I,Franenstein, Hollywood English Film movie review, Johnson Thomas, Rating: * * 1/2
English Film Review
Johnson Thomas
Lush but boring Gothic fantasy
Film: I, Frankenstein
Director:
Stuart
Beattie
Rating: * * ½
Mary Shelley’s literary creation comes in for yet
another cinematic revamp, this time titled ‘I, Frankenstein,’ a film that
appears to have been styled much like the ‘Underworld’ series - which promises
much but delivers precious little. The
choice of Aaron Eckhart sits well- as the titular character, an undead immortal creature
of horror lore, a character that seems
just a shade greyer than the one he so successfully portrayed (Gotham City
District Attorney Harvey Dent who is eventually disfigured) in Christopher Nolan’s
‘The Dark Knight.’
Shelley’s creation has survived through countless
large and small screen incarnations but none so pitifully woebegone as in this
film. But that is not because the leading man was unfit but despite the fact
that Aaron Eckhart lends credence and ripped muscle to the legend. The battle
is drawn out between vampires , werewolves, demons and gargoyles and
Frankenstein appears to flit around like
a pawn.
The
intro, with narration from the monster Frankenstein(Aaron Eckhart) showcases
him as all tormented, he took a life for
a life, he's alienated and doesn't trust anybody. Adam as he is
initially introduced as, is strictly on a diet and looks impressive enough to
turn both male and female heads. Naberius’ chief scientist, comely
electrophysicist Terra (Yvonne Strahovski) is assigned by her boss with
the task of figuring out how to reanimate life. She soon forms an alliance with Adam and
eventually becomes the reason for his immortality. The film ends with Adam
astride a massive Gothic cathedral, promising (in voiceover) to dedicate
himself to fighting the demons that threaten to obliterate mankind. That’s of
course a clear signal that I, Frankenstein, is reaching for a franchise.
I, Frankenstein, is clearly not much different
from dark superhero flicks but it has the added ambition of trying to generate
a fan following from scratch. The script from Director Stuart Beattie and
Underworld scribe Kevin Grevioux has silly, unwittingly funny dialogue and combined with fight-to-the-ashes CGI
aided battles, appears a little too far-fetched and clearly unimaginative. The film has crusty looking, dark, architecturally
enhanced cinematography but the performances are so dismally unaffecting that the
characters remain mere card-board cut-outs even onscreen. The severity and lack
of humor makes the entire experience boring and un-enchanting!
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