VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN (2015)

Told through the eyes of Igor (a character not even featured in the original novel), Victor Frankenstein is an enjoyable, semi-lighthearted retelling of the legend of the good doctor (James McAvoy) directed by Paul McGuigan - director of a number of episodes of "Sherlock", which shows (positively, for me) in the look and feel of this film (not to mention Adam Scott and Louise Brealey - both of "Sherlock" - have supporting roles).  Here, Igor (a very good Daniel Radcliffe) is a hunchbacked clown who's only ever known the circus as his home, until rescued from his abused existence by med student Frankenstein when the doctor learns Igor's a self-studied medical genius.  Igor's knowledge, in fact, becomes essential to Victor's work, the two becoming friends and partners, even as Frankenstein's experiments grow into the arena of madness.  I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads, and while the finale is a bit silly and convoluted, a la Van Helsing, overall (to me) the film was a fun period piece not worthy of the thrashing it got from critics. (rated PG-13)  B

VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN trailer