This Japanese animated version takes a twist on the old tale and makes
the creature more of a misunderstood hero than a monster. It’s well
drawn, bloody, and even tries to teach us the lesson of not judging
people solely by outward appearance. He’s still so ugly though, so poor
Frank runs into trouble at every turn. The Dr. is out to kill him soon
after creation, realizing it’s a mistake. The creature gets loose, pops
out the assistants eye out, and falls over the edge of a cliff to what
seems his death. The Dr. thinks all is well until strange things begin to
occur. Someone is after him. Guess who? There are a couple sick scenes
here, like the horse head that hangs down, dripping blood in the Dr.’s
bathtub while he’s in it. He soon finds his monster stalking him and vows
to kill it this time once and for all. The creature seems more like a lost
child looking for an identity at this point. He sees how other people live
and seems saddened at his state. The creature takes a shine to Dr.
Frankenstein’s daughter like a puppy dog. He also finds a friend in the
senior member of the Frankenstein family, as the old blind man helps
calm the monster and show others he can be as much a man as anyone.
The gentle side comes through (he saves the child of his most hated
enemy from a bear) and the beast is soon having lunches with a few
friends and learning to talk, sorta. It looks like Frank is well on his way
to a normal life, when tragic events strike! Things go down hill and this
animated feature does not have a happy ending.
Product Code: FRAS22
