Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageMary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
In returning to Mary Shelley's novel, Kenneth Branagh presumably intended to give his version of the much-told tale authenticity and depth. But the finished film, regrettably, for all it's romantic bombast, lacks the poetry and pathos of James Whale's 1931 classic, let alone the wit of the later Bride of Frankenstein. De Niro, as the hapless creature, is dependably sympathetic, eyes expressive beneath Elephant Man-style make-up. The rest of the cast, however, are pretty dismal: chest-baring Branagh, too earnest and dashing, as the obsessive Victor; Helena Bonham Carter, an inappropriately modern miss, as the doc's beloved Elizabeth; Cleese, ever the Python, a morose medical lecturer with a murky past; Briers as a blind peasant devoted to the good life. Equally uninspired is Steph Lady and Frank Darabont's often gratingly modern script and Branagh's far from light direction. Continuity seems all over the shop. Not frightening, just silly.Author: GA
User reviews of this film
-
- devil said...
- Posted on Sep 03 2009 10:44 Film was boring lacked enthusiasam and exitment best bit was when he is makiong the creation and the end credits not the best film (boy from boro studying it aged 14
- Report as inappropriate
-
- devil said...
- Posted on Sep 03 2009 10:44 Film was boring lacked enthusiasam and exitment best bit was when he is makiong the creation and the end credits not the best film (boy from boro studying it aged 14
- Report as inappropriate
-
- angel said...
- Posted on Dec 02 2008 11:37 the film was a bit boring as well but the bst part is when the monster got hit on the head with the pole
- Report as inappropriate
-
- angel said...
- Posted on Dec 02 2008 11:33 the film was ok there is a lot of kissing
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Producer: Francis Ford Coppola, James V Hart, John Veitch
Cast: Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Hulce, John Cleese, Richard Briers, Aidan Quinn, Ian Holm, Robert Hardy, Celia Imrie, Cherie Lunghi full cast
Duration: 123 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Ang Lee talks 'Taking Woodstock'
Ang Lee talks to Tom Huddleston about his tale of the men behind history’s greatest music festival
Hippies who work for The Man
To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within
Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies
Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe
Grant Heslov: interview
Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace
From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life
Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now