Calum Gilchrist
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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
3 Jan
I will admit that I’ve never seen the original Hammer Frankenstein, but I really do intend to at some point. Neither have I read the book by Mary Shelley which, again is high up on my To-Do list.
Of course I do know a lot about Frankenstein and his monster as it has been parodied and spoken about by so many people in so many different films and programs, that almost everyone knows the basic details of the story. One parody of note is the brilliant Young Frankenstein, directed by Mel brooks and starring Gene Wilder.
I enjoyed the film as it showed a side to Frankenstein I had never seen before, his family life and how came to figure out how to create the monster. To be honest the film has only made me want to read the book even more. The cast was actually really good which surprised me; Robert Deniro as the monster, Helena Bonam Carter as Dr. Frankenstein’s Wife to-be and John Cleese is in a minor role.
I love all of these actors and it was not the cast that I expected to see in this film.
The film itself had an interesting plot but a few of the key scenes seemed a bit over the top and one scene where Helena Bonam Carter’s heart is ripped from her chest was a bit over the top and was rather disgusting. There were quite a few moments of disgust in the film which is new for me as normally nothing really phases me in that way.
I have my gripes with the film but I quite enjoyed it and thought it was pretty interesting.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein - 3/5*
*I rate out of 5 with halves e.g 2.5/5. 5 being good, of course.
