Review of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein certainly isn't a terrible film, far from it. In fact, it is a very good one, with some genuinely disturbing moments. I never did like the part when the monster tears out Elizabeth's heart, or any of the two hanging scenes, they disturbed me so much. I also felt there was something missing-Kenneth Branagh assures there is plenty of character development, and attention to detail,which is much appreciated, but sadly the film is a little soulless, and its cumbersome length probably doesn't help. Despite all this, there is much to be praised. The film is well designed, with splendid period detail with a superb score from Patrick Doyle, and benefits also from being fairly faithful to the source material. Kenneth Branagh does a good job directing, and delivers a fine performance as Victor Frankenstein, and Helena Bonham Carter looks beautiful as Elizabeth. Out of the more secondary roles, Tom Hulce is good as Henri Cleval, and Richard Briers gives a believable turn in the role of Felix. The best actor though in the movie, is Robert DeNiro as the monster- while his performance was genuinely terrifying at times, there are others when you feel sorry for him. Overall, a good film, undermined by lack of depth, but the detail and the performances salvage it from sinking into disaster. 7/10 Bethany Cox.