Film Review: Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

The last film in the career of a great director is usually among his lesser works. Roger Corman, legendary and prolific director and producer of B-films, wasn’t an exception. His 1990 science fiction film Frankenstein Unbound turned out to be great disappointment, and even more so because it came after nearly two decades of Corman abstaining from directing.

The film is based on the eponymous novel by British writer Brian W. Aldiss, which itself is inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, 1817 novel which is often cited as the first modern work of science fiction. The plot begins in 2031 New Los Angeles where brilliant scientist Dr. Joe Buchanan (played by John Hurt) developed superweapon with ability to immaterialise the enemy, an invention he hopes would end all war. Unfortunately, his experiments had side effects in creating slips in space and time and, as a result, Buchanan and his car gets transported in 1817 Switzerland. There he meets Dr. Victor Frankenstein (played by Raul Julia) and, later, Mary Shelley (played by Bridget Fonda), realising that the plot of her famous novel was based on real events. Frankenstein has indeed created Monster (played by Nick Brimble), a hideous and strong creature that, driven by rage, killed many innocent people. After Monster kills Frankenstein’s fiancee Elizabeth (played by Catherine Rabbet), Frankenstein uses her corpse to create female mate for Monster. In the process he coerces Buchanan to help him, but American scientist wants that as an opportunity to remove time slips.

Some of Roger Corman’s best known works were based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, so it shouldn’t be surprising that in his last film was inspired by another literary classic of horror genre. In this particular instance, Corman, who was co-wrote script with F. X. Feeney, was among the producers, but also had unusually high budgets for his standards. Those financial resources are best seen in the beginning when the futuristic world of Los Angeles is shown in convincing way; when the plot moves to Switzerland two centuries earlier, there is still opportunity to appreciate Italian locations and period costumes. However, Corman is apparently at odds how to present complicated plot that mixes iconic horror story with futuristic time travelling plot. His direction, especially in scenes featuring action and violence, leaves much to be desired and the final showdown is rather disappointing, featuring special effects that look cheesy and dated from today’s perspective. Even worse is script that reduces character of Frankenstein to stereotype and wastes talents of Raul Julia in undeveloped role. Monster, played by British veteran actor Nick Brimble, features some make up effects that look almost parodical. Idea of having real life personality of Mary Shelley (and her friends Lord Byron and Percy Shelley, played by Jason Patric and rock musician Michael Hutchense of INXS fame) is wasted on romantic subplot that looks like an afterthought, although Bridget Fonda does solid job under circumstances. John Hurt in rare role of a protagonist obviously has fun, trying at times to add some humour in this mostly dark and depressive story, and his efforts, especially when paired with futuristic talking car (voiced by Terri Treas), make this film somewhat watchable. Carl Davis provides bombastic score that at times makes this film sound epic than it actually is, but this can’t prevent fans of Corman’s and Shelley’s work to experience huge disappointment. Frankenstein Unbound turned into massive flop at the box office and Corman wisely decided to dedicated the rest of his career to producing.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

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