Movie #42 Young Frankenstein

I am excited about my next two reviews.  They both are in the same genre.  That would be horror/spoof.  This review focus's on Young Frankenstein and the next will be Shaun of the Dead.  I watched both of these movies with my lovely girlfriend last weekend.  She is a fan of Evil Dead, so I thought she might enjoy these films.  I am glad to say that I was proven correct.

Young Frankenstein was made in 1974 and directed by Mel Brooks.  I think this movie might be under seen because the same year the same director released Blazing Saddles.  That films is thought by many to be his best.  I disagree.  I think Young Frankenstein is his crowning achievement.  It is my opinion that YF ages much better the BS.  It is still as fresh and relevant as it was over 35 years ago.

Young Frankenstein subject is a young professor who is lured to his great grandfathers castle in Transylvania (of course) where he studies the experiments his grandfather did in an attempt to reanimate dead tissue.  In other words he becomes the new Dr Frankenstein.  "Fronk-en-steen" as he pronounces it is played to perfection by Gene Wilder.  He is aided by I-gore (Marty Feldman), Inga the lab assisstant (the beautiful Terri Garr) and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher (cue a horses whinnie).  Peter Boyle plays the Frankenstein monster.

As most Mel Brooks movies go this is a spoof.  But instead of spoofing a particular film of series of films like most of todays spoof movies do, its polestar is Frankenstein films.  It takes cues from various of the Frankenstein movies and blends them seemlessly into one solid, well told story.  Much like Tarintino does with all his movies.  If you catch the homages then good for you.  If not, you are not hindered in any way.  You can still enjoy the story.

Gene Wilder is AMAZING in this movie!  His comedic timing has never been better.  He is the perfect blend of rationality and insanity.  Terri Garr is a beauty to behold as well as a great performance.  Madeline Kahn has a small role as the young Frankenstein's fiancee and she pretty much steals every frame she is in.  There is a small role for Kenneth Mars as Inspector Kemp that cracks me up every time I see it.

This film is filled with wonderful jokes and the set up's are perfect.  It is in black and white which I know turns some people off, but give it a chance and I bet it will pay off in a big way.  This is a 5/5 stars film for me.  Check out the link below for the trailer. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOPTriLG5cU