THIS MOVIE CAME CLOSE to doing something very special. It almost outdid all prior versions in this nth remake. Guillermo Del Toro (director) stylized the film to bring newness to one of the oldest classics tales and films that, like the monster itself, just can’t seem to die.

He started by showing loyalty to Mary Shelly’s 1818 version where most of the movie is a backstory. Having never read the original story, I was unprepared for some aspects of the plot. I will say that I was captivated until those plot points interfered and “broke the dream” for me. I won’t say that it’s not worth watching, however – especially if you’re familiar with the original storyline. It will probably rank very high as a remake.

The film was very well made and shot to garner the greatest effect toward the somber mood. I believe that Oscar Isaac (and perhaps some costars–like Mia Goth) will get nominated for best actor. Without having seen many of the other top films, I would give him a 50-50 chance of winning it.

The thing I most like about the story of Frankenstein is that it prepares us for a future in which breakthroughs in technology spawn the elements of our demise. This is not an original idea. About 15 years ago, a movie called The Corporation used the analogy of the corporate structure as our Frankenstein’s monster. I’m sure it’s been used for the atomic bomb and for who knows what other “amazing discoveries” that might ultimately threaten our existence.

WRH