The Invisible Man
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Movie Reviews of The Invisible Man
Movie Review: Another Classic from James Whale
Summary: 5 Stars
James Whale was one of Universal's best directors in the 1930s; hell, let's just say he was one of Hollywood's best directors. Besides "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," he also directed this first sound adaptation of H.G. Wells's thriller. And in it he provided a Hollywood debut for English actor Claude Rains. Rains is marvelous as the Invisible One (as he's identified in the opening credits), a fabulously over-the-top performance reveling in the character's madness and wit. Rains is aptly partnered by a young Gloria Stuart (who went on to play the old lady in James Cameron's "Titanic" about 60 years later, as well as lead an extraordinarily interesting life as an artist and a friend to the wonderful writer MFK Fisher, but I digress!) and Henry Travers (aka the angel wannabe Clarence in Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life.") But the real scene stealer in this thoroughly entertaining, masterfully paced film is the great Una O'Connor as the Inn-keeper's wife. Just watching this woman's face is one of the great delights of going to the movies, even at home. Good screen adaptation from the writers and excellent camera work, but it's Whale's show and the direction displays all his trademark creepy atmospherics and sly wit. A real gem, and with marvelous DVD bonus features to boot!Movie Review: The Invisible Man
Summary: 5 Stars
It was around 1934 when I first heard about this movie. Its debut came the same time as the Depression, therefore I never saw The Invisible Man in the movie theatre. While surfing the web I came across this movie at Amazon.com and to my amazement it was the original movie from 1934. I had to order it immediately and it quickly arrived at my home.
I was very impressed with the movie. It has a good mix of comedy and suspense; the special effects are very realistic. The movie's theme is current with today, as it depicts a person who gain power over other people and then uses their powers for unjust purposes.
This is a truly a classic/entertaining movie and well worth the money.
Movie Review: CLASSIC that holds up just fine
Summary: 5 Stars
Most people balk at the prospect of sitting down for a 68 year old film. It can sometimes be an academic exercise. Not so with "The Invisible Man," one of the finest Universal fright flicks.I'll briefly explain why I think this film has held up particularly well: 1) Much praise has been given to Claude Rains performance, and it is totally justified. Rains is perfectly convincing as the raving scientist. 2) There is a lot of humor in this film. Sure, some of it is very broad and hasn't aged well. But most of it is fairly subtle and still works. 3) The special effects... There are a few shots that couldn't be improved much even today. And just about all the effects remain convincing. For 1933, this film was WAY ahead of it's time.
As with the other films in Universal's initial batch of horror classics released to DVD (all available in the 8 disc boxset Classic Monsters Collection), this DVD features quality extras. The main features are the running commentary track from film historian Rudy Behlmer, and a 35 minute documentary that details the making of the film (as well as providing a good overview of director James Whale's career).
Movie Review: An Allegory of the Outcasts of Society
Summary: 4 Stars
Jack Griffin is a brilliant scientist who has some ideas that his peers think dangerous and unethical. Not one to be dissuaded, Griffin successfully experiments on himself, becoming the first human to be rendered invisible. Unfortunately, prolonged invisibility--or possibly the invisibility drug itself, as his peers had warned--begins to deteriorate Griffin's mind, and he soon becomes a power-hungry killer bent on revenge.Though rarely seen in the film due to the special effects and costuming demanded by the part, Claude Rains does a dynamic job in the role of Jack Griffin. His gravelly voice and vocal histrionics serve perfectly in delivering to the audience Griffin's descent into emotional hell. And James Whale's direction is as brilliant as ever, creating the appropriate mood and atmosphere as we follow a madman's ravaging of the English countryside.
One of only four Horror films directed by James Whale for Universal, THE INVISIBLE MAN is a work that some historians and critics regard as a veiled allegory of the director's own publically covert homosexuality. While FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN also depict societal outcasts in a sympathetic light, the eponymous character in THE INVISIBLE MAN is a character in a situation that is most like Whale's own--a respected genius in the public eye, but a person whose true self must remain invisible.
Even if you don't buy that particular historical perspective, THE INVISIBLE MAN still works as an allegory of any societal pariah. We all have traits that we sometimes hide from others; we all have masks that we wear. And at the times when we dwell on the things we keep hidden behind those masks, we may feel just a little "invisible" to others. So in watching THE INVISIBLE MAN, Jack Griffin becomes a metaphor for our own private identities, and we care about what happens to him. As with many of Whale's films, this pathos for the protagonist becomes a skeleton on which hangs the overall plot.
Compared to contemporary movies, the special effects in this film might seem a little dated. But the script is good, the directing is great, and the acting is superb. Anyone who enjoyes a well-crafted movie certainly won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: Great old flick
Summary: 4 Stars
If you don't read the credits, you'd swear The Invisible Man is Colin Clive, the original Dr. Frankenstein. They both have the same insane mannerisms. Maybe that has something to do with director James Whale who directed both.Great movie. For 1933 the special effects qar every good. And check out The Invisible Man's mentor, it's the angel Clarance from 'It's a Wonderful Life'!
Check out the part when they finally catch him. The Invisible Man is only Invisible when he's completely naked right? Of course! But when he's running through the snow and the cops shoot him, check out the footprints. They are obviously prints made by a pair of shoes!!
Not too scary for kids, so the whole family can enjoy it.