Igor

Clearly inspired by the baroque animated gothic films of Tim Burton, filmmaker Anthony Leondis' Igor abounds in derivative gags, endless pop-culture references, and vocal “cameos” by a star-studded cast of supporting players. The title character is a clever hunchback (voiced by John Cusack) who aspires to be a mad scientist rather than just a lackey for one. Igor creates a Frankenstein-like female, Eva (Molly Shannon), who has a sweet deposition and a yen to perform Broadway show tunes. But Dr. Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard), who up to this point seemed the odds-on favorite to win the local Mad Scientists' Fair, sees stiff competition in Igor and devises a scheme to sabotage the latter's efforts. Steve Buscemi generates a few laughs as the hunchback's wisecracking rabbit sidekick, but for the most part the so-so animated Igor fails to impress. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Tony Leondis, writer Chris McKenna, and producer Max Howard, an alternate opening scene (3 min.), concept art galleries, and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an unexceptional animated film.] (E. Hulse)