Retro Film Review: Frankenstein (1992)

For some literary scholars, Frankenstein, 1818 novel by Mary Shelley, happens to be the very first piece of literature within the realms of science fiction genre. However, most of the movie adaptations of the novel are associated more with the genre of horror, thanks to James Whale's 1931 version, unsurpassed until this very day. The other adaptations, although some of them good, paled in comparison. It wasn't much different in 1990s, which was rather bad decade for movies dealing with Frankenstein monster. After disappointing Frankenstein Unbound in 1990, we got equally disappointing Kenneth Branagh's version in 1994. Turner Pictures, for its part, tried to cash in on the renaissance of classic horrors, inspired by Coppola's version of Dracula. Result is rather forgettable and equally disappointing television production, despite being more faithful to the novel than most of other versions.

Movie begins when Swiss medical scholar dr. Victor Frankenstein (played by Patrick Bergin) develops a method to artificially create human being out of dead matter. The result of his experiment is a disfigured by physically superior monster (played by Randy Quaid). Creature escapes to countryside only to find that the humanity hates it. Angry at his maker, the monster kills his bride Elisabeth. Dr. Frankenstein is now determined to track down and kill monster, but soon he realises that he had developed a psychic link with it.

The screenplay by director David Wickes employs somewhat new (or unused) elements of the plot - materialisation instead of patching up body parts and psychic link. However, those elements aren't enough to drive off unpleasant effect of deja vu for many viewers. And Wickes' unispiring directing doesn't help at all. Actors are also disinterested and Randy Quaid as monster is quite unconvincing. The result is failed film that looks like a cheap exploitation of great literary and movie classics.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on June 6th 1999)

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