Frankenstein (2004 film)

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Frankenstein
Frankenstein (2004 film).jpg
Television release poster
GenreHorror
Based on
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein
by
  • Dean Koontz
  • Frankenstein
  • by Mary Shelley
Written byJohn Shiban
Directed byMarcus Nispel
Starring
  • Parker Posey
  • Vincent Perez
  • Thomas Kretschmann
  • Adam Goldberg
  • Ivana Miličević
  • Michael Madsen
Theme music composerAngelo Badalamenti
ComposerNormand Corbeil
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
ProducerMarcus Nispel
CinematographyDaniel Pearl
EditorJay Friedkin
Running time88 minutes
Production companies
  • Lions Gate Films
  • L.I.F.T.
  • Flame Television
DistributorLions Gate Television
Release
Original networkUSA Network
Original releaseOctober 10, 2004 (2004-10-10)

Frankenstein is a 2004 American horror television film produced and directed by Marcus Nispel and written by John Shiban. It is a loose adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and stars Parker Posey as a police detective on the trail of a serial killer, played by Thomas Kretschmann, in present-day New Orleans. The detective is aided in her search by one of the killer's creations, played by Vincent Perez. Adam Goldberg, Ivana Miličević and Michael Madsen co-star. It was produced by Lions Gate Films, and aired on the USA Network on October 10, 2004.

The film was intended as the pilot for an ongoing series, and was initially based on Dean Koontz's version of Frankenstein. USA and the producers decided that major changes must be made and Koontz had no interest in the show in its new form. He withdrew from association with it and turned to the task of realizing the original concept of the book form. Subsequently, executive producer Martin Scorsese also expressed desire to exit the series. Koontz later developed the concept into a series of five novels: Frankenstein: Prodigal Son, Frankenstein: City of Night, Frankenstein: Dead and Alive, Frankenstein: Lost Souls, and Frankenstein: The Dead Town.

Plot[]

This is not a direct adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, but a postmodern gothic reinvention set in present-day New Orleans. It recasts the doctor as the villain and the creature as a tragic hero determined to stop him; the primary action involves two police detectives (Parker Posey and Adam Goldberg) who enlist the aid of the creature ("Deucalion" in this version) to stop a serial killer who is one of Victor's later creations.

Cast[]

  • Parker Posey as Detective Carson O'Conner
  • Vincent Perez as Deucalion
  • Thomas Kretschmann as Dr. Victor Helios
  • Adam Goldberg as Detective Michael Sloane
  • Ivana Miličević as Erika Helios
  • Michael Madsen as Detective Harker
  • Deborah Duke as Angelique
  • Ann Mahoney as Jenna
  • Deneen Tyler as Kathleen Burke
  • Brett Rice as Detective Frye
  • Stocker Fontelieu as Patrick

Reception[]

Sloan Freer of Radio Times gave the film two stars and said "though the ultra-stylised visuals create an air of brooding menace, they can't compensate for the patchy plotting or the abrupt and hugely unsatisfying finale."[1] Brian Lowry of Variety praised the look saying "Even working on a made-for-TV budget, Nispel provides plenty of striking imagery, giving the film a truly distinctive look" and added "while the climax is somewhat disappointing, the brisk story until then leaves ample room to speculate as to where a series would go with Helios’ creations roaming the Earth."[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Freer, Sloane. "Frankenstein". Radio Times. Retrieved 2017-11-22.
  2. ^ Lowry, Brian (2004-10-07). "Frankenstein". Variety. Retrieved 2017-11-22.

External links[]

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