“Frankenstein” a Franken-snoozer

Guillermelo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” starring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth was a rather disappointing film, so much so I think it’s the most disappointing film I’ve seen this year.

The film follows the story of Dr. Frankenstein’s, played by Oscar Isaac, as he creates an inhumane creature called the monster, played by Jacob Elordi, as he drifts between a scared clueless sad creation to an angry revengeful creature.  

    Frankenstein wasn’t a bad movie, the cinematography was very appealing to the eye and the costume design and the practical effects were all very impressive. This film lacks in the performances and the story overall. I found myself rather bored when watching this for the first time all though everything I said previously was impressive and I enjoyed that I still couldn’t catch myself on the edge of my seat. In fact I almost fell asleep while watching. My first watch left a bitter taste in my mouth so I set to watch it once more and I still couldn’t get into it and I think that’s why it was so disappointing for me especially because I was so excited and anticipated this film once it was confirmed for filming.  

There was a lack of emotion while watching. I couldn’t feel much for any singular character while watching this film.  Dr. Frankenstein’s story line wasn’t really strong enough in the film for him to create the monster in the first place, which seems much different in the book. Oscar Isaac also didn’t really play or sell the crazy doctor part very well. For the monster story line I wish it was much more upsetting and I can say I did feel empathy for the monster while watching, the only other feeling besides boredom I felt in this film was for the monster and yet I still couldn’t get much from it. Jacob Elordi had the best performance in the film but it still didn’t do much for me. The monster is a deeply upsetting and misunderstood character, yes some parts of the film explored those ideas but I wish they did it better. Mia Goth who played Lady Elizabeth was also still a bland story line for me. I think they could have done much more for her, but all that considered, it’s still a beautifully shot film and isn’t awful, just rather very disappointing and numbing in a bad way.