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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

1994

Kenneth Branagh

Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Hulce ...

6.2

17,291

Horror. Fantasy In this adaptation of the classic Mary Shelley tale, Kenneth Branagh stars as Victor Frankenstein, a man possessed by a mission to create life but painfully unaware of the consequences of his actions. He succeeds in his quest to create a man, but his creature (Robert De Niro) is both revolting and tragically aware of the effect he has on others. His creation escapes, and Frankenstein eventually gives him up for dead. The creature, ... [+]

	Author	Review
United States	Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times	"I admired the scenes with De Niro so much I'm tempted to give "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" a favorable verdict. But it's a near miss (...) Rating: ★★½ (out of 4)"	NEU
United States	Janet Maslin The New York Times	"Despite the chivalry of its title, 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein' will not strike anyone as chiefly Mary Shelley's invention"	NEG
United Kingdom	Angie Errigo Empire	"Sumptuous to look at, with some decent performances but Branagh's attempt at this gothic horror just doesnt hold together convincingly and fails to engage.(...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	NEU
United States	Brian Lowry Variety	"Branagh seems to overreach himself, playing every aspect at an almost operatic level that’s too feverish for its own good."	NEG
United States	R.L. Shaffer IGN	"Despite the editing flaws, and the weaker aspects of Branagh's performance and direction, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of the better adaptations of the original, nearly 200-year-old story"	POS
United States	Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times	"They’re calling it 'Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,' but, with apologies to the former rock group, 'Frankie Goes to Hollywood' is more like it."	NEG
United Kingdom	Time Out	"Not frightening, just silly"	NEG
United States	Rocco T. Thompson Slant	"A film as misshapen and compelling as its central creature, 'Mary Shelleys Frankenstein' is a beautiful monstrosity in 4K."	POS
United States	Desson Thomson The Washington Post	"Unfortunately, Branagh and screenwriters Steph Lady and Frank Darabont have created a story as badly patched together as De Niro’s Creature."	NEG
United States	James Berardinelli ReelViews	"Something more substantial than Hollywood's typical, fitfully entertaining fluff."	NEU
United States	Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune	"Branagh's version is too respectful and ultimately, well, lifeless."	NEG

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