Recxpecations: Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is making its short run in theaters before hitting Netflix in November. I do think that seeing it in a theater is better because the strength of the film is its look but, on the other hand, the film is a slow two hours and thirty minutes so being nestled up at home has its advantages.

EXPECT: A NEW TAKE ON FRANKENSTEIN
Well, I should say a new take that is closer to the original take than the 1931 movie was. del Toro’s film is closer to Mary Shelley’s novel but it seems like it still has some changes. This take also seems intent on making sure nobody leaves the theater questioning who the real monster is.

EXPECT: A GREAT LOOKING FILM
As always, Guillermo del Toro knows how to make a film look stunning. I feel like this film is a step behind some of his others because - for obvious reasons - there are a lot of CGI-laden sets. There’s just something a little less imposing or haunting about a locale when you can tell it isn’t really there. (But, obviously, creating it in real life would have been far too expensive so I can’t blame him.)

DON’T EXPECT: A MONSTER MOVIE
Nobody is going to call this movie a thrill ride. It’s more about the comings-of-age of Victor and his creation. People shouldn’t go in expecting a movie that they’ll routinely go back to for some scares around Halloween. It’s more human than horror.

This is a tough film to rank because I appreciated it - the film restored my faith in Oscar Isaac - but I didn’t really enjoy it. I felt bad for the people sitting behind me because I was moving around so much (although I blame the seats at The Egyptian Theater for some of that shifting.) For now, I ranked it at #20 for the year.