Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Voxitype
Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.
Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Jakoba
True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.
Coventry
Slightly irrelevant and pointless, but nevertheless interesting little footnote to start off this user comment with: this movie contains a sex sequence that could have come straight out a Kama-Sutra encyclopedia. The couple makes love in a rocking chair and – believe it or not – but it's fairly elegant and passionately filmed, which is the last thing I expected to see in an obscure early 90's B-movie so kudos! "The Unborn" revolves on the ever ongoing quest to create the perfect human being. Therefore, some sleaze doctors in an artificial insemination clinic are saddling up unsuspecting but desperately craving mothers with altered DNA that eventually grows out into evil mutant monster fetuses that communicate from within the womb. Argh, freaky! The patients, including the writer of children's books Virginia Marshall, soon begin to have strange side-effects, like a burning rash in their necks. Virginia, who has been rational and even somewhat skeptical about the whole in-vitro fertilization method since the beginning, quickly understands that this thing growing inside of her is something evil and uncontrollable and she becomes obsessed with the idea losing her baby. Of course, nobody – especially not her husband - believes her mad raving speeches about doctors trying to create a master race. Completely unexpected, "The Unborn" was a pleasant horror surprise! The film has an original and potentially very terrifying basic premise – particularly if you're a young parent yourself – and the execution is fair to very decent as well. The script contains a handful of highly imaginative little details, like for example the malignant doctor corresponding with his evil embryos through hidden messages in the specially prepared relax tapes. There are some unsettling special effects and make-up art for the horror fanatics to enjoy as well. Of course, it's fairly easy to show shocking images in a film dealing with pregnant women and unborn babies. Just one brief image of a mother with a bloodied belly and a pair of scissors in her hands looks genuinely disturbing. The monstrous fetus looks quite cheesy, but it's nevertheless a nice attempt and, besides, it's not everyday you watch a fetus attack someone with a needle.
preppy-3
A childless couple (Brooke Adams, Jeff Hayenga) go to a doctor (James Karen) to try to conceive. It works but Adams slowly becomes aware that there's something seriously wrong with the baby...Pretty interesting idea is thoroughly done in by a lousy script--the basic idea is OK but becomes screamingly predictable towards the end. I saw every "twist" coming. The direction is poor--he seems to have no idea how to shoot a basic scene. The production values are--to be nice--lousy. Very shabby. And, the gore scenes are too unpleasant (I almost turned it off when a pregnant woman started stabbing herself in the stomach) with lousy special effects. The film completely derails at the end when it becomes quite clear they had no idea HOW to end this film.Some good acting makes it somewhat bearable. Adams, Hayenga and Karen are all good at their roles and kept me watching but that was about it. This film barely got released in 1991 and still remains unknown--it's easy to see why. I give it a 4.
Kenneth Anderson
I was surprised to see the overall positive reviews this film received. Especially given that I was primed to have my horrified impressions confirmed. I chose 'The Unborn' as my Halloween night scary movie to watch with a friend. It was scary alright, but not in a good way.Brooke Adams (my favorite under-appreciated actress who was so wonderful in 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers') stars as an infertile writer eager to conceive of a child with her husband. This in spite of the fact that he sports an atrocious 'Halloween Hobo' beard.At a spartan 'Coma' like clinic, Adams and hubby are directed by a young and brunette Lisa Kudrow to a meeting with fatherly physician James Karen where they are told that they can have a child through a special in-vitro method he has devised.Faster than you can say 'Rosemary's Baby,' Adams is suffering all manner of unfortunate pregnancy symptoms, all leading her to conclude that she is the victim of some horrible plot. Indeed she is.'The Unborn' is a Roger Corman production and screams inexpensive and ineptitude from every frame. First of all, the film has the look of one of those 'Mystery Science Theater' bombs. Made in the 90's, it looks like the 70's. The 'music' score is that kind of repetitive electronica noise found in every low-grade sci-fi film from the 80's.The plot is provocative but submarined by predictability, moronic dialog and the necessity for characters to veer from intelligent to idiotic at whim.It's pretty much 'Alien' meets 'Rosemary's Baby' meets 'The Devil Within' meets 'The Brood' meets 'The Bad Seed.' Corman was never one for originality.* SPOILER*My friend and I found the film worthwhile chiefly for providing the public with an opportunity to see annoying comic Kathy Griffin get beaten to death with a hammer. Just awful otherwise…but that Brooke Adams is really great.
Movie Nuttball
The Unborn is a very, very different film. James Karen & Brooke Adams are in the film and they performed quite well. this film is builds up solidly and it keeps you going. Though I think you must be a horror fan to watch this because of the scenes and the plot. There is one brief sex scene with no nudity that could have been left out and to some people this scene may disappoint someone like Me that's into the film and thinks that stuff ruins a good film but that's it when it comes to that. There is a scene where Adams' character goes nuts and kills a cat but you can tell its not real. The music is very different but very good. The Unborn in My opinion is a really creepy film that's superbly unpredictable and that's quite strange! I recommend all horror fans to this movie!