Young Frankenstein: Special Edition (UK)

For the sake of any person who has been in a movie-viewing coma, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is the story of Frederick Frankenstein ("It`s Fron-Kon-Steen..."), heir to his grandfather`s castle, scientific secrets and bizarre legacy. In Transylvania, Frederick will come to terms with the mysterious blueprints for reanimating life, and come to grips with his lovely new lab assistant, played by Teri Garr, all while his bug-eyed manservant Igor ("It`s Eye-Gor") steals brains, shifts his adjustable hunchback and hits on Frankenstein`s fiancée (Madeline Kahn).

After Igor nicks a less than acceptable brain for the freshly exhumed corpse, Frankenstein brings his subject back to life--but not to the degree of success he was hoping for. The monster, as played by Peter Boyle, is a tenderhearted, somewhat oafish but easily provoked creature, prone to getting his temper up (amongst other things). He is certainly not the invigorated genius Frederick was counting on.

The lion`s share of this movie`s success is owed to the chemistry and interchangeability of its stars. At any given moment, Gene Wilder`s `Frederick` can play off of Marty Feldman`s `Igor`, Peter Boyle`s monster or the crazy Inspector, played by Kenneth Mars, and still hit the joke right between the eyes. Then, any one of the supporting characters can bounce off another and, once more, the joke is a keeper. Just how much of this is owed to the actors, and how much to the Oscar-nominated script (by Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks) is hard to say, but whatever the ingredient was, it worked.

To sum it all up, buy the YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN DVD because you love the movie, enjoy classic comedy, and want it in its optimum form, not for the extras.

Actually, that`s good advice for any DVD purchase.