I, FRANKENSTEIN

Australia, 2013, 91 minutes, Colour.
Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahowski, Miranda Otto, Jai Courtney, Bruce Spence, Nicolas Bell, Aden Young.
Directed by Stuart Beattie.

In the final credits of this reworking of the Frankenstein Monster story, there is a thanks to Mary Shelley. It is not certain that Mary Shelley would appreciate this expression of gratitude because, while the film does use some of the elements of her classic story, it moves into the 21st century and futuristic science-fantasy.

Aaron Eckhart is, perhaps, the best looking of the cinema Frankenstein Monsters. He says he was made from eight different corpses, and he looks remarkably integrated with a very limited number of scars, especially on his face. He is an intense Monster, speaking out his animosity towards his maker, revenging himself by killing Frankenstein’s wife, Elizabeth, with the scientist pursuing the Monster to the north, eventually freezing to death and being buried by the Monster, while finding his manuscript detailing his experiments.

Attacked by a range of Demons, the Monster finds himself in the 21st century – filmed in Melbourne, utilising some of its landmarks, a tram and tram stop at the top of Bourke Street or Collins Street, a notice, Central Station, on the Arts Centre, something that the locals have found amusing but which other audiences will not notice. It is a strange city, full of decaying edifices, cathedrals and Gothic buildings for the race of Gargoyles, and then suddenly seeing some modern cars and rubbish skips in the streets. Since it is all based on a graphic novel, these imaginings we have to accept.

While the story is serious, there are touches of the absurd, even of the ludicrous, in some of the dialogue and performances. Yvonne Strahowski is the human scientist, along with Nicolas Bell, working on a re-animation program at the behest of alleged entrepreneur, Wessex, who is really the arch Demon, Naberius. He Is played in familiar manner by Bill Nighy, indicating moods and attitudes simply by raising an eyebrow or giving a sideways glance. Also in the cast is Miranda Otto as the Queen of the Gargoyles and Jai Courtney as her henchman.

The colour is dark, the city is sinister, the laboratories modern. There is a reliance on special effects, especially for the explosions of the Demons and the battles with the Gargoyles.

Written and directed by cinematographer, Stuart Beattie, who directed Tomorrow When the War Began.
A variation on the theme, but certainly not the last word or image on the Frankenstein myth legend.

1. An interesting Frankenstein story? Credit thanks to Mary Shelley? But, rather the 21st century graphic novel? The use of the past story, bringing it into the present, perspectives for the future?

2. The use of the old story, the Monster’s experience, enmity towards Frankenstein, the murder of Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s pursuit of the Monster to the north, dying in the cold, the Monster burying him, the book?

3. For the future, the Demons, using the Frankenstein experiments to reanimate an army, the Gargoyles, the destruction of the human race?

4. The visual style, 3-D, the dark city, the buildings, the streets, atmosphere of decay – yet streets with some cars and rubbish skips? The ruins? The interiors? The contrast with the tram and the people, the lights at Central Station? Melbourne of the imagination? Design? Photography? Stunts, effects? The musical score?

5. The audience response to the Monster, Aaron Eckhart and his appearance, not so grim as traditional Monsters? His vengeance?

6. The attack of the Demons, their being destroyed in fire, the Gargoyles, their flying, all taking human form? The capture of the Monster?

7. The Gargoyles, the Queen, her reliance on Gideon? Her abode, the trappings of royalty? Gideon wanting to kill the Monster? The Queen giving him the name, Adam? Supporting him? Wary? The Gargoyles and their own scientist watching the Demons and their experiments?

8. Wessex, modern dress, suits and ties? The laboratories? Terra and Carl, their work, the range of Demons in attendance, all in suits? The Demons using humans?

9. Adam, the confrontation with Wessex, Terra, the importance of the book, the description of the experiments? The Monster’s escape?

10. Terra and her lodgings, squalid, sewing his wounds? The attack of the Demons?

11. The plans, Terra and her warning Carl, Central Station, being captured? Carl being killed and the experiment of re-animation?

12. The confrontation between Adam and Gideon, the fight, Gideon destroyed?

13. The racks of bodies, ready for reanimation? The Gargoyles scientist and his monitoring the situation? Terra and her working on the re-animation?

14. Terra reading the book, the Monster reading the book, destroying it?

15. The return to the Gargoyles? The Gargoyles flying and fighting the Demons?

16. The confrontation with Wessex, his demonic presence, his ambitions, to rule the world, death?

17. The final battles, destruction? With the Monster on the roof, looking to the future, the son of his father, I, Frankenstein?