Based on the 1818 groundbreaking classic novel by Mary Shelley, the film stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. All of them giving good performances. This well-known highly influential tale has been told over and over and never, like most book adaptations, comes close enough to the source material as it should.
At 2 1/2 hours, this is a long film. It mostly looks fine, but it is too evenly lit for me, considering the subject matter and has a video game cleanness about it that takes away from the gothic horror of it all. If anyone can make a monster sexy, it's Guillermo del Toro and this version of Frankenstein's creature is pretty sexy despite being made up of bits and pieces of dead criminals and soldiers. Alordi has very expressive and kind eyes that show the character's inner goodness that has gone south because of his mistreatment and uncaring creator. Isaac is wasted in this role and he tries to bring something to not well written role. We feel nothing for him or really any of the other cast members.
The start of the film and introduction to Frankenstein and his obession to create life is too long and we never see anything that leads to understanding his motivations except on a superficial level. The sets look good but also, in my opinion, lack the imagination del Toro has put into other projects. We see only a hint of the deep themes of the book and the rearranging of the characters and introduction of romance plot(s) add nothing to the endeavour. The monster's tale part of the film is where it picks up and has some real heart in it but even then it misses the mark more than it hits it. There are several scenes that we should be crying from the events affecting the characters but it never gives us enough reason to care about them to reach that emotional place.
It's not a terrible movie its just sort of meh from a talented director we expect more from based on a story that has never been truly told faithfully. The Branagh version is closer to the book with a very notable exception at the end. This version changes the story in superficial ways that take away from the genius of Shelley.
If any character is is the running for more films than Dracula... it's Frankenstein. First appearing the classic book Frankenstein - the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley in 1818, it is the story of a scientist who learns how to piece together dead tissue and re-animate it - in effect creating a new life. He is horrified by this accomplishment and rejects the creature which leads to both their deaths many years later and after considerable tragedy.
As with Dracula, there are far to many films that take inspiration from Shelley's book to every be listed fully. In light of that I am concentrating on films that are more landmarks of the monster's movie career and focus more or less (usually less) on the original story.
Frankenstien 1910
While only 16 minutes long, this is the first film adaption of the book and begins the long standing tradition of ignoring most of what was in the original story. The creation of the monster, done by burning a puppet and playing it reverse, is still kind of creepy looking. In the end the creature is touched by the love it's creator feels for his new wife and disappears into a mirror.
Frankenstien 1931
This is the best known version on film of the tale. Directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff as the creature, it cemented the look of the monster forever in the mind of popular culture. If you combine this film with it's sequel, the Bride of Frankenstein (1935) you could edit together a more complete version of the story but each film stands on it's own as classic examples of Universal Studio's horror films. There was also a third movie, making it a trilogy which was also very well received and successful at the box office. (Son of Frankenstein - 1939)
The Curse of Frankenstein 1957
Hammer studios decided to take on the character, as it would later with Dracula, even to the extent both were played by Christopher Lee. The film was savaged by critics for lack or originality and being depressing and gruesome, but the public loved it enough to warrant a series of Hammer films to be made that featured Doctor Frankenstein and less so his creation.
Frankenstein 1973 (TV film)
Dan Curtis threw his hate into the ring with this TV adaption. It remains fairly close to original text but suffered from a low budget by today's standards and was filmed on video. Not long after it was aired Frankenstien - The True Ttory, a British 2 part production, was shown on NBC and overshadowed Curtis' attempt.
Young Frankenstein 1974
While more a take on the previous films from Universal than the novel, this Mel Brooks parody sets the standard for many film parodies. Even though it's a very funny comedy, the cinematography and music are truly top notch, way above many serious takes on the topic. It's funny and beautiful at the same time.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein 1994
While following the plot very closely for most of the film, it jumps the shark at the end - pretty much ruining an otherwise strong attempt to finally tell the actual story. Starring and directed by Kenneth Branagh and nicely filmed with a dream cast - including Robert De Niro as the monster and a slew of great supporting actors and actresses. It's a worthy attempt at least and it does introduce us to a very sexy, sweaty Doctor Frankenstein. So 10 points for that.
Frankenstein (miniseries) 2004
This multi-part hallmark adaption of the Shelley gothic novel is perhaps the most loyal to the source material to date. Well received and lauded for it's treatment of the subject, it was later edited to a movie for British audiences.
The list could go on, but in recent years less attempts to be true to the spirit of the novel have been produced in lieu of flicks like I, Frankenstein. The novel's monstrous creation becomes less and less monstrous as time goes on. In far too many versions, the creature just looks like a muscular pretty boy with some scar makeup applied to his face. I think this is shortcut to make the viewer feel compassion for him, but who really feels bad for well built fashion models? Following his arc in the book, anyone would easily feel the horrible position the Doctor has put his creation in by abandoning him to the world. My personal favourite Frankenstein is the book version illustrated by Bernie Wrightson and I wish there was a film version using that as a template.
Oh - there was a ballet which I did not see but I will provide this photo for you to decide for yourself how faithful to Shelley it was.
Frankenstein's Daughter. It rocked (thanks to a performance by wacky sidekick character Harold Lloyd, Jr,) with Frankenstein turning babes into horrid henchwomen for no apparent motivation other than having an f'ed up great-grandpaw. The reason I watched this was because I read M.W. Shelley's Frankenstein recently so I was on a jag.
