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Synopsis:
In
this modern retelling of the classic tale,Victor Helios and his prototype creation known
as Deucalion have survived 200 years through scientific manipulation. Now living in New
Orleans, Victor has created a laboratory where he works to manufacture a new race of
people - a race designed to ultimately replace mankind. When Deucalion, who has been
living in Europe, learns about Victor's evil scheme, he travels to New Orleans to face his
creator and end the human-engineering operation. But in order to accomplish this
objective, Deucalion realizes he must find help.
Meanwhile, Detectives Carson O'Conner and Michael Sloane are investigating a series of
murders that are plaguing the New Orleans community. Their latest victim is a human
abomination like nothing they've ever seen before, with two hearts and bones as solid as
rock. Before the detectives are able to effectively review the corpse, the body is
mysteriously destroyed, and the detectives are left wondering about the victim's true
identity.
Deucalion seizes an opportunity to reach out to Detective Carson, and she initially thinks
he may be the killer they're looking for due to his bizarre features and odd disposition.
To allay her fears, Deucalion reveals his true identity, and then explains to her the
complex nature of the killings she is investigating. Upon further investigation, Carson
and Deucalion learn some disturbing facts about one of Carson's colleagues, Detective
Harker, that tie him not only to the crimes, but also to Helios. Carson, Sloane, and
Deucalion make a pact to take down the evil doctor whose creations have successfully
infiltrated society.
*****
Production Notes:
The idea for a new Frankenstein emerged in 2003 when writer Dean Koontz and
producer Tony Krantz, developing a television show based on a classic horror
franchise, settled on Frankenstein. Koontz wrote a one-hour pilot, and
executive producer John Shiban was later hired to turn it into a two-hour
movie, when the decision was made to use it as a backdoor pilot for a
series. Shooting took place in May and June 2004 in the New Orleans area.
*****
Variety:
"A moody, visually arresting piece reminiscent of the 1980s CBS series Beauty and
the Beast... Loaded with atmosphere, the story flips the Frankenstein mythos on its
head, transforming the doctor into an ageless, malevolent villain and his monster into a
hooded avenger with a rich voice and a noble soul... Deucalion (the impressive Vincent
Perez)... Even working on a made-for-TV budget, Nispel provides plenty of
striking imagery, giving the film a truly distinctive look."
Mercury News:
"USA takes its shot with a modern-day retelling... In this version of the yarn, the
monster is the sexy good guy... Directed with a ton of atmosphere by Marcus
Nispel..."
The Virginian-Pilot:
"Frankenstein" is deliciously good sci-fi. It's a lush
production with misty venues, dark corners, long shadows and a pinch of
humor. Martin Scorsese, an Oscar-nominated director, is among the executive
producers. That alone is enough to raise this film above the usual movie of
the week... Unlike Boris Karloff, the lead of the
Frankenstein films, Perez moves through the USA production with
hooded grace. He's almost suave."
Cleveland Plain Dealer:
"This updating of the classic horror story owes more to Anne Rice’s
vampire tales than Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. The obsessed scientist’s
original creation, called Deucalion in this series, is played by the
broodingly handsome Vincent Perez." Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
"This is not the Frankenstein you know from those cheesy Saturday matinees or the
Hallmark Channel, which aired earlier this week. In fact, you actually may develop the
hots for Vincent Perez, the guy who plays USA's version of the
creature."
Miami Herald:
USA's Frankenstein is not only contemporary, but has flipped the story on its
head: The monster (Vincent Perez, The Crow: City of Angels) is a
handsome, heroic dude chasing down the doctor (Thomas Kretschmann, The Pianist),
who has kept himself immortal through some plastic surgery too yucky even for the butchers
over at Nip/Tuck."
Sci-fi.com:
"Frankenstein has an intriguing premise, good acting and a sexy Frankenstein,
and it's dripping with atmosphere... Parker Posey does a solid job as Carson and gets good
support from the rest of the cast. Vincent Perez makes for a compelling
sexy antihero, and Thomas Kretschmann does a nicely evil turn as the doctor."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
"While Helios is despicable, Deucalion is far from monstrous. As played by the
smoldering Perez, he's even strangely sexy, as Posey's character can't
help noticing."
Enterline Media:
"This new modernized take on Frankenstein takes the story into the 21st century in a
very stylish version... Vincent Perez continues to try to get his big
break in the USA and I like him as Deucalion."
*****
"I thought I'd see my appearance change completely when in fact on one side
of my face I'm a good-looking guy. The other side is scars
and stuff. I've had 200 years to heal... I
play him like a man of mystery."
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Cast:
Parker Posey.....Det. Carson O' Conner
Vincent
Perez......Deucalion
Thomas Kretschmann.....Victor Helios
Ivana Milicevic.....Erika
Adam Goldberg.....Det.
Michael Sloane Michael Madsen.....Det.
Harker
Credits:
Directed by.....Marcus Nispel
Written by.....Dean R. Koontz
Cinematography by.....Daniel Pearl
Premiered on USA Network TV on October 10, 2004
DVD release: September 13, 2005 |
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