YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Well, I just reviewed the first ever "Frankenstein" film earlier this month, now I'm going to review the ultimate parody to "Frankenstein" called...

The grandson of Dr.Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) hates living in the shadow of his grandfather. However, his grandfather left him the will to his castle in Transylvania. Fredrick heads to the castle, finds his grandfathers lab and private library and Fredrick decides to continue his grandfather's legacy. The film is a parody on the Frankenstein horror films (Most specifically "Frankenstein", "Bride Of Frankenstein" and "Son Of Frankenstein") and is also a comic sequel to the classic story.


The characters and stars in this movie are some of the best comedic performances and funny characters that you'll ever see, epically if they're done by Mel Brooks. Gene Wilder as Fredrick Frankenstein ("That's Frahnk-en-steen") just like his roles such as Leo Bloom in "The Producers", The Wakco Kid in "Blazing Saddles" and Willy Wonka, this is one of the roles that are made for him. He's crazy, he's insane, he's over the top but he also is smart, classy and tries to keep his cool for the most part. Best Non Villainous Mad Scientist award goes to Wilder, hands down. Peter Boyle plays the Monster and he is freaking hilarious as the Monster as well as completely showing his innocent side then monstrous side. Marty Feldman as the hunchback assistant Igore (Eye-gore) is always funny, he looks and acts like the hunchback assistant cliche that we horror fans love and I just love that he's so in denial of having a hump that he doesn't even know it. Teri Garr as the love interest Inga is very beautiful, really funny and her accent is one of the most funniest accents that I've ever heard. Cloris Leachman as Frau Bleucher (Horses neighing) goes from being creepy to more insane than Wilder and she is of course funny. Madeline Kahn as Fredrick's fiance Elizabeth is so spoiled and full of herself that she still comes off as likable and who she hooks up with in the end is really clever writing. We finally have Kenneth Mars as Police Inspector Hans Wilhelm Friederich Kemp with a mechanical arm, who is both a clever parody of Police Inspector Krogh in "Son Of Frankenstein" and Dr.Strangelove.



The comedy and parody in this film can only be achieved by the brilliance of the writing and directing of Mel Brooks as well as the casting of characters epically from Gene Wilder who also wrote the film as well. It uses great word play with names, has great dialogue, funny slapstick, humorous sexual innuendos and parodies classic scenes and characters from the films. The highlights for me in this film are the bookcase, the Monsters encounter with the little girl, the Monster meeting the blind man played Gene Hackmen, Abe Normal joke, Madeline Kahn and the Monster and of course the most iconic scene in the film, the "Puttin' On The Ritz" number with Fredrick and the Monster. On top of it all, what makes the film a true parody film masterpiece is the atmosphere of the film. The film gives you a true feel of watching an old Horror classic like "Frankenstein" by filming it in Black & White, having a similar score to the old Horror classic and using similar shots and angels that the original film had.

"Young Frankenstein" is a true parody masterpiece on a horror film.

RATING 5/5