Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein 4K/UHD Review (Arrow Video)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (aKa Frankenstein) is a 1994 horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh (Thor, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, All Is True, and Sleuth). It was produced by Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather Trilogy, The Cotton Club, Apocalypse Now, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and The Outsiders). At the turn of the 19th century, visionary scientist Victor Frankenstein (played by: Kenneth Branagh from Henry V, Dead Again, Much Ado About Nothing, Wild Wild West, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile) embarks on an obsessive quest to conquer the mysteries of human mortality. But his hubristic bid to create life out of death goes hideously wrong, and succeeds only in begetting a deformed monster (played by: Robert De Niro from Heat, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, The Deer Hunter, Jackie Brown, and A Bronx Tale). Horrified by what he has wrought, the scientist attempts to destroy his creation, but fails. Rejected by his creator and shunned by the world of man, the tormented creature swears vengeance against Frankenstein and his family. As the monster begins to enact his murderous revenge, Victor must face a terrible reckoning with the tragic consequences of attempting to play God!!!!Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has always been highly under-rated and it’s never gotten the respect it deserves. It unfortunately came out to near the same time as Coppola’s Dracula when everyone was remaking these classic monsters and that one out shined this in almost every possible way but this was still a great adaptation of the legendary horror tale. This one had excellent cinematography, special fx, music, production design, and performances. Kenneth Branagh is one of the better actor and directors in cinema. Most of them can’t juggle both important jobs at the same time but he always handles with ease and delivers on both sides. Robert De Niro is the greatest actor of all time so it was crazy seeing him portray this iconic horror character in this version. He makes every production that he is involved with so much better with his presence alone. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has an impressive supporting cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Aidan Quinn, Ian Holm, John Cleese, and many others. This is one of my personal favorite adaptations of Frankenstein, RECOMMENDED!!!!This 2160p (1.85:1) transfer with Dolby Vision and HDR10 blows away every previous home video release in the past! It’s the best it’s ever looked anywhere & this one is a nice visual feature. The audio options includes English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English: LPCM 2.0 on this UHD disc. All of the dialogue is very clean, the mad scientist moments are elevated, and the music has a nice boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. It also has reversible artwork and a collectible booklet inside!!!!This one is loaded with extras! It has an “Audio Commentary” with Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains. “Mary Shelley and the Creation of a Monster” is almost 30 minutes. It has interviews with gothic experts David Pirie, Stephen Volk and Jonathan Rigby. “Dissecting Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” is a little over 15 minutes. It has interviews with gothic experts David Pirie, Stephen Volk and Jonathan Rigby. “Frankenstein (1910)” is the first screen adaptation of the iconic novel, this is directed by J. Searle Dawley. “Stitching Frankenstein” is an almost 15 minute interview with costume designer James Acheson. “We’ll Go No More A Roving” is an almost 13 minute interview with composer Patrick Doyle. “Making it All Up” is a little over 14 minute interview with make up artist Daniel Parker. It has two “Trailers” and an “Image Gallery”. This is definitely worth adding to the horror collection. It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!