There's a lurking feeling that somewhere along the production line, nervous studio types ordered changes to make the movie more commercial.
Igor (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:85
Fresh:30
Rotten:55
Average Rating:4.8/10
Consensus: With an animation style that apes Tim Burton, and a slew of cultural references that aren't clear enough to reach the crowds, Igor's patched together antics make it hard to see who the film is trying to please.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some thematic elements, scary images, action and mild language.
Runtime: 87 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release:10-10-2008
Synopsis:
In a land of mad scientists and diabolical inventions, what do you do when you’re born with a hunch on your back?
You become an Igor.
A hilarious twist on the classic monster movie, "Igor"...
In a land of mad scientists and diabolical inventions, what do you do when you’re born with a hunch on your back?
You become an Igor.
A hilarious twist on the classic monster movie, "Igor" tells the story of one Igor who's sick of being a lowly lab assistant with a Yes Master's degree and dreams of becoming a scientist. When his cruel master kicks the bucket a week before the annual Evil Science Fair, Igor finally gets his chance.
With the help of two of his experimental creations - Brain, a brain in a jar who's a little light on brains, and Scamper, a cynical bunny brought back from being road kill, Igor embarks on building the most evil invention of all time, a huge, ferocious monster. Unfortunately, instead of turning out evil, the monster turns out as Eva, a giant aspiring actress who wouldn't hurt a fly.
Just when the load on his back can't get any heavier, Igor and his band of monstrous misfits uncover an evil plot that threatens their world. Now, they must fight to save it and prove that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Featuring the voice talents of John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon and Christian Slater, "Igor" is the must-see family comedy of the fall.
Igor is directed by award-winning animation veteran Tony Leondis (Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch) and written by Chris McKenna ("American Dad!"). Exodus Film Group CEO John D. Eraklis produces along with seasoned animation executive and Exodus president Max Howard who has collaborated on such animated blockbusters as Disney's Lion King and Aladdin, and Warner Bros.' Space Jam and The Iron Giant. --© MGM
Starring: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge
Starring: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Eddie Izzard, Jay Leno, James Lipton, Molly Shannon, Christian Slater
Director: Tony Leondis
Director: Tony Leondis
Screenwriter: Chris McKenna
Producer: John D. Eraklis, Max Howard
Composer: Patrick Doyle
Studio: MGM
Reviews for Igor
But there’s not much form to the plot which develops in fits and starts. Nevertheless, those kids that weren’t confused appeared to enjoy it, so there you go.
Igor's leaden plotting, miscast voiceovers and tasteless one-liners are likely to leave every member of the family wishing this creation had never been born.
You do feel that, with it’s knowing one-liners and classic movie references, Igor is trying terribly hard to amuse an adult audience, possibly at the expense of children it should be entertaining.
This film is outclassed by the Pixar stable, but it's entertaining stuff for the children.
It’s spirited and funny in its better moments, and gives a sly spin to the clichés rather than just parroting them wholesale.
Igor is a bit of a Franken-toon itself, stitching grown-up gags to a Disneyfied storyline (beauty is on the inside; don’t step on others to get ahead; yada yada yada) while lurching wildly from one age group to the other.
It's fatally split between catering for children who won't understand most of the references, and adults who will find it garish and relentlessly noisy.
This dark-toned animation borrows its style from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride without adding much of its own to the macabre mayhem.
Young children might find it a bit difficult to understand and adults too easy.
If you've not been prepared by Ratatouille, the film's periodic darkness may be quite astonishing.
Enjoyable animated comedy with likeable characters, impressive animation and some good gags, though it runs out of steam towards the end.
Sweet-natured but saddled with strained wisecracking humor and over-busy plotting, Igor never quite manages to shake off a feeling of familiarity.
As far as goes its ability to stifle the young imagination, Igor has no recent competitor.
Igor celebrates a defiantly adolescent and suitably caricatured vision of mortality with the potential to have adults and special young malcontents in stitches.
Latest News for Igor
September 22, 2008:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Jackson Debuts Ahead of the Race
Movies were serious business this weekend with drama, Lakeview Terrace, heading the box office hands down while comedies My Best Friend's Girl, Igor, and Ghost Town trail... More...
September 18, 2008:
Critics Consensus: Lakeview Terrace Isn't Sturdy; Igor Lacks Brains
This week at the movies, we've got an angry cop (Lakeview Terrace, starring Samuel L. Jackson); a disgruntled hunchback (the CGI Igor with voice work by John Cusack and Molly... More...
September 18, 2008:
Box Office Guru Preview: Sam and Dane Face Off With New Pics
Another four-pack of films heads into the multiplexes on Friday only this time there are some choices for the under-25 set. Leading the way are the Samuel L. Jackson cop film... More...
September 11, 2008:
The artwork isn't particularly inspiring . . . ![]()
More...
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