The Island of Dr. Moreau

John Frankenheimer's update of H. G. Wells' brooding inquiry into the nature of man is--strictly philosophically speaking--a hoot. David Thewlis plays the unfortunate bait who lands on Dr. Moreau's (Marlon Brando) wacky piece of real estate, which is peopled (or should I say animaled) by half-human, half-whatever-was-handy-to-mate creatures. The Dr. and his right-hand doper Val Kilmer (who both play their roles somewhere around the 89th piano key) are trying very hard to create a new Eden, but things kind of go to hell. A little grandiose, thematically speaking? Maybe so, but it's a lot more daring than most recent Hollywood fodder. Recommended. (R. Pitman)