I, Frankenstein

Since it was first published in 1818, Mary Shelley's classic novel has seen many screen incarnations but few as ridiculous as Stuart Beattie's convoluted concept of using the monster as a pawn in the perennial battle between good and evil (here featuring gargoyles and demons). Beginning with the monster (Aaron Eckhart) burying his creator, the story catapults forward to the present-day, where—wandering the world alone and pursued by (literal) demons—he's dubbed “Adam” and offered shelter in a massive, medieval Gothic cathedral by gargoyle queen Leonore (Miranda Otto), who recognizes him as a fellow outsider, noting, “Humans think of us as mere decoration.” What the fiery-eyed demons covet is the book that Adam carries with him: Dr. Victor Frankenstein's handwritten journal, detailing exactly how to create life. Their leader, the nefarious Prince Naberius (Bill Nighy), has been collecting an army of soulless human corpses which he plans to re-animate in order to obliterate mankind. Towards that end, he has created an impressive high-tech laboratory run by attractive electrophysicist Terra (Yvonne Strahovski). Not surprisingly, she eventually allies with Adam, who skulks around in the shadows. Humorlessly adapted by Beattie from a graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux, I, Frankenstein is full of expository dialogue, choppily-edited fights, an invasive musical score, and CGI-enhanced transformations. Aside from his glowering, grimacing and growling, Eckhart obviously spent endless hours at the gym to achieve his admirably ripped physique, but poor Mary Shelley must be spinning in her grave. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries (the first with co-writer/director Stuart Beattie; the second with producers Gary Lucchesi and Richard Wright, visual effects supervisor James McQuaide, and executive producer and graphic novelist Kevin Grevioux), production segments on “Frankenstein's Creatures” (14 min.) and “Creating a Monster” (13 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus 3D, DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a miserable retelling of Shelley's classic horror story.] (S. Granger)