I, Frankenstein

Did you know that there are 200 titles with the name “Frankenstein” in them? I am not joking.  Here is the link if you don’t believe me - http://www.imdb.com/find?q=frankenstein&s=tt&ref_=fn_al_tt_mr.  I can tell you I expected 15-20 of them but 200!!! That’s a whole lot.

Nevertheless, according to director Stuart Beattie and multi-faceted creator Kevin Grevioux (Raze in the Underworld series), this version is not just about the piecing together of the monster. It begins with the premise – as did Mary Shelly’s – somewhere in the late 18^th century when Victor Frankenstein brings alive a bunch of dead body parts but “it” turns into a monster.

This time around, the monster is played by someone who we associate with anything but a monster – even if you consider Harvey Two Face because that role never really came to life did it? Aaron Eckhart is a brilliant actor by any barometer and one would be compelled to ask, “why the desperation to do that something different”. As such he lands up being quite pedestrian – put this in his list of below par performances.

I, Frankenstein is based on the Graphic Novel by Grevioux.  200 years back, the monster is forced into hiding because of a bunch of demons after it.  What they want to do with it is a mystery.  But when the demons catch up after 2 centuries, it says decides to take the fight to them.  Oh I didn’t mention that it was saved by a bunch of gargoyles the first time around? Gargoyles and demons are sworn enemies.

The Queen Gargoyle, Leonore (Miranda Otto) decides that the monster needs a name and calls “him” Adam.  She knows that setting the monster free may – make that WILL - cause a whole lot of trouble.  Now, trouble is back and the gargoyles have to intervene so that Naberius (Bill Nighy), the demon prince can be finally be sent back down to where he belongs.

I, Frankenstein is kept alive thanks to some wonderful graphics.  In a movie like this, casting would not have made a difference anyways.  Talent like Eckhart and Nighy are totally wasted.  Nighy apparently shot his scenes in 1 day.  Of course the screen time wasn’t too much but 1 day is truly a reflection of the man’s talent.  Unfortunately, his mannerism makes you laugh more than creating fear.

At the end of it all, I, Frankenstein has little to offer.  It is a below par action attempted horror flick with great effects.  Something like an Underworld or Resident Evil only much less scary.  Watch it if you have nothing better to do.  Unfortunately, the small screen will not do it any justice.  5 on 10 at best. Actually make that 4 on 10.

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3415517209/?ref_=tt_ov_vi