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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

Started by claws, October 24, 2011, 06:17:57 AM

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claws



I wouldn't classify this as a typical bad movie. It has great production values and a great cast of talented actors. However, the unintentional funny lies within the story telling. It is very emotional overall and the movie is build on these factors: happy and sad/dramatic.
When they are happy they are on crack. It's over-the-top frolicking with running, dancing, shouting, spinning and laughing.
When they are being sad/dramatic you pretty much get the same except they are not smiling. They run, they shout, they roll on the ground, they stare and they cry.
First thing I noticed is there doesn't seem to be any middle ground. They cut directly from a happy scene to a sad/dramatic scene and so on. It's like a 12 hours mini series edited to two hours displaying emotional highlights.

Other than that you get Robert de Niro as the philosophizing creature body slamming villagers or wrestling nude with a bare chested Kenneth Branagh while both are soaking wet. Be warned indeed  :wink:

Worth checking out.

The Burgomaster

I remember seeing it in the theater and enjoying parts of it.  But I kept seeing nothing but "DeNiro in make-up" and that ruined the willing suspension of disbelief aspect for me.
"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."

akiratubo

People in this movie also have no indoor voices.  Almost every line of dialogue is shouted, or at least spoken as if the actors are projecting to the back row.  It seems to me that Branaugh forgot he was directing a movie and handled the project like a stage play.
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Mr. DS

I was ok with this version because it kept more closely to the source material.  Particularly the monster's struggle to learn what its like to be human only to get shutdown by society.   

But yes all the criticism in this thread thus far is well warranted.   
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Jack

I think I made it about halfway through that and turned it off.  Just couldn't get into it at all. 
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Chainsawmidget

I think they could have used a slightly better design for the monster.  Once the stitches start to heal, he really doesn't look too bad. Otherwise, I liked it. 

I consider it a shame they never followed this up with a Bram Stoker's Dracula vs Mary Shelly's Frankenstein movie.

akiratubo

Quote from: Chainsaw midget on October 24, 2011, 09:50:24 PM
I think they could have used a slightly better design for the monster.  Once the stitches start to heal, he really doesn't look too bad. Otherwise, I liked it. 

I consider it a shame they never followed this up with a Bram Stoker's Dracula vs Mary Shelly's Frankenstein movie.

Over-the-top Gary Oldman vs. over-the-top Robert DeNiro.
Kneel before Dr. Hell, the ruler of this world!

Flick James

Quote from: akiratubo on October 24, 2011, 10:43:40 AM
People in this movie also have no indoor voices.  Almost every line of dialogue is shouted, or at least spoken as if the actors are projecting to the back row.  It seems to me that Branaugh forgot he was directing a movie and handled the project like a stage play.

But that's how they talked back then.

:wink:
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Chainsawmidget

QuoteOver-the-top Gary Oldman vs. over-the-top Robert DeNiro.
You know you'd love it. 

akiratubo

Quote from: Chainsaw midget on October 26, 2011, 12:44:40 PM
QuoteOver-the-top Gary Oldman vs. over-the-top Robert DeNiro.
You know you'd love it. 

OTT DeNiro is all right but Gary Oldman with his limiters turned off is a taste I've never managed to acquire.
Kneel before Dr. Hell, the ruler of this world!