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With remake after sequel after reboot coming out of Hollywood at the moment, any film that attempts to retell a classic story has got to give us a reason for doing so. Paul McGuigan’s “Victor Frankenstein” is of course based on Mary Shelly’s renowned story “Frankenstein”, and while the film boasts fun cinematography and colourful performances, it never quite does enough to distinguish itself as a significant retelling.
Although named after the scientist, the film opens on Daniel Radcliffe’s nameless circus clown, who has an aptitude for biology. When student doctor Victor Frankenstein (James McAvoy) discovers the clown’s genius medical skills, he rescues him from his oppressed life in the circus, gives him shelter and clothing and appoints him his assistant.
Thus the clown becomes Igor and the two men begin their work to “create life out of death”. Soon, a wealthy med-student gets wind of their research, giving Frankenstein the money he needs to create the famous human-like monster.
While McGuigan and writer Max Landis put their own spin on the story, “Victor Frankenstein” hovers somewhere between a re-imagining, a prequel and an origin story, never really establishing a strong sense of direction. We move between Igor’s personal journey and Victor’s scientific obsession, and in the end the renowned monster we all know serves as not much more than a catalyst.
Perhaps that’s where the film goes wrong – it never pays enough homage to the original tale. This is a film about the relationship between the two men more than it is about the monster at the route of the original tale. And that, in itself, is not a bad thing, but the filmmakers try to tell both stories at the same time and the result is that neither spark enough inspiration to justify the “Frankenstein” remake.
Own it or rent it on Digital now. Get it here on iTunes. Available on Blu-ray™ & DVD May 25.
