Director: Stuart Beattie
Writer: Stuart Beattie (Screenplay) Kevin Grevioux (Graphic Novel)
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Bill Nighy, Jai Courtney, Socratis Otto, Aden Young, Catlin Stasey
Plot: Doctor Victor Frankenstein dies frozen to death and the creature buries him at the cemetery of his family. However he is attacked by demons but he kills on of them and Gargoyles save him and take him to a Cathedral where the Gargoyles Order gathers. The Queen of the Gargoyles Leonore (Otto) keeps Doctor Frankenstein’s journal together with the treasures of the Order and gives the name Adam (Eckhart) to the creature. Then she explains to Adam that there is an ancient war between the Gargoyles that are angels and demons under the command of the Prince Naberius (Nighy). She also invites Adam to join the Gargoyles in the war against demons, but Adam prefers to isolate in a remote place. Two hundred years later, Adam returns and finds a modern society. Soon he learns that Naberius has the intention of creating an army of soulless corpses to be possessed by demons. The scientist Terra (Strahovski) is researching a process to create life and Naberius is seeking Doctor Frankenstein’s journal to help Terra and raise his army.
Verdict: Action CGI style
Story: The old good versus bad battle that the human don’t see that escalates into a destructive battle when one believes they can get the overall control. Add in Frankenstein’s monster to the see which side of the battle will he fall on. Let’s face it this is not the most original idea and in the end feels like just another member of the almost something special, but unfortunately is just plain. It is watchable, but nothing special. (6/10)
Actor Reviews
Aaron Eckhart: Adam the creature wanting to live on his own but the constant attack from demons means he wants to end the war between the two. Adam is a skilled fighter who battles to stay on the good side of the battle, which he struggles to see when the Gargoyles have to hide things from him. Good performance from Aaron showing he can lead a film. (8/10)
Yvonne Strahovski: Terra a human scientist who is working on re-animating dead things for a rich man. She is in it all for the science but once she learns the truth she is reluctant to help. Bit of a disappointment in the support female role, she really doesn’t pull of scientist role very well. (3/10)
Miranda Otto: Leonore the Queen of the gargoyles who keeps Adam alive hoping he would return to save them in the war, but soon turns on him when he opens the war out for the humans to see. Simple supporting performance, not offering anything to a role. (5/10)
Bill Nighy: Naberius the prince demon who wants to use Frankenstein’s diary and monster to create a new army. Good villain performance from Nighy who gives the basic evil without exceling the position. (7/10)
Jai Courtney: Gideon the most loyal warrior of the gargoyles, who never trusts Adam but has to trust what his Queen thinks. Basic support role that offers conflict within the good guys.(6/10)
Socratis Otto: Zuriel one of Naberius’ generals who has been hunting down Adam for over 200 hundred years, he is a skill fighter and will sacrifice his soldiers to stop Adam. Good supporting performance, but never gets the full time to show the whole character. (6/10)
Director Review: Stuart Beattie – Basic directing really, never offering anything new to the genre but following some of the basics well enough. (6/10)
Action: Plenty of fights used throughout, but a lot of them in CGI. (9/10)
Fantasy: The fantasy war going on behind the humans back is good and shows how intense it has become. (9/10)
Settings: Good use of settings trying to use gothic ones to try and keep the story in the dark underworld. (8/10)
Special Effects: Standard effects as some of the CGI come off very simple during the transformation but once they are established they are fine. (7/10)
Suggestion: I think this is only one to try, it doesn’t offer anything new to the genre but has some good fight scenes. (Try It)
Best Part: The battles are good.
Worst Part: Weak supporting performances.
Action Scene Of The Film: The demon attack on the cathedral.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: It could have one, but Box Office results may stop it.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $71,154,592
Budget: $65 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes
Tagline: In the battle between good and evil, an immortal holds the key.
Overall: Dark Action Film Without Enough Bite
Rating