How sad is this?

A Disappointing Continuation

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

A scientist attempts to create the perfect woman using an advanced test-tube procedure he has developed after experimenting on a dog fetus, resulting in a super-intelligent but fast-growing canine. Unbeknownst to the doctor, however, is the fact that this new science turns its subjects into killers. To this end, he falls in love with his creation - a very beautiful, extremely intelligent woman - who happens to have homicidal tendencies unfortunately also.This sci-fi-horror-melodrama was directed by Ralph Nelson who previously was known to me for a couple of violent westerns, Duel at Diablo (1966) and Soldier Blue (1970), with the latter being a particularly controversial film. With Embryo, he is involved in something a lot less contentious, yet it does have a look at some uncomfortable issues, such as the horror of a human being growing to full adulthood in a matter of weeks and the associated tragedy inherent in that. The moral dimension of course is the old Frankenstein conundrum of man playing god and meddling with nature. The scientist here is Rock Hudson and I thought he was good enough in the part. Barbara Carrera stars as his creation, while Diane Ladd plays his dead wife's sister who stays with him to work as his assistant for some reason - it's not really much of a role for Ladd to be fair. Much better was Roddy McDowall in a cameo appearance in what is certainly the best scene in the movie, he plays a chauvinistic chess master who has his ass whipped by Carrera in front of an amused gathering of guests at a party – McDowall is really entertaining to watch in this part. Challenging him as best performer is the Doberman who nonchalantly carries out a series if very clever tricks throughout the movie.Overall, while I wouldn't say this is a fully successful film, it's still a pretty interesting one. It only really moves into horror territory in its final stages and in fact ends on a pretty commendably dark note indeed. But I found the ideas and story quite engaging and think this one is worth catching, particularly if you like 70's sci-fi.

You would have to be to see any plot or entertainment value in this movie, if your bored and want to waste 140 some minutes turn on a blank TV and stare at it. You will be better off in the long run! After trying to submit I have been informed I need 10 lines so here are 10 lines this movie should be buried by the psycho pincher who is by far the best actor in the movie... here goes: 1. Did Hudson need money that bad? 2. Same question for Diane. 3. Whyyyyyyyyyy did the poor family have to die? 4. MacDowell's acting was phenomenal, really! 5. How much did she get for frog lamp on ebay, it had best cameo. 6. Bonus: no dogs were harmed in the making of this movie, however directors daughters stuffed doggie did not survive. 7. RIP Goldie the gold fish. 8. They sure knew how to party in the 70's. 9. This clearly shows Rock Hudson without Doris Day equals tragic movie consequences! 10. I was seriously considering buying a doberman but now... PASS!

Rock Hudson stumbles upon a means of rapidly growing fetuses after he hits a dog with his car. He made the discovery after he tries to save the dogs pups. Taking the experiment one step farther he grows a human fetus which turns into Barbara Carrera who seems to spring to adulthood almost over night. Unfortunately the rapid growth keeps her emotionally young and she also aging much faster than anyone realizes. Scifi horror film is the sort of thing that would have ended up on TV if it wasn't for the star and the nudity. Its actually not a bad little film but it's the sort of thing that had been done at least a dozen times before. Worth a look if you run across it on an undemanding night but nothing you need search out unless you're a fan of Hudson or one of its other stars.

Okay, the one question that comes to mind when I think back to this movie is why? What would be the purpose of growing a woman from embryo to adulthood? They spend allot of time talking about the science of how it embryo becomes full grown and kept talking about the rapid age issue. But it just had dragged on, I wish they focused more on her growing insanity and less on the age issue. But what can you do. The performances in this were great, a great cast and they ain't shy about nudity. The effects what there were of them was impressive. But the whole movie plays out more like a science reel in school and less like a science fiction monster movie. I give it 6 STARS.