Tubi Thursday: DNA (1996)

 In 2024, there's all sorts of talk about DNA and how it can be 'changed.'

Instead of that, here's a combo Jurassic Park/Predator/Alien rip-off from 1996.

A Doctor- Mark Dacascos- is approached by another Doctor- Jurgen Prochnov- about his work with rare beetles to cure, well, everything.

This leads them to a cave with some ancient creature's bones.

Prochnov is, of course, the Bad Guy and betrays everyone.

8 years later, Mark learns that he's alive (he faked his death) and working with said bones still.

A Plot Device/Love Interest/Character leads him and a young boy to find him.

He's cloned and rebirthed the creature from DNA found in the bones.  He's even get a Black Scientist (aka the voice of Achilles in the Assassin's Creed Games) a la JP to help him.

Said creature was made by an FX team that includes Greg Nicotero.
Enjoy this shot- you don't see any of him until about an hour in.

The bulk of the Film is pretty stock, involving shootouts, a boat chase, explosions and POV Monster action.

The stock music- which feels borrowed from many Films- doesn't help.

On the plus side, it got oddly topical at one point...

Thankfully, things pick up when Dacascos goes full-Predator to fight the creature in the finale.

A bit late, but thanks.

A decent enough Film, but just set your expectations at the right level.

Is this Film original?  No.
Is this Film inspired?  No.
Is this the kind of Film you'd watch on a Saturday afternoon before Netflix existed?  Yes- very yes.

I'd like to say that we watch better Films now, but does anyone remember Red Notice?  I thought not.

Like I said before, the Film is very stock.  The music is familiar and cliche. The Plot is nothing unique.  Hell, even the Sets feel like they are part of a Corman Film.

The appeal here, in theory, is the creature.
Once you get to finally see it, the thing is basically a modified Xenomorph that can turn invisible a la The Predator.

Would it have killed them to try anything new?

If you want predictable, nothing special entertainment made for the Cable/early Video Market, you could do far worse.

One question though- who is this guy on the Poster below?!?

Even if you haven't seen this Film before, you kind of already have.  Do check out the IMDB Trivia though- it is full of nonsense.