Kenneth Branagh (“Hamlet”, “Thor”) directs and stars in this overly complicated and all-round disappointing retelling of the classic “Frankenstein” story. There is something great about the simplicity of the earlier “Frankenstein” films that makes this one unnecessary.

Dr. Frankenstein (Branagh) is obsessed with creating his own life but when he does finally create a man, he disowns the creature (Robert De Niro “Taxi Driver”, “Raging Bull”). As a result, Frankenstein’s Monster eventually comes to get revenge. After his family is attacked, Frankenstein finds the only way to right his wrong is to make a female companion for the creature.

I really like Branagh’s portrayal of Frankenstein and his performance is easily the best part of the picture. The other characters were dull, I was especially disappointed by the fellow mad scientist played by John Cleese (“Rat Race”) as he could have been whacky but he was just a real bore. De Niro is a bad choice for Frankenstein’s Monster (who is never actually even referred to as a ‘monster’ or ‘creature’ in this film) in my opinion. I dislike the look of the monster and I hated how sophisticated he was as I adore the primitiveness of the creature in various other versions.

This version of “Frankenstein” gives me loads of information I never cared to know and it is the Monster that is the nail in the coffin. The scenes with Frankenstein are good but I found after the scene when the creature escapes the lab, the film when drastically downhill and spiralled into a mess. I thought a classy filmmaker like Branagh would understand the beauty of the older “Frankenstein” material but here it seems he didn’t quite get it. I enjoyed the Frankenstein character and the scene where the creature is created is very enjoyable and memorable but the rest of the film didn’t do it for me. It’s a different kind of “Frankenstein” picture… I’ll give you that.