 Tagline: That's FronkenSTEEN Tagline: The scariest comedy of all time! With its hilarious all-star cast - including Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr and Madeline Kahn - Mel Brooks' monstrous comedy masterpiece is so funny, its scary! Summoned to his late grandfather's castle in Transylvania, young Dr. Frankenstein (Wilder) soon discovers the scientist's step-by-step manual explaining how to bring a corpse to life. Storyline: A young neurosurgeon (Gene Wilder) inherits the castle of his grandfather, the famous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. In the castle he finds a funny hunchback called Igor, a pretty lab assistant named Inga and the old housekeeper, frau Blucher -iiiiihhh!-. Young Frankenstein believes that the work of his grandfather is only crap, but when he discovers the book where the mad doctor described his reanimation experiment, he suddenly changes his mind... Written by Flavio Rizzardi Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, November 13, 2008 -- It's alive!. Young Frankenstein is proof-positive that they just don't make 'em like they used to, but then again, there is only one Mel Brooks (Spaceballs). The famed comedian/writer/actor/producer/director's Hollywood career spans some 40 years, his movies entertaining audiences since his 1968 debut and breakthrough comedy hit The Producers earned him an Oscar and propelled him to the top of the comedy scene. That film also earned Brooks favorite Gene Wilder (Stir Crazy) an Oscar nod for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The comedy duo's collaborations on The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and, of course, Young Frankenstein is the stuff of Hollywood legend, the three films not only representing Brooks and Wilder at the top of their games, but also representing three shining examples of the Comedy genre at its best. Young Frankenstein remains today a classic of monstrous proportions, its throwback (even for the 1970s) look and feel anything but abnormal, its laughs still tickling the funny bone like an electric current, leaving audiences humped over in stitches. Dr. Frankenstein (Wilder) is a professor of anatomy trying to distance himself from a grandfather known far and wide for being a fringe scientist, robbing graves in an attempt to re-animate dead tissue. When he receives word that he has inherited the Frankenstein estate in Transylvania, the professor travels to Europe where he is met by a humpbacked servant named Igor (Marty Feldman) and a beautiful personal assistant by the name of Inga (Terri Garr, Close Encounters of the Third Kind). Soon, Dr. Frankenstein becomes familiar with his grandfather's work and manages to re-animate the corpse of a recently departed larger-than-life individual (played by Peter Boyle), but with an "abnormal" brain inserted into the cranium thanks to Igor's mishap at the local brain depository. The abomination is capable of little more than walking and mumbling, certainly not the creation Dr. Frankenstein had in mind. Meanwhile, the locals become outraged as they learn this unholy work has one again been undertaken, and with the help of local inspector Kemp (Kenneth Mars), they set out to destroy the monster, Frankenstein, and the secret laboratory once and for all. Before Young Frankenstein is past its title sequence, movie fans, particularly those who treasure the classic black-and-white horror films of the 1930s, realize they are in for a treat. The choice to shoot Young Frankenstein in black-and-white film stock and give to it a nostalgic look and feel that allows it to nestle in with films shot while Mel Brooks was still in elementary school proved to be a stroke of genius. The simple combination of just the right somber music, throwback colorless photography, large-lettered titles, and a static shot of a creepy Transylvanian castle atop a steep mountain with only a single, winding road leading to it creates a sense of excitement and anticipation as the film already takes on notes of a classic in the making, a sequence as seemingly inconsequential as this lifting the spirits in preparation for what is to come. What is so amazing about it is just how perfectly it fits the mood of the rest of the film. Young Frankenstein is not slapstick comedy; it does not make use of gross-out humor; there are few direct moments of comedy. The levity of the film stems from its seriousness, the seemingly normal characters, and the dark, somewhat frightening, foreboding locations. What makes the comedy work is that there is generally something only ever-so-slightly off. A few alterations and Young Frankenstein could work nicely as a stand alone spook movie. Instead, like any good parody, it takes it source material seriously and adds in something just out of the ordinary that transforms the scene from serious to hilarious. Brooks is a master of the art form; like Blazing Saddles and Spaceballs, for example, he takes a classic theme, genre, or story and molds it just so to retain a seriousness about its characters and drama, but certain elements are exaggerated and lines of dialogue adjusted ever-so-slightly (while relying on the comic timing of the actors) to add a comedic twist that results in a laugh-a-minute movie. Young Frankenstein is Brooks at his best, all of the elements lining up just so to create an enduring comedic classic that hasn't lost it touch in its 34 years, perhaps today overshadowed by the deluge of cheap comedy and parody, but certainly not bested. Like any well-scripted comedy, from Animal House to The Blues Brothers, Young Frankenstein relies on the delivery and timing of its actors to seal the deal and sell the material, and this entire ensemble nails the finest nuances of the film's Oscar-nominated screenplay. Gene Wilder, one of the greatest comedians of the past several decades, delivers what may very well be the defining performance of his career. His portrayal of Dr. Frankenstein never disappoints, his character's serious intentions and deeds overshadowed by the routine comedic overtones that accompany him. His delivery flawless, his look appropriately clean yet somewhat disheveled, his timing impeccable, Wilder sets a standard for deadpan comedy throughout Young Frankenstein. Marty Feldman plays his character, Igor, with a childlike enthusiasm, the wide-eyed (a condition inherent to Feldman), humpbacked, goofy character comic relief in a film packed to the brim with comedic undertones. Teri Garr, too, delivers a memorable performance as Inga, Frankenstein's assigned Transylvanian assistant who serves not only as eye candy but is also another character that serves up several great comedic sequences. Kenneth Mars' performance as inspector Kemp, the foil to the Frankenstein monster despite himself being a patchwork individual with a stiff wooden arm and an eyepatch, delivers his thickly-accented dialogue and accentuated movements perfectly. Last but certainly no least, Peter Boyle serves up the best Frankenstein cinema has ever seen outside of Boris Karloff. Whether moaning and groaning as hot soup is poured on his lap by a blind hermit (portrayed by Gene Hackman) or donning a tuxedo and top hat as he dances the night away with Dr. Frankenstein, Boyle's portrayal of the monster is exemplary. Young Frankenstein is a fine example of Mel Brooks' comedic genius. The film is a wonderful parody of classic monster movies, shot with black-and-white film stock, taking its musical cues, sound effects, and dialogue patterns straight out of the 1930s fright flicks, resulting in an undeniable classic of the Comedy genre. Featuring a cast that, from top to bottom, understands the film's intent and the importance of comedic timing, Young Frankenstein remains a hallmark of Comedy, continues to be recognized for its simple, easygoing approach to parody filmmaking, and only gets better with repeat viewings. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release of Young Frankenstein is equally impressive. Featuring a strong video presentation that remains true to the intent of the film, including an abundance of film grain, a center-focused lossless soundtrack, and wide array of bonus materials, Young Frankenstein is a disc that is worth owning. Highly recommended! Cast Notes: Gene Wilder (Dr. Frankenstein), Peter Boyle (The Monster), Marty Feldman (Igor), Cloris Leachman (Frau Blücher), Teri Garr (Inga), Kenneth Mars (Inspector Kemp), Richard Haydn (Herr Falkstein), Liam Dunn (Mr. Hilltop), Danny Goldman (Medical Student), Oscar Beregi Jr. (Sadistic Jailor [as Oscar Beregi]), Arthur Malet (Village Elder), Anne Beesley (Little Girl), Monte Landis (Gravedigger), Rusty Blitz (Gravedigger), John Madison (A Villager), John Dennis (Orderly in Frankenstein's Class), Rick Norman (A Villager), Rolfe Sedan (Train Conductor), Terence Pushman (A Villager [as Terrence Pushman]), Randolph Dobbs (Third Villager - Joe), Norbert Schiller (Emcee at Frankenstein's Show), Pat O'Hara (A Villager [as Patrick O'Hara]), Michael Fox (Helga's Father), Lidia Kristen (Helga's Mother), Madeline Kahn (Elizabeth), Richard A. Roth (Insp. Kemp's Aide [as Richard Roth]), Gene Hackman (Blindman). IMDb Rating (05/23/10): 8.0/10 from 56,118 users
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