Frankenstein (2004 film)

Frankenstein is a 2004 made-for-television USA Network production starring Thomas Kretschmann as Victor Helios (supposedly the man that the fictional character Victor Frankenstein was based on) and Vincent Pérez as his creature. It was produced by Martin Scorsese and based on Dean Koontz's version of Frankenstein. The film was originally intended as the pilot for an ongoing series, but this was not successful. Koontz later developed the concept into a series of five novels: Frankenstein: Prodigal Son, Frankenstein: City of Night, Frankenstein: Dead and Alive, Frankenstein: Lost Souls, and Frankenstein: The Dead Town.

Plot
This is not a direct adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel, but a postmodern gothic reinvention set in present-day New Orleans. It recasts the doctor as the villain and the creature as a tragic hero determined to stop him; the primary action involves two police detectives (Parker Posey and Adam Goldberg) who enlist the aid of the creature ("Deucalion" in this version) to stop a serial killer who is one of Victor's later creations.

Reception
Sloan Freer of Radio Times gave the film two stars and said "though the ultra-stylised visuals create an air of brooding menace, they can't compensate for the patchy plotting or the abrupt and hugely unsatisfying finale." Brian Lowry of Variety praised the look saying "Even working on a made-for-TV budget, Nispel provides plenty of striking imagery, giving the film a truly distinctive look" and added "while the climax is somewhat disappointing, the brisk story until then leaves ample room to speculate as to where a series would go with Helios’ creations roaming the Earth."