The Invisible Man
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Movie Reviews of The Invisible Man
Movie Review: A deserved classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Though this marvelous film was made 70 years ago, it holds up beautifully today. The primary reason is the riveting performance by Claude Rains, who is seen on screen full face for only a few seconds at the conclusion of the piece. His voice virtually carries the picture and his performance is dynamic, comic and quite masterful. In contrast, the weakness of the film are the supporting players, with the exception of those in the British tavern.Gloria Stuart, recently "re-discovered" in her role as the elderly Rose in Cameron's "Titanic," is singularly awful in her role as the Invisible Man's (Jack's) girlfriend. Though beautiful, she overacts and puts on a childish display in every scene. She adds virtually nothing to the narrative except a pretty face. William Harrigan plays Jack's partner and reluctant accomplice and he is also dreadful and theatrical. Henry Travers is excellent and pay special attention to catch an uncredited Walter Brennan in a brief speaking role in the tavern.
The script is excellent and provides many hilarious moments. The special effects are similarly good and leagues ahead of their time. Though a trifle awkward in spots, one must remember this is 1933 and the effects must have stunned and delighted audiences of that era. This is a must-see classic movie, made memorable by the riveting concept and a seering performance by Claude Rains.
Movie Review: A Good Science Fiction Film For Its Time
Summary: 4 Stars
THE INVISIBLE MAN can be an enjoyable movie - particularly if you don't take it too seriously. By the standards of the early 1930's the special effects are good enough and the acting by Claude Rains as the invisible man is superb.The story by H.G. Wells about a scientist who develops a method of becoming invisible and then gradually goes insane is unique. Local police who try to capture the invisible man provide much slapstick humor.
Gloria Stuart who played the girl friend of the invisible man also acted in REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM and THE THREE MUSKETEERS in the 1930's as well as TITANIC and THE LOVE LETTER in the 1990's. Director James Whale directed FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN in the 1930's.
Movie Review: Impressive Early Horror Film
Summary: 4 Stars
The original INVISBLE MAN is now 70 years old, and obviously it shows some age by being a bit static and talky. Overall, however, I was pretty impressed with how enjoyable it is in light of today's action movies. The film was directed by James Whale, who made "Frankenstein" and was the subject of "Gods and Monsters."Claude Rains, in his first major role, plays a scientist who meddles with invisibility. His experiments work, except now he can't reverse the results, and he's slowing going mad. Gloria Stuart (old Rose from Titanic) plays his love interest who tries to talk him back to sanity. The special effects still work pretty well - apparently the invisiblity scenes were filmed by having Rains in a black velvet body stocking and filmed in front of a black velvet backdrop (an early precursor to our bluescreen special effects). Some of the acting is pretty hammy but doesn't detract too much from the main story. Finally, it's a surprisingly humorous movie - I laughed out loud more than once! Highly recommended for fans of early horror films and classic films in general.
Movie Review: A lot of old "classics" can be slow and boring, but this was
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie is usually categorized as a horror film, but it is more of a sci-fi film than horror. There are also a few good comic moments (intentional) that work in this film. Oh, and Claude Raines also gives the performance of his career in the title role. I recently watched the dvd released from Universal of this film and I must say that I was quite impressed. I had not seen the movie in probably twenty years and it was really good! A lot of old "classics" can be slow and boring, but this was entertaining and I never even thought about fast forwarding through any of it, like I would in say, a Jess Franco film. The movie starts out with a bang when a mysterious man appears at an inn during a howling snowstorm. He is bundled up and and demands a room and food. After he is settled in his room, we see (or don't see) the first glimpses of the invisible man.
The name of the mysterious invisible man we find out is Dr. Jack Griffin. He has a fiancee, Flora Cranley (played by Gloria Stuart who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as the old woman in the Titantic), and Flora and her father are very concerned for the missing invisible man, but his former partner, Dr. Kemp, sees this as a chance try and move in on Flora, but Kemp's advances are rebuffed.
Later on Kemp is visited by the invisible guy and under duress, offers cloths, food and a place to sleep for Griffin. This is when Claude Raines really gets to shine, telling Kemp about his megolimania like plans to control the world through criminal mischief. The rest of the story is somewhat of a moral tale that mixes suspense and humor.
The film was released in 1933 and was right in the middle of James Whale's wonderful run of great movies for Universal. He directed the smash hit Frankenstein that was released in 1931 and followed that up with The Old Dark House which also starred Boris Karloff. They teamed up again in 1935 for the Bride of Frankenstein which ended up being the directors last great horror film. He did manage to direct some future great horror actors in Vincent Price and Peter Cushing in the late 30's, but his career was pretty much over by 1939.
The dvd is part of Universal Studios Classic Horror Collection which means that it includes a great documentary and also a commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer. The special effects in this movie are great, especially considering they are 70 years old. I really can't recommend this dvd highly enough for anyone who cares for early classic horror or sci-fi. I got it as part of the 8 dvd Classic Monster Collection which is still available at amazon.com, but the individual dvd is currently out of print.
Movie Review: TERRIFIC!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Invisible Man is a great flim! It stars Claude Rains as thne invisible one, Griffin. And during the end of the middle his partner calls the police while his is staying in his house. Then Griffin promised to kill him the next day at 10:00p.m. And that is a PROMISE! I wont say anything more. People would say why would he go mad? He only turned invisible but during the movie it says in the chemicals he uses there is a drug and mixed with the other chemicals it abvously creates invisibility. But the drug can hurt people drive them a little mad. This happens to Griffin. This was found by anciet times when they used this drug and the other assitiant points out thats why they have not used it since. This movie has an ending that makes you say how was there two sequels to The Invisible Man unless the invisible man is not Griffin or there was a miricle but otherwise this movie is TERRIFIC. So I highly reccomend this movie to anyone who spots a good eye on it. So may I end this review in:This Movie Was Terrific