"Igor" Review
Movie: Igor * Preview * Official Site | In Theaters: Sept. 19, 2008 |
Runtime: 87 minutes | Directed by: Anthony Leondis |
MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language | Gecko Rating: |
It’s a good thing John Cusack voiced the main character in this movie, because that kept it from being totally boring and unoriginal. Ok, it’s also bright and colorful and boasts a great soundtrack. But it seemed like they were trying for a Tim Burton-type film, but it didn’t really work. I think because it lacks Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (though Cusack is a worthy opponent).
More after the jump…
Cusack lends his voice to Igor, the good-hearted, hunch-backed assistant to mad scientist Dr. Glickenstein (John Cleese). When the doc expires while working on his invention for the annual Evil Science Fair, Igor happily takes over with his own experiments — namely, creating a female giant named Eva (Molly Shannon) who’s supposed to be evil, but is kind-hearted and good with orphans.
No, no, no! says Igor. She’s supposed to be evil! So he takes her in for a brain-washing a la Clockwork Orange, but she’s mistakenly shown a video of host James Lipton on Inside the Actor’s Studio, and ends up thinking she’s a famous actress.
Igor’s goal is to create a creature menacing enough to foil whatever the evil Dr. Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard) comes up with, helped by his girlfriend/assistant Jaclyn (Jennifer Coolidge). But it all goes wrong when Igor starts to fall for his creation.
With screenwriter Chris McKenna (Fox’s American Dad!), and supporting cast Steve Buscemi, who plays Scamper a suicidal rabbit, and Sean Hayes, who plays Brain, a brain who’s a little short on brains, you’d think this would be a better film. Director Anthony Leondis doesn’t have many directing credits (mainly, Lilo & Stitch 2), so maybe that’s part of it.
“Igor” is bright and colorful, has a great soundtrack (everything from retro swing to R&B), and offers a message for kids (you can choose not to be evil). But the dialogue is bland, nudging only a few laughs out of the audience where I saw it, and the storyline boring and somewhat unoriginal. There’s also some scary scenes, like when Eva sings a maniacal version of Annie’s “Tomorrow,” and when the characters get kicked and slapped around. I didn’t have kids with me, but those scenes made me cringe.
Seems like “Igor” would have worked better as a short at a film festival.
Images: Igor, MGM, 2008
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