Director Leigh Scott’s Frankenstein Reborn is a bloody modern retelling of the classic story that has enough gore and scares in it to make it worthy of the legendary horror monster.
Scott’s version of the story features a driven neurosurgeon named Victor Frank (played by Rhett Giles) who is determined to use nano-technology to reanimate dead flesh. This determination leads to destruction as Frank murders his patient, and brings to life a monster.
The movie, which is a straight to DVD release from Asylum Home Entertainment, actually begins after Frank has been locked up in a mental institution under suspicion of a series of gruesome murders that were actually committed by the “good” doctor’s creature.
Through a series of flashbacks, Frank tells the story of how he brought his monster to life, but also reveals to the audience that he is just as evil as his creation.
Frank is not trying to succeed in this field of medicine to help mankind, but to bring himself glory and fortune. He also doesn’t think twice about skipping any ethical codes, including murder and blackmail that would hinder his progress.
Giles is extremely great in this role, and seems truly evil as he tells his story. The actor’s performance helps transform the Dr. Frankenstein role, which is normally a man driven mad for good reasons, to someone who is worse than the evil he creates.
Scott’s filming adds to the suspense of the movie through his use of flashbacks to reveal the story slowly. He also makes sure that there is enough gore and blood being spilt on film to live up to some of the great Frankenstein movies that have come before his version – such as the classic Hammer Films.
Frank’s creation is truly a monster
The creature, played by Joel Hebner, is equally great looking, and disturbing. His face is really haunting and takes some getting used to at first. Scott doesn’t try to make his monster look like past versions, but instead like it was created by a man who really didn’t care about the creature’s appearance.
This lack of caring adds to illustrating that Frank is evil and only looking out for himself. He doesn’t care if the creature is morbid looking, but instead is only concerned that he is successful in the reanimation of dead flesh. This again shows that Scott’s version of the doctor isn’t out to help mankind, but is more interested in fame and fortune.<!--page-->
Giles plays Frank as evil as his creature
As in other versions of Frankenstein films, there is some level of sympathy for the creature, and what has happened to it. Those feelings are brushed aside quickly by the amount brutal murders the monster commits – including ripping the legs off a woman and ripping the heart out of another (Frank’s “love” Elizabeth).This creature is not some lost lamb, but a cold killer driven insane by Frank’s reanimation process. As the film ends, and the body count rises, you are left still questioning which character was more evil – the monster or the man that created it.
There are a few problems in the film, but they don’t ruin the movie or distract from what is happening on screen. The biggest problem is when the sound fades occasionally -which has occurred in previous Asylum pictures.
There are also a few holes in Scott’s script, but not to the point that make you want to cut the movie off before it is finished.
The DVD comes with deleted scenes and bloopers, a behind the scenes featurette, and commentary from the filmmaker.
If you are a fan of bloody horror films or the Frankenstein story, I highly recommend this movie. It has the perfect blend of psychological horror and gore to keep you watching from start to finish.
The monster kills without remorse or second thought
Scott’s vision of the story updates the classic story to a modern setting, but maintains the elements that have made the tale of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster a cornerstone of the horror genre.
Frankenstein Reborn is available for pre-order at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the film’s database for more information.
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