I never really considered The Invisible Man to be up there with the other classic Universal studios monsters. I mean he's not really even a monster, is he? He's just a crazy invisible guy(although he does seem pretty strong when he starts tossing cops around). Didn't seem nearly as amazingly awesome to me as a kid as watching the Wolf Man or Frankenstein lurking about. On top of that this isn't even really a horror film, it's science-fiction but because of when it was made it's lumped in with the other more monstrous characters from Hollywood's golden age. With that being said though I do find this an entertaining flick by FRANKENSTEIN director James Whale. It's nowhere near that one or his classic BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN but just the fact that you have a naked, crazy-ass fellow running around and screwing with society makes this one worth checking out.
The one major complaint I have with this movie is the old screechy-voiced woman played by Una O'Connor. I hate her and her whole stupid comic-relief act. While Whale did use her in BRIDE it seems like she gets a lot more screen-time here or maybe she's just extra-specially annoying. Either way I would have rated this movie a lot higher if she was killed in the first five minutes. On the positive side computer graphics didn't exist yet so the FX in this movie are awesome also Claude Rains is pretty spectacular since he has to convey almost everything using his voice alone.
Wow I can't believe you don't think this is one of the better Universal flicks. I like this one after Frankenstein.
ReplyDeleteIt's OK but nowhere near something like BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Whale's best stuff is full of deeper meaning and symbolism than this. This one is really almost a comedy. I don't think any of the remakes of this are even considered horror flicks at all. Most of them just go for laughs or the sci-fi angle.
ReplyDeleteThe Invisible Man is pretty ruthless and power mad. He kills a lot more people the Frankenstein's monster does. He wipes out a whole train full of innocent people. I do prefer Whales Bride over the Invisible Man but I find this one to be a close second
ReplyDeleteHe's also pretty fuckin' silly singing his little kiddie songs and booting asses! It just never feels particularly scary to me.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I think this is one of the best of Universal Horror's classics. There are some crazy scenes where Claude Rains slowly slips into madness. I also love the atmosphere of the film at the beginning. And I must admit, Una O'Connor is annoying yet I find her oddly enjoyable.
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