Who Is Victor Frankenstein's Monster?

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Everyone knows the story of Frankenstein’s monster. Most kindergarteners could probably recite it by heart and there has been no shortage of movies or television shows who have taken their swipe at the infamous legend, each trying to offer their own spin on Mary Shelly’s classic monster tale. So how does a new movie take a fresh approach to the well-worn source material? Do you spin it from Victor Frankenstein’s perspective? There have been plenty of tales told about the monster’s mad maker. But what about Igor, Dr. Frankenstein’s oft ignored assistant, who helped his brilliant master construct one of the greatest monster’s in pop culture history. And that’s how Victor Frankenstein tackles the two hundred year old monster story.

Freed from …show more content…

Then add Scotland Yard Inspector Turpin (Andrew Scott), who develops an obsession of his own when he vows to catch Frankenstein and end his “conspiracy with Satan.” Toss in a wealthy yet ethically bankrupt benefactor with highly dubious motives and an unhealthy interest in Frankenstein’s work and Igor’s days get pretty …show more content…

His Igor grows in confidence and courage as the film progresses, but often remains a slave to his loyalty for Frankenstein. Still, you can’t help feeling Radcliffe could bring a little more backbone (pardon the pun) to the role. Jessica Brown-Findlay is decent as Loralei; though she has precious little to work with as the object of Igor’s affection seems little more than a prop, eye candy to ignite friction between the two leads. Andrew Scott offers the movie’s second best performance portraying the scientific duo’s eventual law enforcement foil Inspector Turpin. Turpin doesn’t get a whole lot of time for character growth, but the deeply religious constable’s belief that Frankenstein is evil and his pious need to take him down nearly rivals Frankenstein’s own obsession about his work. The scene where the two men’s ideologies clash is one of the movie’s best and a perfect examination of stubborn superstition meeting arrogant reason. It’s a shame director Paul McGuigan couldn’t find more screen time for Turpin to intelligently explore the relationship of polar opposition he and Frankenstein share.

Don’t think Victor Frankenstein is perfect but it’s a lot better then some fare we’ve recently seen in most genres. A six out of ten, if you will. Frankenstein doesn’t take itself too seriously and McGuigan keeps the pace moving smoothly for most of the film (though there are

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