Frankenstein

 It’s a week before Halloween so I think now is a good time to write a review on the horror film Frankenstein. Frankenstein is about a Mad Scientist named Doctor Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) and he and his Hunchback assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye) create a creature (Boris Karloff) that has accidentally gone wrong. The Monster escapes from his master and starts terrorizing a village. Now the film doesn't follow the book but then again it's a movie, a complete different media.


The acting in the film I think gives the film it’s suspense like how crazy Doctor Henry Frankenstein acts when he sees his creature come to life, or how eager he is to create life. His hunchback assistant Fritz has the same about of energy as the Doctor and being played by the same guy who played Dracula's slave is really great casting. However, I do wonder why he hates the monster so much since he...oh I don't know HELPED CREATE IT! Boris Karloff’s performance as the monster I thought really brought the film to life, there were scenes where I found him freighting like when he first see him enter or terrorize and murder people, there were a few scenes that shows a gentle and confusing side of the monster like the part where he meets a little girl named Maria and a side where you feel pity for him, like the scenes with him and Fritz. His facial expression really makes him look a lot like a monster especially the make-up they used on him. The only performances I didn't care as much as the others was Edward Van Sloan as Dr. Waldman, who gives by no means a bad performance, but it does feel like he's playing his character Van Helsing all over again. The other performance I didn't like goes to Mae Clarke as Elizabeth because I found her acting a bit bland and annoying, though the scene with her and the monster is a terrifying moment.

 
  The special effects, cinematography and set designs were good like in the lab scene where he comes to life, The Windmill climax, the cemetery scene or when the monster is being chased by an angry mob in the hills. Some of the special effects however, can look a little cheesy like the part where he throws his master off the windmill; you can obviously tell it’s a dummy but keep in mind this film was made in 1931 while filming techniques and special effects were just beginning to be developed. I also love the sound effects for most of the film, especially the lab scene with the noise of electricity and the thunder and lighting.

While the film has its flaws and slow moments it's still a film that sticks with you. The key scenes, the set designs, cinematography and the acting not only sticks with you but is the reason why this film is a horror classic. In fact for the time, it scared audiences so much that the censors had to cut a few scenes. It's an iconic horror classic that won't be forgotten.


RATING 5/5

and one more thing, FRANKENSTEIN IS NOT THE NAME OF THE MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!