![The Frankenstein Experiment [DVD]](https://cdn.statically.io/img/m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61VVNXKr+dL._SY300_.jpg)
In 1818, Mary Shelley's horror novel Frankenstein was released and over the next 190 years, her idea has been replicated in countless films, plays, on television and in books; and the character of Frankenstein's monster has been utilised and reimagined throughout modern pop culture as well as the within the genre itself. Against that background comes The Frankenstein Experiment.
Alternatively billed as The Frankenstein Syndrome and The Prometheus Project; The Frankenstein Experiment comes with the following synopsis:
"A beautiful young stem-cell researcher (Tiffany Shepis) joins a secret research group attempting to develop a stem-cell based universal healing serum. Despite opposition from the project leaders, she quickly develops a serum that can bring the dead back to life - but with horrific results.
Distraught, Elizabeth tries to leave the project, but the project's financier (Ed Lauter) orders Marcus to hold the research team captive until their research is complete. When one of the project's security guards is murdered and then re-animated, the team must contend with a man who at first is like a child, but quickly becomes something much, much more..."
I have to admit, I thought the addition of stem-cell research to this Frankenstein tale was a nice touch with the scientists exploring cures to the ailments of mankind, albeit without government sanction; and The Frankenstein Experiment revels in its origins, paying homage at various stages throughout proceedings to the source material.
Sean Tretta both wrote and directed this film and to be honest, at first, I found most of the dialogue quite wooden and really by the numbers. However, as matters proceed, Tretta allows The Frankenstein Experiment to evolve and it all feels like it flows much better.
I don't think it can be disputed that the film is well-shot and looks like it had a significant portion of budget spent on cinematography. The effects, although basic, are fairly satisfying because they are practical and I did not catch a hint of CGI anywhere. Some of the deaths are fairly brutal and to my mind, there's enough here to sate the gorehounds out there and to warrant the film's 18 certificate and warning from the BBFC of "Contains strong gory violence, horror and very strong language".
Shepis (Night of the Demons, The Violent Kind) continues to be a loyal star of the horror genre, Patti Tindall (Machined, The Graves) puts in a convincing turn as the ice cold scientist; and Ed Lauter's (The Number 23, The Lost) screen-time is short. However, the standout performance in The Frankenstein Experiment comes from Scott Anthony Leet (Freeway Killer, Abandoned, Perfect Student). Leet is a former American Football player for the St Louis Rams and the Dallas Cowboys; and is not only physically imposing on screen but his performance as David Doyle is also menacing in a more cerebral way, more to do with Leet's delivery than his physical size.
My main issue with The Frankenstein Experiment was the direction the story took after a while. Once David (Leet) was learning at a geometric rate, he started to acquire skills such as telepathy and psychokinesis. I had no problem with this and thought it was a nice addition to this take on the Frankenstein story. My trouble with the film arose when David evolved into some sort of murderous messiah, complete with the ability to turn water into wine. I'm not a religious man by any stretch of the imagination but this too me just seemed like Tretta was trying to do too much in the space of the film's 84 minute running time when, in my opinion, had he left the story as it was before the biblical allegory, it would have been a much more solid horror tale.
