Frankenstein (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

Marcus Nispel

Writers:

Dean R. Koontz (concept)
John Shiban (written by)

Release Date:

10 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Someone new is playing God.

Plot:

Two hundred years after Mary Shelley's novel the brilliant but mad Doctor (Thomas Kretschmann) has sustained...

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | Electrocution | Death | Frankenstein's Monster | Drowning

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Parker Posey	...	Detective Carson O'Conner
Vincent Perez	...	Deucalion
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Victor Helios
Adam Goldberg	...	Detective Michael Sloane
Ivana Milicevic	...	Erika Helios
Michael Madsen	...	Detective Harker
Deborah Duke	...	Angelique
Ann Mahoney	...	Jenna (as Ann Mahoney Kadar)
Deneen Tyler	...	Kathleen Burke
Brett Rice	...	Detective Frye
Stocker Fontelieu	...	Patrick
Maureen Brennan	...	Vickey
Billy Louviere	...	Jack Rogers
Will Schierhorn	...	Anthony O'Connor
Tom Nowicki	...	Watkins

Runtime:

USA:88 min | Argentina:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 | Argentina:16 | Singapore:M18 | Finland:K-15

Filming Locations:

Joy Theatre - 1200 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company:

Flame TV

Trivia:

The concept for this telefilm was originally developed by Dean R. Koontz and collaborator Kevin Anderson, and intended as a television series. When USA Networks joined the project as production company and distributor, Koontz signed on as screenwriter and executive producer. Martin Scorsese also signed on as executive producer, and a cast (most of whom were in the final product) was assembled. Following creative disputes between USA and Koontz, both Koontz and Scorsese left the project (Scorsese was later convinced to return). Koontz and Anderson later developed the concept into a series of novels (as "Dean Koontz' Frankenstein"), but Koontz allowed USA to use the names of his characters as long as they altered the plot and removed his name from all consideration.

Quotes:

Deucalion: I'm not the monster anymore. I'm your best hope.

Another one of those 'sequels' to Mary Shelley's novel.

Over the years many film-makers had provided new movies with new stories inspired on the famous Mary Shelley novel. They often are about the son of Frankenstein or his great-great-great-son or anything else of the sort but they all have in common that they have a mad doctor who is trying to create a new monster. This movie is a Frankenstein movie set in the modern age, which by default already is a very bad idea.

The Frankenstein-creature is a classic character. Putting him in this modern day and age already takes away much of his class and heart.

This movie basically of course doesn't have a lot to do with the famous Mary Shelley novel or any other previous Frankenstein movie. Yet it of course chooses to carry the name "Frankenstein", while it really isn't deserving to. The movie is more a one that concentrates on the police detective work to hunt down 'doctor Frankenstein', in this movie known as Victor Helios, played by Thomas Kretschmann and his creature(s). It isn't really about the creature trying to be good, though there are certainly still some parallels with the Mary Shelley novel. The good old doctor and the creature are more evil villainous ones, for movie purposes, which in my opinion just was a bad choice. They try to make the creature look sympathetic but the creature just remains too much a mysterious one for it to really work out.

I liked the movie its cast with actors such as Parker Posey, Thomas Kretschmann, Adam Goldberg and Michael Madsen involved. The only deserved a better concept and script to work with.

No, it's not like this movie is horrible and it's definitely a watchable one but it's just that the story mostly remains uninteresting and really isn't an involving one to watch, while previous, much better Frankenstein movies, obviously were. The movie is lacking a heart and a good true main character you get to care for. Watching this is an enjoyable yet also very shallow experience. Oh well, at least it all isn't as bad and tiresome as the 2004 TV mini-series, with the same name.

The movie had a good look and atmosphere. No wonder, since it had director Marcus Nispel at the helm, who is an expert in the genre. He did the "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and is currently working on the "Friday the 13th". So when is he going to do an original horror movie on his own? He seriously needs to start looking for new and original scripts, if he truly wants to become a respected and acclaimed director. He certainly has the talent for it to become one I think. So far none of his movies has been based on original material.

And for those wondering why this movie its ending is so abrupt and feels so incomplete; This movie was supposed to be a pilot for a TV-series. Doubtful that this will ever still turn into a TV-series, since it's now 4 years later already and still no word on it.

OK so it's watchable but it's not really a movie I would just recommend.

6/10