Rating: 
Summary: He may be invisible, but The Invisible Man is a must-see
Review: The Invisible Man is one of the most impressive Universal "monster" films of the 1930s, a motion picture masterpiece still as vibrant and engaging now as it was in 1933. It is also a representative of the rarest of movies - one which succeeds much better than the novel upon which it was based. Don't get me wrong - H.G. Wells was a brilliant writer, one of the two founding fathers of science fiction, but The Invisible Man left me as cold as the invisible man must have felt running around naked in the bitterly cold countryside. The invisible man is thoroughly unlikable in the novel, much more so than he is here. A running time of just 71 minutes and a brilliant tour de force of a film debut by Claude Raines make Jack Griffin a fascinating albeit quite mad character who never completely turns the viewer off with his misguided antics. Of course, the sword cuts both ways. In the novel, one gets a much deeper appreciation of the pain and struggle the man faces trying to restore himself to visibility. In the movie, the transition to raving megalomaniac occurs much more quickly, with several palliative dashes of humor thrown into the mix early on. There isn't that much to the story, really. A man wrapped in bandages and clothed in a long overcoat, glasses, and hat suddenly enters the Lion's Head pub and inn one snowy night demanding a room. He makes it very clear that he wants privacy and soon begins performing chemical experiments. The fellow is a scientist named Jack Griffin (Claude Rains), a young chap who, after five years of private work, discovered the secret of invisibility; unfortunately for him, he has yet to figure out an antidote, as becomes evident when he begins to shed his clothes and bandages - yep, the title was right, he really is the invisible man. Now most fellows, were they to become invisible, would probably run right out and try to see the girl next door in her birthday suit, but Griffin is different. That special ingredient in the potion tends to make a person just a little bit insane, and Griffin has already begun forming plans to get filthy rich and make the world grovel at his invisible feet. His surly attitude and just plain weirdness soon get him evicted, and soon his secret is out. He has a jolly good time playing pranks on local villagers, but his pranks soon turn to mass murder. The police dragnet is fun to watch (it isn't easy to catch an invisible man), but the movie takes a continually darker tone as the inevitable conclusion approaches. I am of the belief that the story of The Invisible Man really doesn't teach any sort of lesson with it, although others are certainly free to voice their own interpretations of the story. Griffin is just too disagreeable to teach me anything (apart from the ubiquitous "don't meddle in God's domain" thing). The special effects in the film are actually quite amazing. Many of them are rather simple but well-done, and the central bits featuring clothes walking around on their own serve the story very well indeed. There is one scene featuring a pair of pants skipping down the road accompanied by Griffin singing the kind of ditty a madman might be prone to sing that is absolutely priceless. Alongside Dracula and Frankenstein, The Invisible Man completes the threesome of truly must-see 1930s Universal "monster" films, even though we all know it's really pure science fiction and not horror.
Rating:
Summary: He may be invisible, but The Invisible Man is a must-see
Review: The Invisible Man is one of the most impressive Universal "monster" films of the 1930s, a motion picture masterpiece still as vibrant and engaging now as it was in 1933. It is also a representative of the rarest of movies - one which succeeds much better than the novel upon which it was based. Don't get me wrong - H.G. Wells was a brilliant writer, one of the two founding fathers of science fiction, but The Invisible Man left me as cold as the invisible man must have felt running around naked in the bitterly cold countryside. The invisible man is thoroughly unlikable in the novel, much more so than he is here. A running time of just 71 minutes and a brilliant tour de force of a film debut by Claude Raines make Jack Griffin a fascinating albeit quite mad character who never completely turns the viewer off with his misguided antics. Of course, the sword cuts both ways. In the novel, one gets a much deeper appreciation of the pain and struggle the man faces trying to restore himself to visibility. In the movie, the transition to raving megalomaniac occurs much more quickly, with several palliative dashes of humor thrown into the mix early on. There isn't that much to the story, really. A man wrapped in bandages and clothed in a long overcoat, glasses, and hat suddenly enters the Lion's Head pub and inn one snowy night demanding a room. He makes it very clear that he wants privacy and soon begins performing chemical experiments. The fellow is a scientist named Jack Griffin (Claude Rains), a young chap who, after five years of private work, discovered the secret of invisibility; unfortunately for him, he has yet to figure out an antidote, as becomes evident when he begins to shed his clothes and bandages - yep, the title was right, he really is the invisible man. Now most fellows, were they to become invisible, would probably run right out and try to see the girl next door in her birthday suit, but Griffin is different. That special ingredient in the potion tends to make a person just a little bit insane, and Griffin has already begun forming plans to get filthy rich and make the world grovel at his invisible feet. His surly attitude and just plain weirdness soon get him evicted, and soon his secret is out. He has a jolly good time playing pranks on local villagers, but his pranks soon turn to mass murder. The police dragnet is fun to watch (it isn't easy to catch an invisible man), but the movie takes a continually darker tone as the inevitable conclusion approaches. I am of the belief that the story of The Invisible Man really doesn't teach any sort of lesson with it, although others are certainly free to voice their own interpretations of the story. Griffin is just too disagreeable to teach me anything (apart from the ubiquitous "don't meddle in God's domain" thing). The special effects in the film are actually quite amazing. Many of them are rather simple but well-done, and the central bits featuring clothes walking around on their own serve the story very well indeed. There is one scene featuring a pair of pants skipping down the road accompanied by Griffin singing the kind of ditty a madman might be prone to sing that is absolutely priceless. Alongside Dracula and Frankenstein, The Invisible Man completes the threesome of truly must-see 1930s Universal "monster" films, even though we all know it's really pure science fiction and not horror.
Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST UNIVERSAL HORROR CREATION EVER!
Review: The Invisible man stands head and shoulders above Dracula, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein and the Creature of Black Lagoon. If this movie was only made a year ago, the story, acting and (of course) the special effects would still astound audiences. Claude reins was born to play the roll of the Invisible man and he does it absolutely Brilliantly. This is easily one of the best films ever.
Rating:
Summary: Rains at his best
Review: The movie starts on a snowy night with a man, bandages around his head, a fake looking nose and dark glasses, looking for a place to stay. The film has the expressive voice of Claude Rains who is driven mad by the side effects of the invisibility drug. After killing a policeman, he becomes a hunted man. (I learned from one of the extras on the DVD that Boris Karloff was originally offered the role.) The effects are impressive (explained in the extras) where Rains removes his glasses to reveal nothing at all. The film offers plenty of humor e.g., shirt dancing around and a pair of pants chasing a woman down the road.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive Early Horror Film
Review: The original INVISBLE MAN is now 70 years old, and obviously it shows some age by being a bit static and talky. Overall, however, I was pretty impressed with how enjoyable it is in light of today's action movies. The film was directed by James Whale, who made "Frankenstein" and was the subject of "Gods and Monsters." Claude Rains, in his first major role, plays a scientist who meddles with invisibility. His experiments work, except now he can't reverse the results, and he's slowing going mad. Gloria Stuart (old Rose from Titanic) plays his love interest who tries to talk him back to sanity. The special effects still work pretty well - apparently the invisiblity scenes were filmed by having Rains in a black velvet body stocking and filmed in front of a black velvet backdrop (an early precursor to our bluescreen special effects). Some of the acting is pretty hammy but doesn't detract too much from the main story. Finally, it's a surprisingly humorous movie - I laughed out loud more than once! Highly recommended for fans of early horror films and classic films in general.
Rating:
Summary: Yep, It's a Classic
Review: The viewer from San Pedro is right. Over all those years, this film has held up and still fascinates. Not only is it based on a story by the great H.G. Wells, but it very nicely brings out the other meaning of being "invisible" -- not knowing the nature and power of your "hidden" self.
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece from director Whale
Review: This adaptation of HG Wells's novella has everything: A great script by RC Sherriff; an exemplary cast headed up by then-unknown Rains in the title role, who has the perfect vocal presence for the part; some irresistibly funny humour; thrills and suspense; and fairly impressive special effects for its era. Whale generates just the right atmosphere from the opening shots, and the story's English setting is a delight in his capable hands.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: This is a great gem from the period. This movie stands all on its own and is one of the best of the 30's. I also love the Lady Inn keeper as she adds a bit of comic to the movie. A must for your collection!
Rating:
Summary: One of Universal's finest
Review: This is a solid classic that stands alongside Dracula and Frankenstein as Universal's best horror films. Claude Reins, unseen until the end, is a scientist who has expierimented with chemicals and managed to turn himself invisible and go off in the head at the same time. Reins flees the people who know him and sets up his lab in a small town. While trying to discover a solution he is discovered and he proceeds to disrobe and take off to start a reign of terror and it is up to the polic to find a way to stop him. The special effects are fantastic for the time and the quality of this film is better than ever. Good supprting cast except Gloria Stewert is very weak in her part as the invisible man's girlfriend. The bits of humor in this film are very well done. My only complaints are that the ending is a little hurried and I wish the new release had the original trailer like a lot of the other Universal releases, but other than that this is a great film that has not diminished with age.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Monster Movie Thriller
Review: This movie is 1 of of the 6 classic monsters i saw it 3 in a half years ago on AMC'S Monster fest 2000
not that bad of a movie i liked it then i kept seeing it pop up on AMC throughout the weeks to come .. its really hit the spot light of Special Effects and even a little bitta humor in the movie i like it and i think every1 should buy the private collection movie of this classic universal SHOCKER
|
