Director: Paul McGuigan
Writer: Max Landis (Screenplay) Mary Shelley (Novel)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Jessica Brown Findlay, Bronson Webb, Daniel Mays, Spencer Wilding, Andrew Scott, Freddie Fox
Plot: Told from Igor’s perspective, we see the troubled young assistant’s dark origins, his redemptive friendship with the young medical student Viktor Von Frankenstein, and become eyewitnesses to the emergence of how Frankenstein became the man – and the legend – we know today.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Nice but Pointless Story
Story: Victor Frankenstein starts with Igor (Radcliffe) giving us the known backstory on Victor Frankenstein and how everyone remembers his monster rather than the man. Igor works as a circus where his hunchback is just part of the act as he also plays the part of doctor for the circus. When an accident involving Lorelei (Findlay) the high-wire act leaves Igor a chance to show off his skills to Victor Frankenstein (McAvoy) and a new friendship is born.
When Victor cures Igor’s hunchback we see how Inspector Turpin (Scott) a man of God is trying to track them down. Victor and Igor uses the ideas of bringing the dead back to life working on all the scientific research already gather to make it all a reality, but could they be going too far, as we deal with the morale questions behind their ideas.
Victor Frankenstein is a film I did enjoy the story because too often we see the monster Frankenstein creates instead of focusing on the Victor Frankenstein character. My big question really is do we really want to see the creation and actions on Victor only this time it is told from a the view of Igor. I don’t really know how I feel after this because it really didn’t seem to be slow as I did like looking at how the story was being done but I felt the final act was just forced to remind us what Victor eventually does. In the end we feel we have seen this already without wanting to see it again.
Actor Review
Daniel Radcliffe: Igor is our narrator as he tells his story where he starts as a nameless circus hunchback with a knowledge of science, who on a chance encounter at the circus meets Victor. Victor gives Igor a chance to show all of his potential curing his hunchback as they both enter into the morale questions about how far to go with their science. Daniel does a good job and continues to break away from his Harry Potter character.
James McAvoy: Victor Frankenstein is the scientist and doctor we all know from the books, this time he is similar and just as ambitious to achieve his reality of bringing the dead back to life. He dismisses the new life he has given to Igor so he can break all the rules of science. James seems to be very familiar in this role without bringing anything original to the character.
Jessica Brown Findlay: Lorelei is the fellow circus performer whose life Igor and Victor save, she gets out of the circus like Igor where the two start a romance which only frustrates Victor. Jessica doesn’t get enough screen time to really shine in this story.
Andrew Scott: Inspector Turpin is the religious inspector trying to find the two suspects who are going against science. He is smart enough to put together the pieces which leads him to Victor and Igor. Andrew brings us a standard inspector performance.
Support Cast: Victor Frankenstein has a supporting cast that doesn’t really add too much except stopping or helping Victor.
Director Review: Paul McGuigan – Paul gives us a good story being unfolded but doesn’t bring enough original content.
Horror: Victor Frankenstein doesn’t really get too many horror aspects in this which really disappoints.
Sci-Fi: Victor Frankenstein does give us the sci-fi side of breaking barriers in science throughout.
Settings: Victor Frankenstein recreates the settings well for the time being used.
Special Effects: Victor Frankenstein doesn’t have the strongest effects as you can see the CGI throughout.
Suggestion: Victor Frankenstein is a solid retelling of the story but is slightly disappointing for where the story could go. (Try It)
Best Part: I like the science idea.
Worst Part: The monster seems forced.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Tagline: Discover the origin of the monster and his creation.
Overall: Yet another retelling of the classic story that falls short
Rating
