Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy

George Asprey
Alfred Bell
Helena Bonham Carter	Elizabeth
Richard Briers
John Cleese	Professor Waldeman
Robert De Niro	The Creature
Kenneth Branagh	Victor Frankenstein
Tom Hulce	Henry Clerval
Aidan Quinn	Ship Captain Walton
Ian Holm	Baron Frankenstein
Robert Hardy	Professor Krempe

Director	Kenneth Branagh
Producer	Francis Ford Coppola; Kenneth Branagh
Writer	Frank Darabont; Mary Shelley
Cinematography	Roger Pratt
Musician	Patrick Doyle

Let's be honest: this should be titled Wretched Excess' Frankenstein. Swooping, wild, bloody, and energetic, this is bad moviemaking from the best, which makes it all the more lovable. Kenneth Branagh plays Victor Frankenstein, a man so obsessed with conquering death that he decides to create life. What he gets, after a protoplasmic mud wrestle, is a Mean Streets monster (Robert De Niro) that isn't particularly happy to be back from the dead or thrilled about all the stitches. Helena Bonham Carter may, at several points in this film, actually be channeling Ramtha. The supporting cast couldn't be peopled with better performers (Tom Hulce, John Cleese, Ian Holm) but they all look like they're ringside at some Ultimate Fighting competition. A must for any midnight movie collector for the shock factor alone. A hoot. --Keith Simanton