Frankenstein

It's no secret that talented and visionary director Del Toro has been working up the courage to complete Frankenstein, his biggest inspiration, for decades now. In interviews tailing many years he has told of his admiration for the story and it's effect upon him. Even some of his previous work has inspirations from the classic gothic novel, of course I'm referencing Blade 2 (believe it or not), where one of the reapers finally confronts his maker. And as a movie lover, nothing makes me happier than to see a director get to shoot his dream picture, especially a director who has contributed so much.

Now compared to some other reviewer's my score may seem pretty low, and let me start by saying it's going to be loved by critics and loved by award shows, and deserves the accolades it will receive, but for me personally, I respect it more than I love it.

Del Toro is a incredible director, and that's more than evident in this picture, I enjoyed the story, and his rendition of it, visually it's stunning. But, sorry to say, I'm just not a huge fan of Gothic horror, I never have been. I've tried over the years, and this movie I surprisingly enjoyed more than most, but it's something that's just not always going to be my cup of tea.

There were large portions of the movie I enjoyed, there did come a part in the movie where it headlined the title 'Part 2' which I dreaded, not because I wasn't enjoying it, but I had already felt like I watched a feature movie, yet I was only half way. It was a bit long for me. Which only felt longer because of the pacing.

On the positives, it looks great visually, set pieces are gothic but brilliant, and I loved the cast performances, especially Jacob Elordi as the The Creature. I was not familiar with this actor, but I give credit where it's due, that was a brilliant performance.

Look. If gothic horror is not your thing, still give it a chance, it can be long winded but it's a great rendition of a classic story, I'd be surprised if you hated it even if it's not your favorite genre. If you rated it higher, I'm not going to argue with you, it probably deserves it.

Don't get me wrong. The movie is beautifully done with stellar performances, great cinematography and stunning soundtrack.

I've loved Guillermo Del Toro since I was a teenager and I watched Pan's Labyrinth for the first time, and then I made it my goal to see everything he's ever directed. But I've loved Mary Shelley's Frankenstein since I was in elementary school. After I read it the first time, I kept rereading it over and over again.

My issue with this is that this is not Frankenstein. At least, not Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The story is completely changed, and I'm not sure that it is for the better. I was seeing all these reviewers rage how this is the Frankenstein we deserve and that this is as close as it gets to the actual book. The former is up for debate, but the latter is a straight up lie from someone who's obviously never read or understood the source material.

If this would've been an original story, I would've liked it way more. But seeing as it is supposed to be an adaptation of a childhood favorite of mine, it simply doesn't hold up. Definitely the biggest disappointment of the year for me, and I've been looking forward to this since last year. I was disappointed when I heard that it wasn't playing in theaters near me, but I guess it was for the best.

If you're going to watch this, I would suggest you drop all expectations of it being Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and watch it as it's own original thing.

The film succeeds best when it remains close to Mary Shelley's original such as in its storytelling approach and varying perspectives, as well as the dialogue and references that echo the novel. I wish there had been more of this. The book is rich in philosophy, psychology and tragedy.

Del Toro doesn't fail, but I think he misses the mark at those moments where he changes the story, revising the characters' awareness and motivations. Walz's Harlander is invented and unnecessary, Isaac's Frankenstein is frenzied rather than haunted. It is Jacob Elordi's monster / creature that redeems the film, in addition to its beautiful gothic style and fine pacing (the runtime is long, but suitable). Overall, a great addition to the lore and worth seeing on the big screen.

What a stunning piece of art!

This film is like an operatic symphony.

It's both beautiful and tragic. Breathtaking and challenging. This is what movies are all about. James Whale would be proud.

I saw this in Japan and because the audience is so respectful I couldn't tell if I was the only one silently weeping in the darkness.

Thank you Guillermo.

Guillermo Del Toro delivers a refreshing new take on one of the most famous horror stories of all time. Rather than crafting a typical horror film, he presents Frankenstein as an intimate and emotionally layered character study. Del Toro's deep affection for his "monsters" is once again evident - he consistently stands on their side, suggesting that the true monster is, in fact, Frankenstein himself.

The performances are strong across the board. Oscar Isaac offers a convincing, if occasionally a little over-the-top, portrayal of Frankenstein. However, he is ultimately outshined by Jacob Elordi as the Creature. It's a challenging role that could have easily been one-dimensional, but Elordi imbues it with remarkable depth, emotion, and soul - a truly fantastic performance. Christoph Waltz delivers a familiar turn, very much in line with his recent work, while Mia Goth is solid, though it remains to be seen whether she truly lives up to her "next big thing" reputation.

On a technical level, the film excels. The cinematography is stunning, the set design meticulous, and the score beautifully complements the film's emotional tone. The makeup work is exceptional, and while the costumes are impressive, they occasionally verge on being a bit too extravagant.

If there's one major flaw, it's the runtime - the film could easily have been trimmed by at least thirty minutes. Nevertheless, this is a deeply emotional and visually striking experience, and another remarkable addition to Guillermo Del Toro's already distinguished filmography.