Young Frankenstein (1974)
Status: Out on DVD
Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman

Rating: 3/5

Young Frankenstein is a spoof comedy based on the original Frankenstein film. Gene Wilder plays Dr. Frankenstein’s Grandson, a man determined not to be tarnished by his Grandfather’s history. However, when he inherits his Grandfather’s castle, he finds himself intrigued by his Grandfather’s work and decides to continue his Grandfather’s experiments.

Not as impressive as it has been made out to be, it is undeniable that Mel Brooks, co-writer, director and comic great, certainly has the ability to make people laugh out loud. The story revolved around the comedic punches the film made, leaving much to be desired when dialogue was sparse or slapstick manoeuvres were not present, however it was still very enjoyable. Marty Feldman as Igor provided many of the comedic moments and should be commended for his comedic skill and delivery of lines.

The great thing about Young Frankenstein is that it takes us back to a time when the story of a film unravelled at a suitable pace, rather than cascading over a cliff at perilous speeds. Nowadays, a film of television programme has to be jam packed full of action, romance, comedy, drama, and intrigue if it even wants to attempt to get off the ground. Young Frankenstein is heralded as a classic and it moves at a snail’s pace in comparison. It shows that some of the greatest and most memorable cinematic creations bask in simplicity, and that over complication is not needed.

Something that needs to be realised more often.