Meet LISA FRANKENSTEIN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and digital from director Zelda Williams and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the introduction of LISA FRANKENSTEIN.

It is 1989 and Lisa Swallow (Kathryn Newton) is dealing with the axe murdering of her mother, dealing with dad Dale (Joe Chrest) and the new wife Janet (Carla Guigino) along with step-sister Taffy (Lisa Soberano). That’s kind of a lot, so Lisa spends her time in the Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery which is annoying to the family.

After a weird night out with Taffy, bumping into her crush Michael (Henry Eikenberry) and a near assault by fellow teen Doug (Bryce Romero), leads Lisa back to the cemetery. Sitting at the grave of someone who died in 1837, a bolt of lightening strikes and The Creature (Cole Sprouse) comes to life. He is a love-struck young man who died from a lightening strike as well! Following Lisa home, Lisa realizes who he is and she wants to help the newly risen zombie.

When Dad and Janet come home to a dirt and debris mess from The Creature, Lisa tells them a story to cover up the truth. Janet is up in arms and hurls accusations at Lisa which is going to cause step-mommy dearest problems. Lisa and The Creature begin to put him back together in the oddest ways with a bond forming between the two. It is a body building bond that can possibly last into the great beyond!

Newton as Lisa is a young woman who doesn’t quite fit in with the other kids. Once she realizes that lightening brings good things, it is time for her to find happiness in the oddest way. Newton is subtly funny and it still made me laugh a lot. Sprouse as The Creature gets the best job of groaning, walking like a zombie and body part hunting. His physical and facial performance is everything and it had me laughing knowing exactly what The Creature was trying “to say”. Sprouse knew the assignment and turned it in on time.

Guigino as Janet has serious control issues and a bit of OCD where her perfect house is concerned. She also has a hair up about Lisa and makes sure to be insulting with a smile on her face. Guigino proving she can be a good gal and a bad gal all in the same role.  Chrest as Dale just goes along to get along with wife Janet.

Soberano as Taffy is the ‘good’ daughter who is funny, charming and well-liked by the family. She is the only one that seems to treat Lisa with any care, even if it is a little over the top. Eikenberry as Michael is good-looking school boy who uses his charm to but in the wrong way to get the wrong results.  

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

Bonus Features on Bluray and DVD include Deleted Scenes: Get Me Out of Hell!, Knock Knock, Music Lovers, Incredible Friend, Breaking News, and Gag Reel. Also, Resurrecting the 1980’s - Set in 1989, LISA FRANKENSTEIN is a loving tribute to the wacky, tacky, yet totally awesome 80s. Every department of production embraced the stylized world Diablo Cody created in her script and brought their A-game to making this colorful world a reality.

An Electric Connection – While it's no easy feat to turn a 19th century dead guy into the perfect boyfriend, this piece explores Lisa and her charming Creature and what makes their relationship work. Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, and filmmakers explore how Lisa and Creature really need each other to truly thrive, why Creature is the “perfect man,” and Lisa’s choice at the end of the film.

And, A Dark Comedy Duo - Well-known for her ability to subvert genres, Diablo Cody delves into the inspiration behind LISA FRANKENSTEIN, what made her want to give the Frankenstein story a youthful, modern twist full of both horror and hilarity, and why Zelda Williams was the perfect choice to bring her story to life and Feature Commentary with Director Zelda Williams.

LISA FRANKENSTEIN is not only a fun comedy-horror film but surrounds itself in a bit of nostalgia in a time when the world wasn’t wrapped in technology. There are moments of laughter followed by jaw dropping fright without actually grossing me out. When the time comes for The Creature to do what he needs to, it is all in our heads, where it should be.

It is just all out fun actually and it is a film I have added to my Halloween binge watching collection. All good zombie/Frankenstein movies belong on that shelf because comedy and horror are absolutely fantastic separate and even more so together. So, prepare yourself for a new love story that will have you in stiches!

In the end – if you can’t meet your perfect boyfriend then make him!