Victor Frankenstein (2015)
Usually, besides Mel Brooks’s version, I shy away from Frankenstein pictures because they’re too scary. I’m very much a lightweight when it comes to Halloween, but the 2015 Victor Frankenstein is a favorite of mine. I saw it in the theaters, and I make a point to watch it every October. It does have a couple of scary scenes, but the bulk of the story doesn’t involve the Monster. Instead, it’s a very interesting take on Dr. Frankenstein himself: eccentric, brilliant, passionate, daring, and slightly devious. James McAvoy is fantastic in the role, and with his intense energy, I wonder why he’s not one of the brightest stars in Hollywood. Am I the only one waiting with bated breath for the Scottish actor to star in a David Niven biopic? (No offense meant; I know he makes lots of movies, but he’s not a household name.)
The household name in the film is Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Igor. The hunchbacked sidekick isn’t one-dimensional; he has an intriguing backstory and great motivation to further the story. He starts off as a circus performer, and when James rescues him, they make a daring escape back to his laboratory. James does him a great service (no spoilers here) and Daniel feels indebted to him. They form a friendship and soon get to work on the regeneration of dead tissue.
If you liked the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies, you’ll love this one. It has the same type of directing style, with very exciting action sequences punctuated by “speed up, then slow down” camera effects that give you a front row seat. The lead character is Holmes-ish, with his know-it-all humor and flippant confidence. You’ll also get to see lovely attention to detail of the time period, and some gorgeous costumes – including a fun ballroom scene! Believe it or not, there is a love interest in this story. But which handsome fellow does she fall for?
This movie was one of the reasons why Jessica Brown Findlay quit Downton Abbey; she thought her movie career would blossom. Unfortunately, this movie wasn’t that much of a hit; horror fans complained it was too tame. But when you’re focusing on three-dimensional characters and a novel storyline, gratuitous horror just isn’t necessary. Blood and guts wouldn’t feel at home in this movie. It has too much class for all that. If you missed this one, rent it next Halloween. It’s very impressive.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Throughout the movie, there are some “speed up, then slow down” camera effects that are often combined with swirling, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
More Daniel Radcliffe movies here!
The household name in the film is Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Igor. The hunchbacked sidekick isn’t one-dimensional; he has an intriguing backstory and great motivation to further the story. He starts off as a circus performer, and when James rescues him, they make a daring escape back to his laboratory. James does him a great service (no spoilers here) and Daniel feels indebted to him. They form a friendship and soon get to work on the regeneration of dead tissue.
If you liked the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movies, you’ll love this one. It has the same type of directing style, with very exciting action sequences punctuated by “speed up, then slow down” camera effects that give you a front row seat. The lead character is Holmes-ish, with his know-it-all humor and flippant confidence. You’ll also get to see lovely attention to detail of the time period, and some gorgeous costumes – including a fun ballroom scene! Believe it or not, there is a love interest in this story. But which handsome fellow does she fall for?
This movie was one of the reasons why Jessica Brown Findlay quit Downton Abbey; she thought her movie career would blossom. Unfortunately, this movie wasn’t that much of a hit; horror fans complained it was too tame. But when you’re focusing on three-dimensional characters and a novel storyline, gratuitous horror just isn’t necessary. Blood and guts wouldn’t feel at home in this movie. It has too much class for all that. If you missed this one, rent it next Halloween. It’s very impressive.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Throughout the movie, there are some “speed up, then slow down” camera effects that are often combined with swirling, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
More Daniel Radcliffe movies here!