Igor, Blu-ray (2009)

by | Feb 18, 2009 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews | 0 comments

Igor, Blu-ray (2009)

Family animation feature with voices of: John Cleese, John Cusack, Molly Shannon, Jay Leno
Studio: MGM [Release date: Jan. 20, 09]
Video: 1.85.1 widescreen for 16:9, 1080p HD
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Spanish DD 5.1, DD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Extras: Audio commentary by Director Tony Leondis, Writer Chris McKenna & Producer Max Howard; Alternate opening scene; Concept art galleries, Characters, Set and production design; Storyboards; Posters
Length: 86 minutes
Rating: ***

Just by the list of celebrity voices, you can see that this movie is directed more to the adults in the family than the kids. One online viewer compared it positively to Young Frankenstein in its razzing of old-time horror movies and characters; no way!  The story is way too cynical, stylized and 21st Century hip, most of the characters look like Tim Burton’s in Nightmare Before Christmas, and the animation is not very good either. I don’t recall seeing this one listed in the theaters – are there direct-to-Blu-rays now?

Dr. Frankenstein’s hunchbacked assistant Igor is the central figure in the story. It turns out there are many Igors, all slaves to evil scientists whose main job is “pulling the switch.”  The annual Evil Science Fair is approaching and in developing his own evil monster Igor’s scientist disappears.  Igor is left to ramp up his previous spare time creation-of-life work in creating his own evil monster for the competition. His previous efforts have resulted in the sidekick’s own sidekicks: a crazed roadkill bunny and an even nuttier brain in a jar with one arm. Their efforts to create a big monster are successful. The only problem is the female monster is the soul of goodness rather than being evil. Trying to teach her the word evil results in her mishearing it and calling herself Eva. They take her to a brainwashing studio to make her evil but the idiot brain switches the TV channel she’s watching.  She views a documentary on method acting and when she comes out, the only way Igor can get her to perform at the Evil Science Fair is to convince her she’s starring in a production of the musical Annie.

In addition to the disconcerting Burtonesque characters and the adult-oriented tale, a very odd element is occasionally inserted via Louis Prima-type 40s swing numbers, which doesn’t quite work. Fans of classic horror movies who appreciate movie parodies might dig this one but I wouldn’t want the kids to watch it.

– John Sunier

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