I, Frankenstein: Action Film or a Tribute to Mary Shelley’s Classic?

Frankenstein: More Than Just a Monster Movie – It's a Literary and Cinematic Legacy

Frankenstein. The name brings to mind a green, bolt-necked monster. Popular culture has embraced Mary Shelley's creation. Yet, there is much more to this story. The novel and its adaptations offer a wealth of depth.

The name "Frankenstein" is often misused. True fans understand that Frankenstein is the *doctor*, Victor Frankenstein. He is the ambitious scientist who dared to play God. The creature? He is called "the creature," "fiend," or "monster" in the book. No catchy nicknames like "Franky" in the original.

Before diving into Shelley's genius, let’s look at a modern take on Frankenstein: I, Frankenstein.

I, Frankenstein (The Movie): Action Over Substance?

If you seek a deep exploration of life and creation, I, Frankenstein on Rotten Tomatoes isn’t for you. Critics weren’t enthusiastic. Box office performance was lackluster too. But is it the *worst* Frankenstein film? Probably not. There are worse titles out there in the genre, especially older ones with lower budgets.

The plot? It reimagines Frankenstein's monster as a superhero fighting demons. This idea is predictable for action films, and you might not be surprised. It includes gargoyles, demons, and a monster skilled in combat. Essentially, it throws Frankenstein into a supernatural action blender.

The movie features interesting visuals. Filming began at Docklands Studios Melbourne in February 2012 and lasted ten weeks in Victoria, Australia. Ormond College served as a filming location for scenes. If Australian architecture and gothic settings interest you, this film delivers.

In the movie, after battling demons, the monster is rescued by gargoyles and taken to a cathedral. This isn’t just any cathedral; it’s the gargoyle queen Leonore's headquarters. So, the basic premise involves Frankenstein’s monster caught in a supernatural conflict. Is it worth viewing? Perhaps on a rainy Sunday with low expectations.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: The Original and Still the Best?

Let’s go back in time to the core of the Frankenstein story: Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Published in 1818, Shelley was just 20 years old. She began writing it at 18. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792. Quite an intellectual pedigree.

Story and Themes: Life, Death, and Responsibility

At its heart, Frankenstein is Victor Frankenstein's tale of hubris and his monstrous creation. Yet, it transcends a simple monster narrative. Shelley delves into profound themes of life, death, and man versus nature. Familial responsibility stands out as a key theme in Victor's case, reflecting his utter lack thereof.

Consider this: Victor is the creature's father. He *created* him, bringing him to life. What does Victor do? He is repulsed by his creation and abandons him. This abandonment triggers much tragedy that follows. Victor had a duty to nurture his creation, to guide him. His failure leads to his ultimate ruin and warns about ethical obligations tied to ambition. Gale offers a detailed analysis of Frankenstein's themes and motifs for deeper exploration.

Familial Responsibility: The Heart of the Matter

Familial responsibility isn’t just *a* theme in Frankenstein; it’s *the* theme. It drives the plot and moral dilemmas. What do we owe to those we bring into the world or create metaphorically? Shelley makes us confront these tough questions head-on.

Movie Accuracy: Branagh and De Niro Get it (Mostly) Right

Over the years, Frankenstein has seen more than 60 film adaptations! But how many capture Shelley's essence? This article on the best Frankenstein movies can guide your viewing choices.

Some adaptations stray from the source material (to say the least). Kenneth Branagh's 1994 Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is acclaimed for its faithfulness. Robert De Niro played the creature in this version. His portrayal is considered one of cinema's most accurate depictions of the character. De Niro successfully captures the creature's intelligence, pain, and descent into despair. If you want a movie closely aligned with Shelley's text, Branagh's version is a solid pick.

Frankenstein's Monster: More Than Just a Scary Face

Let’s discuss the monster himself. Forget about green skin and bolts (unless watching a classic Universal film). In Shelley's novel, the creature has translucent yellow skin, black hair, watery eyes, and prominent white teeth. Still not winning beauty contests but more nuanced than typical portrayals.

Remember, he isn’t just mindless. The creature is intelligent, articulate, and deeply渴望 for connection and acceptance. He learns to speak, read, and understand emotions. He finds solace in De Lacey cottage, nestled in Germany. Here, he secretly observes human life and learns from the compassionate De Lacey family.

Frankenstein's Monster as a Metaphor: Science and Society

Shelley’s monster serves as metaphor. He represents scientific progress without social accountability. Victor pursues glory while neglecting ethical implications of his actions. The monster symbolizes consequences when ambition exceeds morality.

The creature embodies the fallout of Victor's pride and disregard for consequences. Victor sought to create life without contemplating what would come next. The monster represents that neglected "after."

Motivation for Evil: Rejection and Abandonment

Why does Frankenstein's monster become "evil"? He isn’t born bad; he is shaped by rejection and abandonment from his first moments of life. Victor’s horror and consequent desertion drive him to pain and revenge.

The monster’s appearance impacts his isolation significantly. He looks repulsive to most humans, preventing integration into society. This ceaseless rejection and Victor’s abandonment fuel his anger towards Victor, intent on making him suffer as he has.

This cycle of creation and rejection spurs monstrous actions driven by despair. Recall when the creature burns down the De Lacey cottage? That moment signifies his heartbreak after being rejected by the De Laceys despite his goodwill. In rage and despair, he destroys their home, marking his descent into vengeful actions targeting Victor for his suffering.

Victor Frankenstein: The Real Monster?

Now, let us examine Victor Frankenstein. Is he merely a brilliant scientist or something darker? His greatest mistake lies in his ignorance of creation’s needs.

Victor brings his creation to life but runs away from it. He creates life and feels terror. He fails to take responsibility for it. This leads to his downfall. His negligence destroys what he loves. In essence, he dooms himself and his loved ones.

Victor’s flaw is hubris. He is ambitious. He dares to tamper with forces he does not understand. He violates natural laws and tries to usurp God's authority. This is a cautionary tale about unchecked ambition's dangers.

Victor is a fictional character from Switzerland. He has a girlfriend named Elizabeth Lavenza. Spoiler alert: she does not have a happy ending.

The Moral of the Story: Lessons from Frankenstein

What can we take from Frankenstein? Shelley's novel has many morals. One main lesson warns that not all scientific discoveries are good. Progress without ethics can harm society. Familial responsibility matters. We owe each other care, especially to those we create.

The novel explores unchecked ambition. Victor pursues scientific glory and ignores consequences. This leads to tragedy. It reminds us that ambition needs responsibility and foresight.

Controversy and Playing God

Victor Frankenstein plays God. He creates life, which leads to chaos in his life. His act of creation is a violation of natural order.

Debate exists about whether Victor or the creation holds more blame. Is it wrong to create life, or is neglect the real sin? Shelley leaves this question open. This adds to the novel's complexity.

Inspiration and Real-World Connections

Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein after a challenge to create a horror story. This came from a friendly competition with friends. It was quite a motivating prompt.

Germany's Frankenstein Castle may have inspired Shelley. It overlooks Darmstadt in the Odenwald region. Its gothic atmosphere matches her novel's tone. This connects to Frankenstein's fictional world.

Why Frankenstein Endures: A Literary Masterpiece

Frankenstein is more than just a good book; it's a literary masterpiece. It tackles themes of ambition, responsibility, and the consequences of playing God. Victor's tragic story raises questions about morality. It examines societal rejection and the essence of humanity. This all unfolds in a Gothic horror setting that still resonates today.

Banning of Frankenstein: Superstition and Strangeness

Some films based on Frankenstein faced censorship. One movie was banned in China. It was labeled a "superstitious film" due to its strangeness. The idea of reanimating corpses was too much for the censors.

Mary Shelley: Beyond Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s life was dramatic, just like her fiction. She married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Despite five pregnancies, only one child, Percy Florence, survived to adulthood. Her life included literary brilliance and personal tragedy. It mirrors the story of Frankenstein itself.