Film review: Victor Frankenstein (7 out of 10)

So making another was rather a bold move. Victor Frankenstein is a worthy effort, though. The angle is that the story is told through the eyes of Igor, a circus clown and ‘hunchback’, who remarkably is something of a prodigy. Bullied and reviled by most of his fellow performers, he seems to have gained an amazing knowledge of the physical form. After an accident to his trapeze artist friend Lorelei he meets up with and is helped to escape by enthusiastic scientist Victor Frankenstein, and the two embark on a project to restore life. Another change from the normal plot is that we have a very religious policeman, Inspector Turpin, intent on discovering what Frankenstein is up to. However, this is really a film about the relationship between Igor and Victor. Daniel Radcliffe plays the former circus performer with James McAvoy getting the scientist role. They certainly seem to work off each other well and we see a good development of character, with Igor gaining in confidence and Frankenstein losing the plot. Andrew Scott is an excellent actor and his role as the inspector perhaps could have been given more depth. In fact a number of the other characters would have benefited from more screen time. Jessica Brown Findlay as Lorelei flits in and out of the story, while Charles Dance and Mark Gatiss just have fleeting appearances. The film builds up to a dramatic final scene with plenty of action, but overall one of Igor’s early comments that ‘We know the story’ is all too true, even if this is more about the creators than the monster. Film details: Victor Frankenstein (12A) 110mins Director: Paul McGuigan Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Jessica Brown Findlay Screening courtesy of Horsham Capitol Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage 2) Like our Facebook page 3) Follow us on Twitter 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! Always the first with your local news. Be part of it.