I, Frankenstein, the latest adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, has been crushed by critics and no electrical cables or extra body parts seem likely to rebuild its reputation.

Aaron Eckhart
Aaron Eckhart stars as Adam, Frankenstein's monster.

The creators of the Underworld saga have contributed to this supernatural monstrosity, which is hardly surprising considering the standards of the latter movies in that particular franchise. The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Kevin Grevioux which places Frankenstein's monster in an alternative present day where gargoyles and demons struggle for dominance. 

Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) stars as Adam, Frankenstein's monster who finds himself trapped between the two clans. Sounds all too similar to Underworld, something critics have refused to touch on. However, it's all of an ilk and whilst one reviewer attempts to praise the production for conveying its graphic novel origins, but "the blinkered screenplay and indifferent performances fail to lift the eschatology and self-searching off the page" (New York Times).

Watch the movie trailer for I, Frankenstein:

Eckhart is supported by such actors as Bill Nighy (Underworld), Yvonne Strahovski (Dexter), Miranda Otto (Lord of the Rings), Jai Courtney (Spartacus: Blood and Sand), Socratis Otto (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Mahesh Jadu (Taj) and Caitlin Stasey (Reign). Aden Young (Killer Elite) also appears as Victor Frankenstein.

Watch Aaron Eckhart talk about the themes of I, Frankenstein.

The acting, especially of the lead, has been heavily criticised by reviewers. Eckhart may be "really, really ripped" (THR) but he "plays Frankenstein's monster in a monotonous, teeth-gritting mode, as if someone had one gun on him and another on his family" (Vulture). 

By far the most scathing review, and yet probably the most accurate, is from the Toronto Star's critic who felt I, Frankenstein was "monster" in itself and involves "a ridiculous good-versus-evil story enrobed in a pastiche of religious symbolism and stodgy mythology and set in a world created in a computer special effects lab."

I, Frankenstein is released in the US on 24th January and in the UK on 29th January 2014. 

Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski stars opposite Eckhart in I, Frankenstein.