Thoughts on Frankenstein

I just watched Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein on Netflix. Visually stunning movie. I have the Hue Light Sync which was an amazing way to watch this film full of color and vivid imagery. However, I need to return to read the story again as I didn’t remember some of these elements and remembered others differently. I’m sure this is creative liberty with the story, or more likely, a bad memory on my part.

If you’re looking for a visually appealing film, with some (not all) great acting, and a compelling story - check it out.

There were parts that I really enjoyed such as the tower scenes and the gruesome displays of cruelty showing Victor Frankenstein’s failures as a caring creator and instead a judgemental scientist who saw his creation as more about himself than his creation. The butchering scenes were specifically well executed in my mind to show he didn’t care about the meat, only the success. It didn’t matter how it was done, just that it was. Sounds like a few characters I’ve known (Erin, Neil, Beatrix, among so many others).

But it got me thinking of another Frankenstein retelling that I really enjoyed. This one was from years ago and it was in podcast format so you might have missed it. Fictional, the podcast, did an amazing retelling of Frankenstein over two episodes. I always enjoyed the modernization of the stories on this podcast but hadn’t listened to the podcast in a long time, and there’s new episodes there. Check them out. Don’t miss the post episode discussion about a modern Frankenstein and his creation, and what it wrought over humanity.

And on the theme of Frankenstein, I’d be neglegent if I didn’t mention Young Frankenstein which was a fun movie for my wife and I. It was what we watched the first New Years Eve night we were dating. That movie was so fun but I haven’t watched it in years. I need to revisit. Perhaps my New Years plans were just made.

I’ve never seen the short Frankenweenie, about the dog resurrected but would like to check it out. On the topic of animated Frankenstein monsters, we can’t forget Frank from Hotel Transylvania. That movie series is really cute. My son loves the first two, refuses to watch the next two on principle. I thought the third one was cute, but he didn’t go for it. I love how fun the Hotel Transylvania movies are but still deliver really good messages for both kids and parents: acceptance, families are complicated, life can happen at any moment, and be proud of who you are.

What other Frankenstein inspired films should I check out? And let’s keep it PG-13 :) Suggestions like Frankenhooker (yes, that’s a real thing) while funny b-horror, which I love, isn’t the vibe I’m looking for here.

Thanks for your recs! And let me know what you thought of any of these Frankensteins in the comments.