Review of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) by R.j. L — 08 May 2010

The year is 1794, Captain Robert Walton and his crew are attempting to sail there ship to the top of the world and by doing so sail there way into the history books. However, unforeseen events traps Walton's ship in a block of ice and with no way out Walton must wait it out with his men. As he and his men try to break up the ice faster they hear a strange howling sound coming from the dense blizzard before them, the dogs start to stir and run in circles. Out of the blizzard a strange man emerges, Captain Walton takes him inside Walton asks him what is out there and the man tells him that it is something he created. An abomination that he brought to life to find a way to cheat death Captain Walton ask who he is and the man says his name is Victor Frankenstein. Therefore, sets forth the tragic and horrific tale of one man's obsession to find a way to cheat death and bring the dead back to life, this is the story of "Frankenstein.".

Kenneth Branagh's more faithful adaptation of Mary Shelly's classic tale of loss, love and horror is a beautiful Gothic tragedy that is reminiscent along the lines of Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and David Lynch's "The Elephant Man"(1980). This 1994 re-imagining is nothing like the beloved 1931 cult classic as the John Whale "Frankenstein" takes a more monster movie type of an approach while Kenneth Branagh's "Frankenstein" is more tragic than it is horrific making it more of a drama than a horror story. Which in turn is not what Mary Shelly had in mind when she originally wrote the story back in the 1800's it was intended to be a modern tragedy sadly, over the years her story started to degenerated into nothing more than a common monster movie. This to me is such a sad sight to see for such an amazing story however, Branagh saves her groundbreaking story from years of campy and inaccurate incarnations and brings to light the true Frankenstein. The Frankenstein that fans of the original novel(the few who have read it) and the fans of the original 1931 classic have really been waiting for the real version of Frankenstein and the true vision of Mary Shelly's tortured creature realized for the first time as he should be. Not as some flat headed, lumbering monster but as an intelligent resourceful creature with unparalleled strength and vengeance in his heart, Branagh brings to life the very basic essence of the characters from Mary Shelly's novel. While still taking some liberties of his own he crafts a dark, lurid Gothic tale of one man's quest for the secret of cheating death and his mistake that claimed everything he ever held dear.

"Mary Shelly's Frankenstein" is all atmosphere that is how this film works you over using its stark but beautiful cinematography to lure you into this fantastic and tragic world that Kenneth Branagh and his team have created a world that if Mary Shelly were alive today would have made her proud. This film is also a homage to the classic Universal monster movies of the 30's and 40's using barren but gorgeous set piece like the ones in Frankenstein manor or his laboratory which is reminiscent of the mad scientist labs in the Golden era films. It gives the film an air of nostalgia while still maintaining a modern appeal for a new generation of horror fans.

Kenneth Branagh is not a favorite of mine in fact I don't really like him at all, the man just comes off too full of himself and too much in love with making himself look good in a film instead of really focusing on everything else around him. However, here as the tormented scientist Victor Frankenstein Branagh is at the top of his game and gives a performance that I can proudly say is worthy of being called fantastic and daring. He puts not everything he has but all that is needed to play the role of the creator of the creature immersing himself in the role of this mad man hell bent on finding a way to cheat death; Branagh is not a 100% in this film he gives more of 88% to the performance. And to me that is enough to credibly and honestly say he did very well(Even at some points that is a gross understatement).Branagh delivers the performance that is needed it may not be full proof and he may lag from time to time but he stays strong throughout the film until its almost tearjerker of an ending. The rest of the cast including Ian Holm, Tom Hulce, Richard Briers, John Cleese, Robert Hardy, and Helena Bonham Carter also with Aidan Quinn and Robert DeNiro all deliver fantastic supporting performances in this faithful and shocking horror drama.

"Mary Shelly's Frankenstein" is a good film I do not know why it is not great but for what it is it is very good it brings back to mind the early days of horror before graphic violence, strong sexuality, and clichés became part of the routine for horror films of today. Its beautiful set designs and dark, gloomy atmosphere emphasizes the true nature of the story of Frankenstein's creature, the kind that Mary Shelly dreamed up when she originally wrote the novel. In addition, with Branagh's sharp direction and DeNiro's strong performance lead this film into deeper waters than John Whale's 1931 classic delivering a more thought provoking and shocking portrayal of the fabled creature that makes this version of the classic tale a literal near horror classic.