Victor Frankenstein

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I first heard about this film. I wanted to see it based solely on the cast -- the always brilliant James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, Andrew Scott (primarily known to me as Moriarty on the BBC's Sherlock series), Mark Gatiss (Mycroft on Sherlock, and also writer and actor for Doctor Who), and the inimitable Charles Dance.Life being what it is, I wasn't able to see the film when it first released, and subsequent negative reviews made me a little hesitant to see it after all, despite the excellent cast. I finally bit the bullet today and rented it from Prime, and I'm so, so happy that I did (and regret not ignoring the critics, and seeing it five years ago).This is an excellent movie, managing to take the familiar plot and turn it askew just enough to make it seem fresh, new, and interesting again. Although Daniel Radcliffe will always be Harry to me, he gives a remarkable and very sympathetic performance as Igor, who is discovered by Victor Frankenstein at the circus, and subsequently rescued from his life of misery and pain. Frankenstein takes Igor under his wing after witnessing him save the life of a trapeze artist, Lorelei, displaying medical skills he had been honing in secret. Frankenstein repairs Igor's twisted body (as it happens, he's not actually a hunchback, but had suffered from a buildup of excess fluid around his spine, which Frankenstein relieves). Igor quickly becomes Frankenstein's right-hand man, and indeed becomes a new man entirely, as Frankenstein has opened for him a world in which he never dreamed he would ever take part -- that of money, society, and respect.For me, Igor's redemption is what lies at the heart of the film, but of course it would be impossible to overlook McAvoy's towering performance as Victor Frankenstein, who is by turns brilliant, manic, depraved and captivating. The script is clever and it's an absolute pleasure to witness McAvoy deliver his lines, eyes wide and darting, with a wolfish grin that never quite leaves his expressive face (anyone who saw Split knows that this man has quickly become a master of his craft).As for the "feel" of the film, some have basically described it as Guy Ritchie's Frankenstein, and I don't entirely disagree, but I would counter that this movie has a softer edge and bit more of an empathetic angle than most Ritchie films, which makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. In addition to having characters you actually care about, Victor Frankenstein is just a really good-looking film, with sets capturing all the grit, grime and gore of the time period combined with special effects that are perfectly executed (not too garish, not too subtle -- just right). The costumes are perfect and there's plenty of action which keeps the pace humming along. I loved every minute of it.Don't make my mistake and let the negative reviews scare you away -- this is an excellent, very entertaining movie that I think everyone should see, not just Frankenstein (or McAvoy, or Radcliffe) fans. Get some snacks, some refreshing drinks, dim the lights, close the curtains and settle in with Victor Frankenstein. You won't regret it. :)

This is a film tailored to a particular audience, which may be exactly why it rubs some people the wrong way. The Steampunk gothic retelling of a traditional legend, reworked to resurrect the terror of the soulless zombie, mixed with "alternate universe" type technology, is actually well thought out. With artsy London street scenes from 1890 Edwardian London working as the backdrop, the film takes huge liberties by recasting Elizabeth into the girlfriend of Igor, then portraying complicated, toxic relationships between Henry, Victor and Baron von their dad, finally by turning the religious zealot chief of Police into a detective from Scotland Yard. The most surprising change, is how the film focuses on the Igor character, filling him with complexity, turmoil and bathos. All these threads pull together to form an original film both stylish and fun. Of course the film moves forward at all, because it compares the two creations of Victor Frankenstein. The first swipe at creation, was transforming the deformed circus clown hunchback, into Victor's friend, comrade and gifted surgeon --Igor. Igor's salvation from the pits of degradation, represents the proper use of the creative force in humanity. Naturally, the other force that Victor treats with, is the force of the chthonic, diabolical powers which wants to bring godless life to humanity. This force is technology gone mad, and turned into a power of destruction and hatred. A greedy corporation funds Victor's descent into the insane compulsion to create a hominicus, then elevating it to the status of Prometheus, who brought the gift of fire to man. Fire will consume the wicked elements in the movie, and allow the good to triumph. In that sense, the film is practically a morality tale. Would it be overstating the obvious, to see the film as a didactic, cautionary tale about applying gene therapy to IVF, of what monsters we might create if we tamper with the divine origins of the human genome? As with any good Frankenstein film, its a meditation on just that, the limits of science. Science, aka Prometheus, has handed humanity the human genome, which is fire. Will we get consumed by the flames, or use them wisely? In this film adaptation, the powers of commerce push to create the evil monster. Greed and ambition will no doubt push humanity to get burned by the fires of DNA manipulation. "We will make the monster's head flat, just because we can" says Victor as he designs the creature. Likewise, humanity will misuse genetic engineering, in their attempt to create the perfect human. Why? Greed, ambition, and just because he can.The films offers much to consider. Overall, if you know the various movie adaptations, and the book's outline, you can still find the theme of Frankenstein revealed.. It's just going to be visual symbols, not the story in the book or previous movies. As far as liberty with the Frankenstein story, this is about as far out as any Frankenstein movie I've watched since Andy Warhol's FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN, or the story as applied to the Rocky-Eddie creature from ROCKY HORROR SHOW. The rewritten legend in this new film, seems to have turned some people off. The visual retelling of this gothic classic as a Steam Punk morality tale, is a lot more enjoyable than another slavish attempt to reproduce Mary Shelley's book in whole or part. If you can't understand the Steam punk's attitude, in style or philosophy, then this film is not for you. I loved it though.

Great movie. Thanks Amazon

guter film

Great film and actor lm very happy with the seller and product

Wow.. I got in this 100rs only.. OMG never before and never again deal...I got it thanks...Now waiting this movie.. I hope this movie also available in hindi language... i updated... Soon

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