REVIEW: FRANKENSTEIN

4/5

It's Alive

150 Mins. Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, Burn Gorman, Ralph Ineson, David Bradley, Charles Dance & Christoph Waltz. Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro. Director: Guillermo del Toro. On: Netflix.

Desire to divine Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein'. It's no secret that the 'Pan's Labyrinth' and 'The Shape Of Water', Academy-Award winning director, has long-harboured a yearn to reanimate Mary Shelley's 1818 classic novel into a passion project of his own. And now, rocking a boat (the Royal Danish Navy's Horisont) with Netflix, 'The Devil's Backbone' and 'Nightmare Alley' director can add his first film since his real and richer than Disney, 'Pinocchio' picture, to his cabinet of curiosities. Although it, and its 'Crimson Peak' tones, belong on the biggest, IMAX inspired, slice of silver (which it had, albeit in limited takes), and not those small smartphone streaming screens. All as this gothic science fiction drama, directed, written and produced by the Mexican maestro, becomes one of the greatest Frankenstein adaptations since the 1910 movie produced by the inventor of the lightbulb, Thomas Edison. Whether Hammer films, 'Van Helsing', or even 'Frankenweenie'.

Universal Pictures almost even added a Frankenstein movie to their abandoned Dark Universe, that unravelled after Tom Cruise's 'The Mummy' flop, set to star 'No Country For Old Men' and 'Dune's' Javier Bardem. And we still want to see that, like the amazing actor, himself, does. Yet, who better to take on Victor Frankenstein (James McAvoy came close) than the dark materials master of del Toro? The 'Hellboy' and 'Blade II' dynamic director, with sticks of dynamite, is faithful to Shelley's 'Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus' (even at one perfect shot, looking like Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus') sacred text. The perfect companion. Really showing that this epic story is all about the loneliness stirring at the hearts of men, not just repressed rage, before people start pasting it as a poster for the 'Tortured Boys Club' epidemic. This, instead, is beautifully poetic, even profound in moments at its most brutal. Because, streaming this weekend, one week after Halloween, as part of a monster mash with the 'Predator: Badlands' sequel, there's one thing you have to know. I will call this man a monster no longer.

Or maybe two things. When trick or treaters knock at your door, and you see that famous square green mask, with a bowl cut, and bolts coming out its neck, what do you think? Frankenstein, right? Right?! Wrong! That's the Creature. Victor Frankenstein is the man who made this gentle giant. But then again, maybe this is Mary's point. Because we all know who the real monster is now, don't we? Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Kenneth Branagh and Robert De Niro in 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein'. Even Sting. But now it's Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi's turn as the arrogant scientist and the devastating consequences. And the perfect pair make for a powerhouse and powder keg of a combustible combination. Telling their own tales for parts, after the prelude for the post finale wraparound to GDT's stitched together storytelling arcs. An inspired Isaac ('A Most Violent Year', 'Ex Machina', 'Moon Knight') is back to his 'Inside Llewyn Davis' best, like this modern day Pacino is one of the most underrated thespians around. Delivering dark and fantastic foreboding since the terrific trailer. But an unleashed Jacob Elordi ('Saltburn', Elvis in 'Priscilla') is a different, haunted beast altogether. Put bolts in that golden statue's neck.

Elsewhere, the glorious Mia Goth ('A Cure For Wellness', 'X') offers even more grace gravitas to this big, bold and beautiful picture. Far from just the "scream queen" title, she rebukes. On double-duty, playing both Frankenstein's late mother, and his brother's wife, this is far from a Freudian slip. This is a woman's love that influences everything a man, who misses his, goes through. The brother who art thou is played perfectly by 'All Quiet On The Western Front' breakout talent Felix Kammerer ('Eden', 'All The Light We Cannot See'), delivering the most devastating dialogue. 'The Witcher', 'Sherlock' and 'Ahsoka' actor Lars Mikkelsen also makes a killing as the Copenhagen captain. Guillermo del Toro's 'Pacific Rim' comic-relief Burn Gorman takes names as an executioner. And even Galactus himself, Ralph Ineson ('Nosferatu') shows up with that iconic voice to an incredible scene in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. But for GDT, it's the big-three of 'GOT' actors David Bradley and Charles Dance, and the iconic Christoph Waltz ('Inglourious Basterds', 'Django Unchained'), fresh off having you dying laughing at 'Only Murders In The Building', that really flip the switch. The electricity is charged. A victorious Frankenstein. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Pan's Labyrinth', 'The Shape Of Water', 'Crimson Peak'.