critics consensus

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

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Movie Info

An English U.N. negotiator (David Thewlis) becomes stranded in the tropics with a mad scientist (Marlon Brando) who makes half-human beasts.

Rating:

PG-13
Genre:

sci fi
Original Language:

English
Director:

John Frankenheimer
Producer:

Edward R. Pressman
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA):

$27.7M
Runtime:

1h 35m
Production Co:

New Line Cinema
Sound Mix:

Stereo, Surround

Cast & Crew

Marlon Brando
Dr. Moreau

Val Kilmer
Montgomery

David Thewlis
Edward Douglas

Fairuza Balk
Aissa

Ron Perlman
Sayor of the Law

Marco Hofschneider
M'Ling

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Critic Reviews for The Island of Dr. Moreau

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (26)

Brando's performance is enormous fun, but it's not just a joke. He's hilarious and gently mesmerizing at once, and director John Frankenheimer savvily adjusts the tone of his movie to fit Brando's daft brilliance.

February 27, 2018 | Full Review…

David Ansen
Newsweek
Roughly akin to watching a slow-motion train wreck in which the flames spread into the brush and become an out-of-control wildfire. What the hell happened?

August 16, 2016 | Full Review…

Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
Quote not available.

June 18, 2002 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…

Peter Stack
San Francisco Chronicle
The movie keeps switching focus without ever getting its bearings, and when Brando exits earlier than expected, there's little but mayhem to fall back on.

January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4

Mike Clark
USA Today
Quote not available.

January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Steve Davis
Austin Chronicle
Quote not available.

January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Thanks to special creature and makeup effects by Stan Winston, the various deformed fiends take center stage, showcasing diverting designs and a decent production value.

September 14, 2020 | Rating: 4/10 | Full Review…

Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
It's not to say there's not a lot wrong with the film, but rather to suggest that the chief criticisms of it being strange and "a mess" aren't among them.

August 19, 2012 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
Quote not available.

March 11, 2008 | Rating: 1/5

Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Quote not available.

September 23, 2005 | Rating: 0/5

Michael Szymanski
International Press Academy
Quote not available.

August 1, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Quote not available.

May 6, 2005 | Rating: 1/5

Caffeinated Clint
Film Threat

View All Critic Reviews (34)

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