I, Frankenstein (2014/Lionsgate Blu-ray 3D w/Blu-ray 2D)

3D Picture: A 2D Picture: B+ Sound: A Extras: B Film: B

I Frankenstein was a January release movie. In other words, it's by no means considered by most moviegoers as good or memorable but it's sole purpose is meant to sell a few 3D tickets during the slow time on the movie calendar where all the big Oscar movies have run their course and there's nothing fresh until Valentine's Day. The 90 minute film was panned by critics and most audience members. Me however? Saw it on opening day in the theater and am now excited to have it on disc. I'm a sucker for movies like Van Helsing, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and the Underworld movies. I know that they are not everyone's cup of tea but for me they are mindless popcorn munching eye candy that feature outrageous monsters and terrible digital effects. For a film that features a war between Gargoyles and Demons, you know that this movie is going to be fun.

This is a fun film full of beautiful production and costume design and has a very distinct look to it. There are cathedral gothic temples, broken stained glass windows, and dark cloudy skies. The main issue is digital fire effects (which look super duper fake), of course the dialogue and practicality of Adam (played by Aaron Eckhart), the Frankenstein monster being able to be such a good fighter if he is a stitched together being. Throw away all your senses of realism out and you're good to go!

I, Frankenstein pours right out of the gate at its very strongest with the silhouetted image of Adam who is carrying the dead body of his master through majestic snowy mountains and beautiful New Zealand-like scenery. It goes on to tell the story of Adam's creation and how he was banned by his maker Victor Frankenstein and cast out for dead. In anger, Adam takes vengeance on Frankenstein by killing his Wife. When the Mad Scientist takes revenge on the monster, he ends up dying in the cold and snow before reaching the creature, which brings us to the present where Adam is burying his Master in a dark cemetery. The next scene brings us some of the worst digital effects of recent memory with a multi battle between 2 Gargoyles, 4 Demons, and Adam. One reveal that has always disappointed me is the model look that the Gargoyles have when in their human form. I would have went with a more rugged and war-torn look. (They also seem to have great hair stylists and gym trainers in this fantasy world.) The plot thickens when the Gargoyle Order apprehends Adam and try to figure out why the Demons want him so bad. Adam is temporarily accepted into the group and is told of the secret world that Gargoyles fight around humanity unseen and thought of as mere decoration.

Adam is given some bad ass weapons by the Gargoyle Order and goes his own way. The Gargoyle Queen Lenore has taken Victor Frankenstein's diary and is keeping it in safe keeping (do you think it will go into the wrong hands later?) Adam walks into the wilderness and spends 200 years in seclusion avoiding the ongoing war. Just when he thought Niberious (the Demon God) had forgotten about him, he sends three Demons after him in the wild. After he kills them in Sin City-esque fashion, he goes back into the Gargoyle/Demon world and hunts those who hunt him. We soon meet a Scientist, Dr. Wade (the beautiful Yvonne Strahovski) who is on a mission to become something of a Frankenstein herself with the successful reanimation of a mouse in her futuristic science lab - which is the ultimate experiment of Niberious who hopes to have an army of Frankenstein monsters possessed as demons at his disposal.

We realize soon [SPOILER] that Bill Nighy is the Dark Prince Niberious and that he is aware of Adam's second coming. Lucky for our hero, he is snatched up again by the Gargoyles and they lay into him the severity of his purpose in the war. As predicted the journal of Adam's creation finds itself in the wrong hands and Adam must get it back to find out the key to his creation. The Demons unleash upon the Gargoyles and an epic battle is fought! Will humanity stand a chance? Find out when you watch I, Frankenstein in 3D!

The 1080p digital High Definition widescreen (2.40:1 aspect ratio) is fantastic as is the wonderfully loud and powerful English 5.1 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless track. Also on the disc is a Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles.

As far as 3D movies go, I, Frankenstein is definitely stronger with the added effect. The Blu-ray 3D version is great and the characters and flying gargoyles pop and fly all around you, immersing your living room. The 3D is MVC Encoded full resolution for the Left/Right eye.

Special Features include two audio commentary tracks: one with Co-writer/Director Stuart Beattie, the other with filmmakers Gary Lucchesi, Richard Wright, James McQuaide & Kevin Grevioux, the 13 minute Creating a Monster featurette, theatrical trailer, Also From Lionsgate, and a bookmarks option. I would have liked a special feature showing more of the production and an origin story of how this whole thing came to be.

- James Harland Lockhart

www.vimeo.com/jamielockhart