clare Grant
as Fox Lady
Kitty Silver
as Sow Lady No. 1
Fiona Mahl
as Sow Lady No. 2
Agoes Soedjarvo
as Captain
Ron Vreeken
as Soldier No. 1
Lou Horvath
as Soldier No. 2
David Rigney
as Hyena-Swine
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Critic Reviews for The Island of Dr. Moreau

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (25)

View All Critic Reviews (33)

Audience Reviews for The Island of Dr. Moreau

  • Oct 26, 2011
    I genuinely can't begin to describe how bizarre this movie is. I almost recommend it just for people to see how bad movies can get.
    Joe M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 19, 2009
    On a remote ISLAND in the South Pacific, the balance OF nature has been upset by the experiments of DR. MOREAU... with the key of science he's unlocked the gates of hell.
    Wahida K Super Reviewer
  • Apr 27, 2009
    If there's no Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer, this movie is going to be another B class movie.. quite depressing.
    Cita W Super Reviewer
  • Jul 24, 2008
    I usually only give a rating of half a star to movies that I couldn't go through with.. Well I watched this one to the end but it's sooo terrible that I can't bring myself to rate it any higher !!!
    Dina B Super Reviewer
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