In this battle of science fiction films, you must decide between the humorous Young Frankenstein or the horror/thriller The Thing.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
- Directed by: Mel Brooks
- Written by: Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks, Mary Shelley (novel “Frankenstein”)
- Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr, Gene Hackman
- Rotten Tomatoes
- Critics: 94%
- Audience: 91%
Mel Brooks, the comedic genius behind such classics as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, wrote and directed this parody of Mary Shelley’s famous book, Frankenstein. Shot in black and white to simulate the feeling of a classic horror movie, Young Frankenstein follows the footsteps of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder), pronounced “Fronkensteen,” the grandson of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. After inheriting his family’s estate in Transylvania, Frankenstein travels to Europe where he is met by his faithful servant Igor (Marty Feldman), pronounced “eye-gor”, his lab assistant Inga (Teri Garr), and the housekeeper Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman). From there, Dr. Frankenstein tries to debunk the myths, and truths, surrounding his grandfather’s work. Frankenstein attempts to duplicate his grandfather’s experiment, but with many mishaps occurring, such as using an abnormal brain in the creation of his monster, much hilarity ensues throughout the course of the film. A guest cameo from Gene Hackman is one of the most memorable scenes from this classic comedy.
The Thing (1982)
- Directed by: John Carpenter
- Written by: John W. Campbell Jr. (story), Bill Lancaster (screenplay)
- Starring: Kurt Russell, A. Wilford Brimley, Keith David
- Rotten Tomatoes
- Critics: 80%
- Audience: 88%
John Carpenter (director of Halloween, Escape from New York, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live) re-created the classic 1951 film The Thing from Another World with his 1982 version of The Thing. The story begins with an American scientific expedition (led by Kurt Russell and Keith David) in Antarctica seemingly under attack by a group of crazed Norwegians. Chasing, and shooting at, a dog from their helicopter, the Norwegians are soon killed and whole ordeals become but a mysterious sense of foreboding for the American expedition. That night, after all the commotion dies down, the dog (the one the Norwegians were chasing) mutates, attacking and killing other dogs at the camp, as well as a few members of the expedition. The group soon realizes that an alien life-form is loose in their camp and they have no idea what it looks like or who it has already taken over. They must work together, while also being wary of one another, to fight this creature before their times runs out.
Vote now for your favorite movie: Young Frankenstein or The Thing
I personally like Blazing Saddles better than Young Frankenstein, both of which are below History of the World Part 1 on my "best Mel Brooks movies" list.
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