DVD Review - Frankenstein vs The Mummy

Frankenstein vs The Mummy
Director: Damien Leone
Starring: Max Rhyser, Ashton Leigh, Brandon DeSpain, Constantin Tripes, Robert MacNaughton
Studio: Image Entertainment
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Retail: $27.98
ASIN: B00P8LS5PI
Running Time: 114 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Throughout the 1930s and the 1940s, Universal Studios released many monster movie series, including Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy and The Wolf Man. The films became so popular that the studios eventually made three crossover matchups (Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula). The unrelated House Of The Wolf Man was releaed in 2009. Image Entertainment will unleashed Frankenstein vs The Mummy on DVD and Digital Download on February 10th! The film was written and directed by Damien Leone and stars Max Rhyser, Ashton Leigh, Brandon DeSpain, Constantin Tripes and Robert MacNaughton. The only Special Feature is an Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Damien Leone and Cinematographer George Steuber.

Frankenstein Vs. The Mummy centers on an Egyptiologist Naihla Khaul (played by Ashton Leigh), who returns to the Univeristy along the mummy of an Egyptian pharoah that she discovered. She is reunited with her on and off again lover, Dr. Victor Frankenstein (played by Max Rhyser), who is secretly performing dangerous experments in his attempt to re-animate a corpse.

While examining the mummy, Professor Walton (played by Boomer Tibbs) is accidently exposed to a gas-like substance that allows the mummy (played by Brandon deSpain) to take control of him. He helps the mummy gain strength by luring innocent victims towards the mummy, whom devours their flesh. After seeing a photo of Dr. Khaul, the mummy is convinced that she is the sorcerer that cursed him years ago and the mummy is determined to extract his revenge.

Dr. Frankenstein's attempt to re-animate living flesh almost comes to a halt when the brain he was going to use gets smashed, so he has no choice but to use the brain of a madman. His creation is beyond anything he could hope for. The creature (played by Constantin Tripes) quickly picks up words and understands exactly what Dr. Frankenstein has done. Once the creature sees Dr. Khaul, it develops an obessession with her.

With the Mummy seeking Dr. Khaul's blood and the creature loose on the campus, Dr. Frankeinstein must find a way to stop his creation, even if it means sacrificing his life.


I'm a sucker for any film that has Frankenstein or The Mummy in it, even the horrible ones, so naturally I was interested in reviewing Frankenstein vs The Mummy. Now this film isn't a big-budget CGI film, but instead it is a low-budget horror flick that relies on old-fashioned special effects and makeup. I have nothing against watching low-budget films, but several of them I reviewed last year just wasn't any good, so I was bit surprised by the decent cinematography in this film. Also, I was a bit surprised that the film is almost two hours long as most low-budget horror flicks are under ninety minutes. The writer/director must have a passion for the old monster films as it is a homage to Universal classics. Yes, there are a few plot holes and the acting can be a bit rubbish at times, but this didn't bother me as most horror movies have plot problems and bad acting anyway. Despite the title, don't expect a huge brawl between the Frankenstein's monster and the mummy, as the ending fight last about three minutes. Overall, I ended up liking Frankenstein vs. The Mummy more than I thought I would. No, it's not going to win any Academy Awards, but the film has plenty of blood and gore to satisfy most horror fans, myself included.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.