Customer Reviews

Frankenstein

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The first thing you need to know about this particular "Frankenstein" is that it the pilot for an aborted USA Network series based on concepts and characters by Dean Koontz. However, Koontz and USA apparently came to a parting of the waysd with two significant results: Koontz's name disappeared from the USA project and the author wrote a series of novels with Kevin J. Anderson, the first of which, "Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book One: Prodigal Son," appears to cover a lot of the same ground (but I have not read it and therefore can not speak to specific differences). This may well be enough information to forestall Koontz's fans from watching this pilot movie and proceeding directly to the novels. But I like pilots and tend to watch as many as I can because I find them intrinsically interesting.

The premise of this "Frankenstein" is basically that Mary Shelley got most of the story right and changed some names. In the novel Frankenstein brings his creation to life and then abandons him, with the latter being his greater sin for which he and his family must pay. In this pilot the doctor is now named Victor Helios (Thomas Krestchmann), the filthy rich owner of a biotech company in New Orleans. Helios has found ways of keeping himself alive for several centuries and has been continuing his experiments with an eye towards replacing flawed humanity with his master race spawned in his company's vats. Helios even gets to program his creations as he desires and has just come up with a new version of his wife, Erika (Ivana Milicevic). A good question here is whether "Frankenstein" still applied to the doctor, as in the novel, or to his creation, as in pop culture, but it does not matter because both are here.

The first creation is now called Deucalion (Vincent Perez), and while the name comes from classical mythology it is not, as you might suspect, one associated with Prometheus. As you will recall, Prometheus created the first humans in Greek mythology and the subtitle of Shelley's novel was "The Modern Prometheus." Decaulion, on the other hand, is the Greek counterpart to Noah, who survives the great flood with his wife Pyrrha and repopulates the world. However, to the extent that he is the first human to have a name in mythology, Decaulion has that in common with Adam as well. Since Helios (the name of the god of the sun, son of Hyperion) is the villain, that allows Decaulion to be the heroic figure. This is necessary because there are a whole bunch of Helios creations running around and one of them appears to be a serial killer.

Working on the case are Detective Carson O'Conner (Parker Posey) and her partner Detective Michael Sloane (Adam Goldberg), and once Carson and Decaulion start running into each other on a regular basis you are going to have to make a point of reminding yourself this is "Frankenstein" and not "Beauty and the Beast" (the Vincent and Catharine one on television and not the Disney musical one that was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar). This is key because that gives you a better sense of the dynamic of this would-be series than having watched all of the Universal films regarding Frankenstein. Also involved in the case and its developments is Detective Harker, and since he is played by Michael Madsen you know this is not a good sign. There is more to the serial killer than meets the eyes, and we find out some interesting things about these creations that would have implications for the series that this pilot never got off the ground.

As much as I like Posey as an actress with strong Independent credibility and Goldberg as comic relief in just about everything he does, they really seem too young to be detectives. I also have some questions as to how Helios can create enough of his creatures to keep up with the birth rate in New Orleans let along the state of Louisiana, the former states of the Confederacy, the United States, North American, the Western Hemisphere and eventually the entire world, because I tried doing the math and I do not see it working out that way. The script by John Shiban, who worked as both a writer and a producer on "The X-Files," certainly sets up sufficient premises for an on-going series, but I do not know if it is a good thing when I find myself more interested in the relationship between Helios and Erika than the one between Decaulion and Catherine, er, I mean Carson.

The reason I ended up rounding up on this one in the end is because I liked the look of the film, not just in terms of Leslie Keel's art direction, but also the efforts of director Marcus Nispel. His updated version of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" creeped me out, which is a pretty good accomplishment given more of the jetsam and flotsam out there in the world of contemporary horror films. Take into account that he is doing this for television (albeit cable) and not a theatrical film and the results are pretty impressive. There is a great look to the film and Nispel is again working with cinematographer Daniel Pearl to come up with some interesting shots, so if you do not think that style over substance is an inherently bad thing that would be another reason to give this "Frankenstein" a try (and if you really want the substance the Koontz-Anderson novels are out there waiting for you).

First suggestion: read the book which Dean Koontz and Kevin Anderson wrote after they parted ways with the USA Network. Then this failed tv pilot will have a little more credence. It's unusual translation of the much used plot is unique in its conception, and I hope that someone might take it upon themselves to continue, as the book series is quite entertaining thus far. Parker Posey is good as Detective Carson O'Connor, but Adam Goldberg is miscast as her wisecracking sidekick. Thomas Krestchmann (so good in a small but pivotal role in THE PIANIST) doesn't quite have the megalomaniac frenzy that's in the novels, but he does an admirable job. Michael Madsen is more subdued than usual in his role as Detective Jonathan Harker (irony with a name taken from fellow gothic thriller DRACULA). Vincent Perez makes an interesting Deucalion, but he's not used in the movie very much so far. The lighting and direction are sharp, and the music appropriate. I don't know if we'll see anymore in this adaptation, so don't be surprised at the open ending.

Ok, First the movie stares Parkery Posey! (LOVE HER) and second it is shot in New Orleans (LOVE IT!) So how could it be too bad? It's not! Based on Dean Koontz characters this is an entertaining film. My advice is buy the books so you will really understand what is going on. I, for one, will be glad when the sequal is released so I can complete my collection.

I didn't know that this was a Koontz-based scrapped pilot until I read the last review - which makes it even more disappointing. If this movie doesn't put you to sleep, nothing will. This has all the "drama" angles of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with hardly any action and then as the movie builds to it's peak THE CREDITS ROLL!!!! STAY AWAY, folks. I am a Dean Koontz fan and I'm thinking he had very little to do with this. Parker Posey was the only enjoyable thing about the movie, but people looking at "the monster" and talking about him being in a freak show when he just had a little scar on his face - come on, I've seen worse at the swimming pool. This is an hour and a half of your life you will never get back. Frankenstein Unbound was a B movie, but was much better than this.

I was kind of upset that Dean Koontz's name did not appear anywhere on this film. The book was one of the better ones I have read and for the film makers to basically quote word for word from the book without even a mention to Koontz is ridiculous. They also took out what I thought was one of the best story lines with the other serial killer Roy. I thought that added a good little side story. Also, Victor Helios and his creatures were not really explained all that much in the movie. Randall Six did not appear, and the scenes with Erica weren't that clear. I don't know, I hope there won't be another movie to tarnish this series of great novels.

This one is a mixed bag; it was intended to be a television pilot -- something we didn't know when we rented it, but figured out pretty quickly. The writing is pretty good, but the cast is what really makes this one: Vincent Perez as the original monster, Thomas Krestchmann as the deranged scientist, Ivana Milicevic as his resurrected wife; and a crew of law enforcement including Parker Posey, Adam Goldberg, and Michael Madsen.

Think the old TV show "Beauty and the Beast" more than "Van Helsing." This was directed by the guy who did The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and produced by Martin Scorsese, so you know it's got style for miles. But when I learned that this was loosely based on a book by Dean Koontz, Frankenstein lost a little of its charm -- which isn't fair, I know. I loved ol' Dean when I was a teenager, but I haven't been able to take his books for years. Maybe I owe him another visit, I don't know.

For all its flaws (pacing, mostly -- and a tendency to fixate on the wrong details), I really enjoyed this aborted TV show and regretted the fact that it never found a home. But then I found out that it would have aired on the USA network, and I don't have cable anyway.
Ah, well.

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie. I have always enjoyed Frankenstein's monster. He probably is my favorite classic horror icon. I have seen a lot of different Frankenstein films; some of them are cheesy, but fun. I also have watched different versions of Mary Shelly's book and I enjoy them all, some more than others. This film's plot takes a kind of continuation of Shelly's novel with some name changes.

First of all it is extremely drawn out. The plot just drags on with very little action or real character development. The monster is very basic looking. He has very little scaring, and is not very big or intimidating. He is just a basic 6-foot man with semi long hair wearing a hood. Doctor Victor Helios is an interesting character; basically he has been keeping himself alive for the couple of centuries trying to replace humanity with a superior race. The monster is his first prototype from the eighteenth century who is trying to stop Helios. The whole idea of this film is pretty original, but it just was portrayed in a very slow and boring way.

I just had a very hard time making through the movie. Finally the film just ends and the viewer is left with too many unanswered questions. What was keeping me from giving this film 1 star rating is other reviewers of the movie stated it was a pilot for a television show that was going to air on USA network but never did and fell through. Finding that piece of information helps me understand why the film just ends without any real closure. Also the cinematography is done well for a made-for-TV-movie. But this film just does not stand well on it's own. The idea was in the right place but it just did not work right at all.

WARNING: possible spoilers ahead...

Marcus Nispel clearly shows himself to be a talented filmmaker with this film. His Frankenstein has all the style of his Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. Without a doubt, the man knows how to shoot a movie. However, despite the striking visuals, this movie winds up feeling a little vacuous. In a way, the movie itself mimics the creature of its title, being the somewhat half-formed, brainless and empty creation of a brilliant but misguided mind. In this case, Marcus Frankenstein started with good intentions and constructed a beautifully shot film, but neglected to put the brain into his creation. This version of Frankenstein suffers because it teeters on the brink of being unique and distinctive, but never really commits. Perhaps it's because it was made for television, and it's clearly been made with a strong PG aesthetic in mind.

This story is not as much of a straightforward adaptation as a revisionist's version of Mary Shelley's novel. Frankenstein himself is much more like the Terell character in Blade Runner. He's an egotistical, megalomaniacal genius named Helios. Even with its departure from the standard Frankenstein story, this version feels much more in line with the tone and intention of Shelley's novel than most of the past cinematic versions of Frankenstein. Even keeping the tone intact, the story operates on a completely different engine, acting like a version of Seven, with Parker Posey playing the detective who is hunting down one of Frankenstein's psychotic creations.

While I'm on the subject, I need to vent momentarily. Parker Posey really is one of the worst actresses around. I used to like her when she was the quirky girl in movies like Best in Show. But her ridiculous vampire queen in Blade: Trinity and her laughable portrayal of a shotgun-toting detective in this movie have made me lose all respect for her. But not even Parker's silly acting can completely ruin this movie. Although it does feel a little thin at points, this is still an interesting and somewhat new approach to an old myth, beautifully shot and edited by Marcus Nispel... who may be a modern day Frankenstein.

This was a pilot that went bust. I still enjoy it and recommend due to the fact that the cast alone is worth watching. Most of them do not do TV let alone a horror pilot. It is the modern day take on Frankenstein, I have read that Dean Koontz started it all,but I've also read that He was approached by the original author of the pilot to help by writing a novelization to sell the series. I do not know which is true but it adds to the mystery of the movie. Martin Scorcese also was involved as excutive producer.
The movie moves at a good clip and the set up for the shows premise is promising. There is a series of books by Dean Koontz which procced from the pilot and first novel. I enjoy them and rewatch the movie every time i read one. I am sorry the show never came to tv. The Pre Katerina New Orleans was used and they found remarkable places to use which adds a great deal to the atmosphere. I recommend this to any Frankestein buffs I believe you will enjoy it. At this price it is a bargain of entertainment.

Save your money, read the book. The movie tried to follow the book but it was so disjointed it made no sense.