Frankenstein’s monster (Aaron Eckhart) has exacted revenge on his maker, and now finds himself hunted by an evil demon prince (Bill Nighy). His existence is apparently testament that God is not the sole maker of man, and could prove the key to unleashing a demon army of epic proportions.

On the other side of the war are the gargoyles; defenders of humanity, lead by their Queen Leonore (Miranda Otto). The gargoyles offer Frankenstein’s monster their allegiance, but he chooses to go solo.

Fast-forward a couple of centuries—bored with his solo existence, Frankenstein’s monster (aptly nicknamed Adam by Queen Leonore) decides to turn the tables and hunt the demons who have hunted him for all these years. He uncovers an attractive scientist in their lair, Terra (Yvonne Strahovski), who is trying to regenerate the dead on behalf of the evil prince.

Adam is intrigued by her (and, to be honest, a little distracted from his demon killing bent). Terra is unaware of the wicked purpose to her work, and is excited when the journal of Dr Frankenstein comes into her possession. Its pages hold the key to regenerating the dead, and if mastered, could spell the end for mankind.

Adam, against all odds, must retrieve the journal, and save mankind once and for all—but does this ‘monster’ have the desire to save the people who have rejected him?

I, Frankenstein had all the right ingredients—a solid cast, a reliable age-old legend, a writer who’s proven his big budget adventure stripes—yet, like the monster itself, something went a little wrong in the baking.

When I don’t actually enjoy a Bill Nighy film, it’s an ominous sign that the order of the universe seems slightly askew. This was the case with I Frankenstein, whose visuals are adequately gothic and villains demonstrably seethe with evil, yet whose plot and writing ultimately fizzled.

Filmed in Melbourne with a largely Australian cast and crew, it saddens me to be sparing in praise; but the cast, the writers and crew have proven themselves capable of so much more, and hopefully we will see it during their next collaboration.

Directed by: Stuart Beattie

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Miranda Otto, Bill Nighy

Rating: M

Runtime: 92mins

Release Date: March 20

Reviewer rating: 2/5