I, Frankenstein – Movie Review

Frankenstein has been one of the longest standing fictional stories of our time. Created by Mary Shelly, the story was more than just a tale of a beast on the hunt. It was a story about the quest for immortality, about man’s need to play God. Through the eyes of a monster, created by a mad scientist in the form of Dr. Frankenstein, we see what our dabbling with life eternal can bring forth. It had depth, emotion, even heart. I, Frankenstein has none of that.

Aaron Eckhart stars as Adam, the titular creation at the heart of I, Frankenstein. Created by Victor Frankenstein, Adam’s anger and pain overwhelms him, causing him to murder Victor’s wife, and bring about Victor’s demise as well. For any other take on this story, it would end here. But I, Frankenstein decides to instead venture the Underworld route.

Adam discovers that there is a war brewing between Gargoyles, the protectors of Earth, and Demons, who threaten to enslave our world. Having no capacity for emotion, Adam has zero interest in this struggle. Yet, for reasons that you must watch the film to understand, the Demons NEED Adam to complete their plans. Adam walks the Earth for over 200 years before returning to modern day and being dropped right in the middle of the battle.

Aaron Eckhart does fine with his limited role, but really brings little more than a constant look of depression. As the lead of a film like this, we need more to identify with his character than simply the ‘Because he has amazing abs and a tortured soul’ reasoning that the film gives us.

Faring better is the supporting cast. Yvonne Strahovski as Terra, the Dr. who catches Adam’s fancy, is a much needed dose of heart in the film and does what she can with the weak writing given to her. Miranda Otto as Leonore, the leader of the Gargoyle’s, is almost too talented for this film. And Bill Nighy, as Demon leader Naberius, does what Bill Nighy always does: He makes us watch his every move as he savors every line and mannerism from his character’s duplicitous nature.

The best thing that can be said about I, Frankenstein is that it looks gorgeous. Everything from the direction of Stuart Beattie to the stunning special effects, gives the film a much better canvas than this story deserves. Unfortunately, the writing is so weak that even a beautifully stunning film will suffer when there is nothing in the script to truly engage us in the audience.  And there is nothing here to truly engage us.

Succumbing to the worst possible scenario for a film like this, I, Frankenstein is a boring and poorly written attempt at establishing the infamous creature as an action icon. Though visually stunning, I, Frankenstein is the textbook definition of the term ‘Meh’.

If $10 is the full price of admission, I, Frankenstein is worth $4