Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Full Screen Edition)

Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi

Robert De Niro	The Creature
Kenneth Branagh	Victor Frankenstein
Tom Hulce	Henry Clerval
Helena Bonham Carter	Elizabeth
Aidan Quinn	Captain Robert Walton
Ian Holm	Baron Frankenstein
Richard Briers	Grandfather
John Cleese	Professor Waldman
Robert Hardy	Professor Krempe
Cherie Lunghi	Victor's Mother

Director	Kenneth Branagh
Producer	Francis Ford Coppola; John Veitch
Writer	Mary Shelley; Steph Lady

Let's be honest: this should be titled Wretched Excess' Frankenstein. Swooping, wild, bloody, and energetic, this is bad moviemaking from the best, which makes it all the more lovable. Kenneth Branagh plays Victor Frankenstein, a man so obsessed with conquering death that he decides to create life. What he gets, after a protoplasmic mud wrestle, is a Mean Streets monster (Robert De Niro) that isn't particularly happy to be back from the dead or thrilled about all the stitches. Helena Bonham Carter may, at several points in this film, actually be channeling Ramtha. The supporting cast couldn't be peopled with better performers (Tom Hulce, John Cleese, Ian Holm) but they all look like they're ringside at some Ultimate Fighting competition. A must for any midnight movie collector for the shock factor alone. A hoot. --Keith Simanton