Frankenstein (2025)
Frankenstein is part of the legendary Guillermo del Toro’s deal with Netflix which also spawned his Pinocchio take in 2022. I didn’t watch Pinocchio because it’s a musical, but I am softening to singy-dancy-cinema so probably should. I’ll admit The Shape of Water I had to go back to appreciate, but appreciate it I did in the end. Pan’s Labyrinth is an all time classic, obviously, and one I want to rewatch and review.
Nightmare Alley was excellent but while that was based on a 1947 film I haven’t seen, the tale of Frankenstein and his monster has been told, told and retold. My favourite being Kenneth Brannagh’s 1994 version, but who doesn't love Mel Brooks’ “sophisticated man about town”.
Frankenstein stars Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the sexy sexy corpse creation, Christopher Waltz in a semi superfluous part and Mia Goth in (subtly) two roles, while Charles Dance does the disapproving parent act he will be enduringly remembered by Game of Thrones fans for. Dance’s pissed off parent is basically the blueprint for Victor’s own issues. Well, that and y’know, he’s reanimated pieces of dead bodies and it’s a crime against morality.
Brannagh’s focusses much more on the theme of loss and grief, and this one is about parenting, and the 1994 version also feels based more in reality (given you’ve already surrendered to the idea that pieces of the dead can be reanimated). The emotions are real and its approach is, while less gory, more brutal and affecting. Netflix Frankie, less believie, and that’s after hanging believie.
That being said, playing to my base instincts, some of the gore in Guillermo’s Frankenstein is fun and well done. Creepy. Where the film really lets itself down, is its reliance on sub par CGI. In places it’s genuinely awful. I can accept a monster that’s just a model with some lines drawn on him and Braveheart warpaint, I even tolerated his imperviousness to any kind of logical death or injury, but I cannot and will not get over poorly animated animals.
Wolves, mice, deer all rendered in 3D by a very skilled team, no doubt, but which had nothing natural about them, particularly their movement. I used to work in such teams so believe me when I say this, somebody knew it was crap; and by somebody, I mean everybody. Corners were cut here and whether that’s simply budget (Netflix maybe) or because they knew the film would mostly be watched on televisions (Netflix definitely) it stank and is really unacceptable for someone of del Toro’s talent to be having to settle for.
Fake fire is also incredibly obvious and annoying but I get that burning actual living people for films is a bit too much of a risk. Plus filmmakers are learning how to adjust to it.
Maybe time will tell but I reckon 30 years is enough to say the old one was better. Harder to see though. Much like the monster, imperfect. Wish del Toro would make an original again.
My gripes about effects won’t mean a pot of piss to many people, so let’s assume I didn’t have any for the sake of argument. Guillermo del Toro’s film is fun with some neat ideas, and darker in palette but not tone than my favourite Frankenstein. It is certainly not a waste of your time and I’m sure many people will love it; I enjoyed it. 6/10
A MONSTER CALLS
MONSTER
MARY SHELLLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN
PENNY DREADFUL
TALE OF TALES
Comments
Post a Comment