Well-filmed adaptation of May Shelley's novella, with Kenneth Branagh's trademark broad cinematic strokes, vital camera motions and visual flair.
A lot of people didn't appreciate it for what it was - not a campy horror film like previous versions of the book, but a pretty faithful adaptation of it, full of grand philosophizing and romantic idealism.
Robert De Niro is the troubled Creature, and Branagh is the obsessed Dr. Frankenstein who is eventually reviled by his blasphemous creation. Frankly, I didn't understand why Dr. Frankenstein would so quickly turn against the usefulness of the daring scientific method that allows him to achieve a scientific breakthrough of Promoethean propoetions. Part of the problem is that Branagh makes the doctors who object to creating a new life seem like old fuddy-duddies - you can't help but sympathize with Frankenstein's goals. So why Frankenstein tries to wipe out the Creature, rather than fixing its defects, is unclear.
The film is feverish and florid, with more heart than head, but largely succeeds in bringing an engaging visual excitement to the story.
A lot of people didn't appreciate it for what it was - not a campy horror film like previous versions of the book, but a pretty faithful adaptation of it, full of grand philosophizing and romantic idealism.
Robert De Niro is the troubled Creature, and Branagh is the obsessed Dr. Frankenstein who is eventually reviled by his blasphemous creation. Frankly, I didn't understand why Dr. Frankenstein would so quickly turn against the usefulness of the daring scientific method that allows him to achieve a scientific breakthrough of Promoethean propoetions. Part of the problem is that Branagh makes the doctors who object to creating a new life seem like old fuddy-duddies - you can't help but sympathize with Frankenstein's goals. So why Frankenstein tries to wipe out the Creature, rather than fixing its defects, is unclear.
The film is feverish and florid, with more heart than head, but largely succeeds in bringing an engaging visual excitement to the story.