User Reviews

One of Roger Corman's later demented efforts, this one's an abortion clinic's nightmare. Corman probably laughed all the way to the bank when he produced this one.

Brooke Adams plays an infertile woman who goes to a fertility specialist (James Karen) in order to conceive. What she doesn't know is that Karen is a DNA researcher who's been using the women who come to his clinic in order to create a new race of superbabies by altering the husband's sperm. The medication that he gives them causes some strange side effects such as hallucinations and a rash that breaks out on the side of their necks.

Over the top scenes include:

Adam's fetus stabbing a pen into the eye of her stupid husband. This happens right when Brooke is breast feeding her fetus. It looks like a deformed little thing from hell. He deserved it because he knew Karen's clinic wasn't straight-up legit to begin with.

Adams then shoots Karen in his lab and then starts shooting all the fetuses growing in the labs glass spheres. As Karen lays there dying from the gunshot wound, a couple of the dead fetuses fall bloody, onto his face. Jesus... (laughs)

It's too bad a talented actress like Brook Adams has sunk so far as to do something like this. Only a few short years before, she was starring in films with the likes of Richard Gere, Sean Connery and Christopher Walken. What a shame.

Also notable for having Lisa Kudrow as Karen's receptionist. She's looks quite different from what she does, today.

The whole thing's worth a look, but just one, imo. There's also a bizarre last scene involving Brooke and her fetus. You gotta see it to believe it. (laughs)

6 out of 10

A somewhat lame attempt to jump on the "evil baby" bandwagon, a sub-genre which includes such diverse titles ranging from the absolute classic (ROSEMARY'S BABY), to the fairly hopeless (I DON'T WANT TO BE BORN), to the inevitable obscure, foreign-made rip-offs (BABY BLOOD and DAMNED IN VENICE). THE UNBORN is a horror film containing lots of slow-burning dread and fear and a few moments of graphic horror to make up for the slow pacing and routine plot that the rest of the production offers. Characters are poorly-defined and set up to fall and the climax is let down by some really cheesy special effects of a killer baby which looks like nothing more than a rubbery doll. The script is over-wordy and the film let down by the central casting of Brooke Adams (INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS) who overplays it by overacting during the sequence in which she throws a tantrum and wrecks her house and proves to be unlikeable at other times, meaning that you never really care for her character. Brad Blaisdell, who plays her husband, is wooden and dull throughout, so his eventual death is not so much shocking as a much-needed case of "just desserts".

The only actor of note in the proceedings is RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD's James Karen, but even he is wasted in the small role of the sinister scientist who causes all the aggro in the first place. His slimy death, in which his dying body is pelted by all manner of strange and unnatural slime and goo, is pretty amusing though. Trivia fans can spot a pre-FRIENDS Lisa Kudrow appearing in a one-scene cameo as a secretary. Gore fans will be disappointed that the blood is in short supply; aside from a nasty moment in which a lesbian massacres her lover there's only a knitting-needle-in-the-eye sequence to get excited about. THE UNBORN does deserve kudos for being brave enough to include one sick scene in which a woman stabs herself in her own pregnant stomach repeatedly but otherwise is a bit of a missed opportunity, following a well-worn and predictable route to a rather lame and tired conclusion. It's difficult to get worked up about any of the characters or their activities in this movie and as a whole it leaves a distasteful taste in the mouth come the downbeat, oh-so-surprising twist conclusion. None of the science-fiction elements are adequately explored or the reasons or results for their appearance explained, leaving them looking like nothing more than tacked-on shots to give the plot some kind of solid ground.

"The Unborn" is a huge misstep of a horror film.

**SPOILERS**

Having trouble with conceiving children, Virginia Marshall, (Brooke Adams) and her husband Brad, (Jeff Heyenga) decide to visit Dr. Richard Meyerling, (James Karen) a fertility specialist with a high success rate. After undergoing a procedure, she finds out that she is pregnant with their child, and the two begin preparing their out in anticipation of the arrival of the baby. When she starts to experience a series of mood swings and odd behavior, which Dr. Meyerling attributes to a normal pregnancy but she still believes is connected to the chemicals that had been injected into her during her treatment with the doctor. Finally discovering that the baby's change was indeed through the doctor, she sets off to get rid of the baby and get her life back.

The Good News: There really isn't a whole lot here to like. One of the few pleasures is it's great premise and set-up. Having something such as a fertility clinic and the shady goings-on within is a wonderful idea. Then by having their creations affecting one of their patients in the worst way possible is simply marvelous and makes for great potential. The last ten minutes are it's best, with the realization about what has happened and the determination to avenge it coming up with some really good minor action sequences in a secret laboratory filled with a quite creepy surprise and a really decent car-crash at the end. Other than that, there really isn't a whole lot here that was enjoyable.

The Bad News: It gets points for it's clever set-up, but the fact still remains that this was a painful film to sit through. Most of this is due to the fact that there isn't much in the way of anything at all happening. Most of the time in the beginning is spent on the ways they're preparing for the baby, which is a realistic touch but just slows the film down to a crawl. To feature so many different scenes is quite excruciating and just needless. There's no need to have so many, it's obvious what is going on, just get moving. More time should've been spent with the last part of the movie, which is quite good and it's only redeeming feature, and a feature-length adaptation of that kind of scares would've certainly been far more fun to sit through. As realistic as they are, it's just not that exciting at all and really hurts it. Another big factor is that there's a plot twist revealed just before which is so obviously coming that it doesn't really register as it should and comes off as clichéd. It's even ripped off from another movie, in the same type of scene, camera-angle for camera-angle. To have ripped off the idea wouldn't have been so bad, but to be as blatant as it is with it's stealing is really not that good and does it no favors. This was just a really disappointing and dull film.

The Final Verdict: While it does have a pretty interesting set-up and premise, unfortunately this thing falters as there's a real lack of any real horror and it's just a long, drawn-out affair. If it appeals to you, give it a shot, but don't be surprised if there isn't much in it.

Rated R: Violence, Graphic Language, Brief Nudity and a long, mild clothed sex scene

Brooke Adams ("Invasion of the Body Snatchers" '78) and Jeff Hayenga ("The Prince of Pennsylvania") play Virginia and Brad Marshall, a children's book author and lawyer unable to have a child. On the recommendation of a friend, they visit the fertility clinic of a Dr. Meyerling (the late, great character actor James Karen, "The Return of the Living Dead"). He claims a 100% success rate, and later Virginia *does* become pregnant. But, as it turns out, the shady Dr. Meyerling is in the business of genetic alteration, and the fetus inside Virginia is turning into something fairly monstrous...

This 1990s update of Larry Cohens' "It's Alive" will certainly hit home for some viewers, if they're expecting a child or want to start a family. The film is disturbing to an extent, elevating it above being merely a "cheap gore film". And make no mistake, it IS gory at times, but the premise, story, and characters still carry enough weight on their own. The "monster baby" effect isn't bad considering that this wasn't a big-budgeted affair. Adding atmosphere is a soundtrack co-composed by Gary Numan, the pop star who'd had a hit with the song "Cars". What will be particularly disconcerting for many viewers is the fact that Virginia visits an abortionist at one point, desperate to remove this unholy presence from her body.

The performances range from acceptable to good to genuinely impressive. Karen is a delight as the mad scientist who hides dubious intent behind a genial, seemingly kind exterior. Familiar faces among the supporting cast include K. Callan ('Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman') as Virginia's mother, veteran B movie bad guy Rick Dean ("Cheyenne Warrior") as the scruffy abortionist, and future stars Lisa Kudrow and Kathy Griffin in early film roles. Adams is sympathetic in a tour-de-force performance, especially in her big meltdown scene.

Entertaining material, given effectively straight-faced treatment from producer / director Rodman Flender ("Conan O'Brien Can't Stop", "Idle Hands"), with not much in the way of humour.

Followed by a sequel three years later.

Seven out of 10.

A couple who cannot have children decide to go to a clinic for a little help conceiving a baby. Before long, the mother starts having eerie symptoms hinting that something is not right with the fetus, and soon after she discovers that she is the victim of a heinous genetic engineering experiment involving the creation of super-human babies. A somewhat drowsy approach to the killer baby genre, the first hour moves along well with a descent story about an unstable woman who thinks a monster is growing inside of her, but may just be going insane. The last bit relies on cheesy shocks and takes some of it's cues from It's Alive. The killer baby is quite fake looking, and nothing really seems to happen in the big finale. The final scene, however, is good. Brooke Adams carries the movie, and James Karen is good in his role as the evil doctor, even though he is given little to do. Lisa Kudrow appears in one of her early pre-Friends B-movie roles, and Kathy Griffin co-starred in this before she broke through with her stand-up "comedy" act. She gets whacked with a hammer, in a horribly staged fight scene. Two Stars.

It's a good thing I didn't watch this while i was pregnant.I definitely would have cried my eyes out and/or vomit. It was Kind of gruesome mainly disturbing. I personally thought the baby was adorable in its own twisted little way.However as a mom I cringed when Beth stabbed herself in the stomach and when Virgina aborted the child during her 3rd trimester with rusty utensils no less.Also,as an animal lover i almost cried when she scratched the cat to a bloody pulp.However,As creepy and sinister as the baby was I was rooting for it to live.And as twisted as the movie was I am extremely intrigued to see the sequel...... ......... ....... ......... ......... ....... ...... .....

The Unborn tells the tale of a married couple named Virginia (Brooke Adames) & Bradley Marshall (Jeff Hayenga) who have tried for the last five years to conceive, Virginia has had two miscarriages since then & is desperate to have a child. They visit Dr. Richard Meyerling (James Karen) for help after he is recommended by some of their friends, Dr. Meyerling says he will be able to help them have a child. Dr. Meyerling operates on Virginia & it is soon confirmed that the surgery has been a success & Virginia is pregnant. At first everything seems perfect & the Marshall's couldn't be happier, but their picture perfect lives don't last for long as Virginia's pregnancy develops problems, she becomes moody & acts totally out of character & she receives a worrying phone call from Beth (Jane Cameron), another woman who has undergone Dr. Meyerling's procedure, who claims that Meyerling is in fact using his patients for his own sinister ends & is in fact a disgraced genetic researcher. Virginia begins to question just what is growing inside of her...

Produced & directed by Rodman Flender I actually thought The Unborn was a decent horror/thriller (it's DEFINITELY NOT a sci-fi film as the IMDb would have you believe) that pleasantly surprised me. The script by Henry Dominic tries to be different & it must take some credit for that at least. The Unborn goes for psychological horror rather than cheap scares & bad special effects, it's got quite a clever story that works & plays on basic human fears. It moves along at a fair pace although it's not exactly an action packed film by any means. The climax was good & seemed a fitting way to round things off & the warnings about messing around with genetics seem even more relevant today than it must have been back then, maybe Flender knew something the rest of us didn't. On the down side it lacks some exploitation elements & is at heart a dialogue driven film mostly focusing on one person so it can get a bit dull at times. Also, I have to mention it, what on Erath was that grinning black skateboarding dwarf all about eh?!

Director Flender does an OK job, The Unborn is far from the most stylish or visually interesting film ever made but it's good enough. The atmosphere is good & there's a fair bit of tension as what Virginia has inside of her & Dr. Meyerling's sinister plans aren't fully revealed until the last possible moment. Disappointingly the blood & gore is almost non existent which in a way lets the film down because in retrospect nothing really memorable happens, The Unborn relies on good storytelling which is fine but in a week I doubt I'll remember too much about it.

Technically the film is OK, I'd imagine that The Unborn had a pretty low budget but it's well made even if it's a little bland & forgettable. The baby creature is actually a decent special effect & has fairly realistic facial movement. The acting is good & this was one of the first acting jobs credited to Friends (1994 - 2004) star Lisa Kudrow, I have to be honest I don't like Friends & I don't even know who she was in this so I can't tell you how she did.

The Unborn is a good horror/thriller that deserves to be more widely known & seen, it's far better than a lot of low budget crap that litter video shop shelves. If your a horror fan & are looking for something a bit different, something slightly more intelligent & thought provoking than usual then I think you could do a lot worse than The Unborn. Followed by a dumbed down sequel The Unborn II (1994) which I watched straight after this, check my review out if you want..