Nerdy Science Blog

Producing a science fiction movie is not easy, as it require a lot of background knowledge to produce a good one. But Jurassic Park has become one of the greatest sci-fi movies, and CSI is one of my favorite sci-fi series.

Now, we have our ‘Cicak Man’ (Gekko Man) which was categorized into science fiction movie. As for local movie, I don’t expect it as great as Jurassic Park or CSI or other superhero’s movies produced in Hollywood. But is sorry to say that, this movie is… terrible, misleading, and totally not making sense, scientifically.

JerryWho has given his review, so as sam. And now I am giving mine, here in Nerdy Science Blog.

1. to examine viruses and vaccine, scientists DO NOT use a light microscope. Instead, scientists use electron microscope (EM) which give higher magnification for observing viruses.
   Just FYI, scientists nowadays has better technique such as molecular technique to detect viruses. However, in the case where unknown infectious agent is involved, as in the case of SARS, EM is still the only choice.
   As for vaccine, it is much more complicated. I would prefer not to elaborate here as it is going to be an essay long. But for sure, scientists do not search for a vaccine using a microscope.
2. I have no idea what was Hairi looking into the light microscope? Hairi is a scientist in the movie, his research is about searching for vaccine against disease caused by ‘Virus 266’.
   However, what was shown under microscope is definitely neither viruses nor vaccine! By looking at the giant-size-cartoon-like microorganisms and the speed of the organisms which divided in seconds, I would like to say that it is a total new species. With the size of the ‘micro’organisms under the microscope, we can probably view it even with our naked eyes.
   And just FYI, I observed how yeasts (Saccharomyces pombe) divided under a light microscope.
3. eating and drinking is strictly prohibited in laboratory. This rule applies to any lab.
4. a scientist with brain, will never let a cage containing laboratory test subjects i.e., geckos open widely without monitoring.
5. still, I got no idea how can a gecko dissolve in a coffee. Any explanation?
6. no matter how, Hairi successfully had his gecko goes into his stomach, which transform the man into gecko.
   I have no idea what transform a man into a gecko, the gecko itself? Theoretically, whatever that enter you stomach, will breakdown into smaller pieces and slowly get digested. And practically, you don’t transform into something you eat.
   Because of the Virus 266? I do not know how is the infection mechanism of Virus 266, but given the virus H5N1 as example: if you eat a raw chicken infected with H5N1, you are more likely to get infected by H5N1, rather than transform into an Ayam (Chicken) Man. Moreover, what is the Virus 266 to do with gecko?
7. none of any species of lizard excrete sticky excretion to walk on vertical surface or upside down. In this case, I referring to ‘cicak’ or gekko, they use their adhesive toe pads.
   since a iguana was involve in the movie, so FYI, iguana don’t have adhesive toe pad which allow them to walk like how ‘cicak’ walk. If you ever notice, they only have claws.
   btw, geckos are carnivores, iguanas are herbivores.
8. performing scientific research in a apartment? Looking for antidote for gekko man? Frankly, I love that idea, that’s mean we will have freelance scientists working from home, where you can easily make order for viruses that can turn human shit into purple color.
9. cloning an animal, including human is not a process of photocopying. Researchers had explained the concept over and over again, all the cicak man script writer need to do is refer to the famous clone, Dolly as an example.
10. though this is not really related to science: the barcodes on those clones look so cheapskate as it can just rub away with a finger.
11. anyone with some medical knowledge will tell you: air bubbles in a syringe can kill. Ok, maybe it doesn’t apply for a half gecko half man’s creature.

Do I miss out anything? Feeling like scan through the movie again. Any DVD?

*Gecko: a type of small lizard (longman dictionary).
**Gekko: one of the genus name of gecko.

Addition:

Well… I didn’t notice that Metrofulus was actually a cold country (huh? Does it look like one? I don’t see anyone in the movie breathe out air?). Paris Beaverbanks point out the some facts about the behavior of lizards in cold country. Have a look into her Cicak Man review, “Cicakman - glitch in facts?” @ Paris Beaverbanks.