Victor Frankenstein
(12A) 110mins
“THE world remembers the monster, not the man” announces Igor as he introduces this re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic horror tale.
Unfortunately, — just like the monster in question — the latest offering from director Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin) is a bit of a lumbering mess.
James McAvoy plays Victor Frankenstein, an unorthodox medical student who meets his new friend Igor (Daniel Radcliffe) in the circus where he’s working as a clown — which involves getting beaten up for entertainment.
During one performance, a trapeze artist called Lorelei (Jessica Brown Findlay) takes a tumble, leaving Frankenstein and the hunchbacked Igor to save her life.
Did I mention Igor also happens to be a highly skilled physician as well as a circus clown? Well he is.
Seeing how wasted this man’s talents are in the big top, Victor rescues Igor and invites him to work as his assistant in his lab — and together they set about creating life after death.
None of this goes down particularly well with the nosey Inspector Turpin (Sherlock’s Andrew Scott) who is determined to put a stop to Frankenstein’s ungodly work. Writer Max Landis (Chronicle) has chosen to ignore the traditional horror roots of the novel and has instead created a camp, comic book fairytale-style romp which simply doesn’t suit the story.
McAvoy is clearly having fun as he dials the overacting up to 11 — screeching, spitting, roaring and contorting his way through virtually every scene.
Frankenstein “curing” Igor’s hump is probably the movie’s best moment. Radcliffe is equally enjoyable as Igor, though little attention has been paid to the relationship between him and Lorelei. She is the woman he’s supposed to be in love with, so it leaves Brown Findlay woefully underused and her part of the story pretty lifeless. Considering the film is told from Igor’s perspective, this seems an odd choice.
Subverting the story could have paid off, but Victor Frankenstein has ended up confused, uneven and at times almost lurching into an unfunny spoof.
Despite the talent involved, no amount of science and bolts of lightening can breathe life into this misjudged movie.
It’s a shame but the real monster here is what ended up on screen.
SUN RATING: TWO STARS OUT OF FIVE
—Ex-covert operative Liam Neeson must draw upon his particular set of skills when framed for the murder of his ex-wife in Taken 3. Friday at 8pm on Sky Movies Premiere.
Krampus
(1
5) 98mins
ADAM SCOTT and Toni Collette have their family Christmas ruined when a terrifying mythical creature shows up to punish those who’ve forgotten the true meaning of the silly season.
When Max (Emjay Anthony) tears up his letter to Father Christmas after being bullied by his cousins, he unwittingly summons a particularly bad Santa in the form of Krampus.
This is the legendary Yuletide demon, who knows when you’ve been good or bad, so . . . you know the rest . . .
What follows is a battle for survival against rogue toys, creepy clowns and evil gingerbread men.
Krampus manages to work as both a comedy and a horror – something not achieved which such success in a festive film since Gremlins.
Other comparisons to Joe Dante’s Eighties movie classic are bound to be made – a family tormented by giggling, sadistic demon-like creatures is what made that film so memorable.
This follows much the same path and the performances by the kids, particularly Max’s cousins, are great. They’re so awful you sort of end up rooting for the monsters.
Shocks and jumps come thick and fast, but rather than relying on cheap thrills, Krampus embraces its silliness and takes the audience on a hugely entertaining ride.
SUN RATING: FOUR STARS OUT OF FIVE
Christmas With The Coopers
(12A) 107mins
CHRISTMAS doesn’t quite go to plan when four generations of the same family get together.
Long-time married couple Charlotte and Sam (Diane Keaton and John Goodman) are about to separate, but want one last family Christmas.
Charlotte’s wayward sister Emma (Marisa Tomei) has been arrested for shoplifting and their father (Alan Arkin) is infatuated with young waitress Amanda Seyfried. To make matters worse, their daughter Eleanor (Olivia Wilde) is about to turn up with her fake boyfriend.
Despite solid performances all round, this isn’t as good as the sum of its parts – it’s a series of cleverly constructed sketches, culminating in a final act that never quite delivers the pay-off.
Sure it’s schmaltz – that is kind of expected in a film like this – but if it’s a feel-good festive comedy drama you’re after, you could do a lot worse.
Also, Steve Martin is the narrator, so Happy Christmas.
SUN RATING: THREE STARS OUT OF FIVE
Sunset Song
(15) 135mins
By GRANT ROLLINGS
THERE are petticoats, pipes and pain aplenty in this Scottish period melodrama.
Model-turned-actress Agyness Deyn is farmer’s daughter Chris, who first has to endure a cruel father, with actor Peter Mullan playing to miserable type.
Then she marries Ewan Tavendale (Kevin Guthrie), only for him to be sent away to fight in World War One.
Guthrie, who previously played a soldier in Sunshine On Leith, clearly likes wearing the uniform and singing.
Director Terence Davies plots the story a bit too much, like a soap opera.
And he forgets the crucial mechanics behind what he is setting out to do – that in order for the sun to set, there first needs to be some light among the gloom.
SUN RATING: TWO STARS OUT OF FIVE
The Night Before
(15) 101mins
By GRANT ROLLINGS
THE message of this Christmas movie is that you need to evolve as you grow older.
Sadly, Seth Rogen didn’t get that memo and is still trying to out-gross Pineapple Express. I loved that film but the whole “I’m a druggie saying inappropriate things and getting into ridiculous mishaps” act is wearing a little thin seven years on.
It’s hard to know what is most OTT, his character calling his future child a “c***” or being obscene in church. The humour works best when he slows to the more composed pace of co-stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie.
There are plenty of other gifts, though, including Michael “intensity” Shannon – and Miley Cyrus sending herself up. Like your old Christmas jumper, Rogen is feeling a little worn.
SUN RATING: THREE STARS OUT OF FIVE