Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Island of Dr. Moreau Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 20, 2024

The story behind the making of 1996’s “The Island of Dr. Moreau” is much more interesting than the film itself. It was once intended to be a spooky take on the H.G. Wells novel (already explored across all forms of media) from director Richard Stanley, but troubles swarmed the production, turning it from an atmospheric chiller into blunt-edged weirdness from helmer John Frankenheimer, who was hired to complete the project, not necessarily clean up the mess. The moviemaking disaster was recounted in the 2014 documentary, “Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Dr. Moreau” (a fascinating watch), providing necessary backstory when viewing the Frankenheimer version of the picture. While it begins with some dramatic purpose, it doesn’t take long for “The Island of Dr. Moreau” to veer into silliness and general storytelling confusion, openly reflecting a nightmarish shoot that lost its way in a most profound manner.

After surviving a plane crash and the violent actions of the remaining survivors, Edward (David Thewlis) is adrift in the Java Sea. A U.N. employee looking to deal with world issues, Edward is instead rescued by Montgomery (Val Kilmer), a former neurosurgeon who works with Dr. Moreau (Marlon Brando), helping the enigmatic scientist keep order on his private island. Edward is grateful for the aid, but quickly realizes he’s not permitted to leave, turned into a prisoner of sorts as he meets with Moreau’s community, including his “children,” with Aissa (Fairuza Balk) providing a temptation for the new arrival. Attempting an escape, Edward stumbles upon the reality of Dr. Moreau’s activities, learning more about his effort to manufacture a “divine creature” through experimentation. He’s generated a collection of mutants he controls through violence, and curiosity from Hyena-Swine (Daniel Rigney) leads the group into a revolt, putting Edward in the middle of a developing horror as chaos erupts.

Edward trades one disaster for another in “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” surviving a plane crash, only to be stuck in a life raft with two men happy to kill each other over the last drop of drinkable water. Rescue is provided by Montgomery, and the writing (credited to Stanley and Ron Hutchinson) isn’t big on mystery, with the assistant openly strange and secretly violent, offering Edward refuge on the island, only to lock him in his room as night falls. It takes 30 minutes of screen time before Brando shows up as Dr. Moreau, with Frankenheimer clumsily selling Edward’s curiosity (it’s more lustful leering) with Aissa and his tolerance of Montgomery’s unsavory ways.

Once Dr. Moreau arrives on the scene, covered in sunscreen, the feature does perk up some, as Brando provides his customary eccentricity and careful line readings (the earpiece feeding the actor his dialogue is visible), and initial meetings with the hybrids offer an air of uneasiness to the picture. Makeup efforts are also laudable, bringing these creatures to life (CGI additions always break the illusion). However, once all the players are introduced and the central crisis of Hyena-Swine’s revolution is established (digging a shock chip out of his body), “The Island of Dr. Moreau” doesn’t really go anywhere of interest. Frankenheimer isn’t here to figure things out, leaving the theme of inhumanity to fade away, increasing instability within the community while keeping many of his shots in tight closeups, presumably to dial up screen tension that’s not available any other way.

There are two versions of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” on this release: a Director’s Cut (100:24) and the Original Theatrical Version (95:48).

The Island of Dr. Moreau Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Director's Cut of "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is the main attraction of this Blu-ray release, with the AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation listed as a "new 2K scan of the interpositive." The Theatrical Cut also included on the disc has not be rescanned. Detail does fine during the viewing experience, offering a slightly softer sense of skin particulars on the cast, preserving sweaty appearances, while creature activity retains most of its makeup textures and hairiness. Island tours offer a reasonably deep look at hut construction and exterior action, getting a sense of isolation at times. Colors are defined, with rich greenery and tropical hues. Skin tones on human characters remain natural, and creature appearances retain their animalistic looks. The whiteness of Dr. Moreau's sunblock is also distinct. Delineation is mostly acceptable, with a few evening scenes teetering on the edge of solidification. Source is in good condition.

The Island of Dr. Moreau Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix preserves dialogue exchanges, dealing with animal interactions and the somewhat mumbling ways of the cast at times. More defined dramatic offerings are crisp, and unintelligibility isn't an issue. Scoring supports with sharp instrumentation, also working musical moods into the surrounds at times. Atmospherics also go circular, especially during weather events and jungle chases. Low-end perks up with more violent encounters.

The Island of Dr. Moreau Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Right or Wrong" (20:17, HD) is an interview with creature makeup effects supervisor Shane Mahan, who shares his fandom of the original cinematic incarnation of "The Island of Dr. Moreau," 1932's "Lost Souls," creating a familiarity with the material and inspiration to do something in this world. Early meetings with director Richard Stanley established monster concepts, with Mahan beginning work on the details of the creatures, also exploring how the actors helped to define their roles through ideas, including Ron Perlman, who wanted to play blind. The interviewee discusses the change in directors, with John Frankenheimer electing to shoot fast and in the brightness of day, diminishing the initial artistic vision. Tales of Marlon Brando's participation in the picture are offered, with Mahan making early contact with the actor, who was interested in generating his own bizarre take on Dr. Moreau. Mahan refuses to go into the "troubles" of the shoot, returning to memories of the production, highlighting the presence of Nelson de la Rosa, as Brando was completely obsessed with the short performer.

• "The Making of 'The Island of Dr. Moreau'" (5:27, SD) is an EPK featurette exploring the basics of production while sharing movie promotion language, offering interviews with actors Val Kilmer (who's wearing sunglasses and a hat) and Davd Thewlis, Digital Domain CEO Scott Ross, and makeup effects supervisor Stan Winston. Deep-dive information about the creation of "The Island of Dr. Moreau" isn't offered here, but there are brief glimpses of BTS footage, watching the cast and crew prepare shots. Test images from visual effects and makeup achievements are also included.

• Image Gallery (2:47) collects poster art, film stills, BTS snaps, and lobby cards.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:56, HD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:02, HD) are included.

The Island of Dr. Moreau Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One can endure "The Island of Dr. Moreau" as a curiosity. There's entertainment value in watching the film fall apart, with Frankenheimer ignoring story points (including a more substantial understanding of the hybrid community) and some elements of continuity to force all the puzzle pieces together. The picture has plenty of oddity to inspect, with Brando doing his own thing (his time with diminutive co-star Nelson de la Rosa famously inspired the Mini-Me addition to the "Austin Powers" franchise), and Kilmer is trying to be weird, clearly not interested in participating in the production. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" eventually reaches a breaking point where mayhem takes over, but the surge of violence is unearned. It's unpleasant noisiness to cover for a broken effort, and any lasting message on the ways of human savagery is lost to a feature that's largely desperate to put anything onscreen just to get the whole thing over with.