This is an interesting version of the familiar Frankenstein story, this time told from the perspective of his lab assistant, Igor (Daniel Radcliffe). At the start of the film he's working at a circus in London as a lowly hunchback. When the woman trapeze artist, Lorelei, falls and breaks some bones, he goes out to help her and is assisted by Victor (James McAvoy), who is in the crowd. Victor sees that this man is as knowledgeable as a trained doctor and rescues him from the cruel circus. They barely get away and in the process someone dies. So now the police are after them.
Back at his lab, which is in an old building in the middle of the city, Victor informs his new assistant that he's not a hunchback-that it's just a big untreated cyst that needs to be drained. He does this and also fits him out with a back brace so now he can walk upright. He also gives the man a name-Igor-after his missing roommate. Igor is much more grounded and knows when Victor goes overboard, such as when he reanimates a chimpanzee. He's also against him re-animated a human, which causes their falling out and Victor proceeding on his own. But int he end Igor has to go and try and stop him-but it's too late-and we see the monstrous creation, which is pretty impressive looking, sort of like a sewn up version of the Hulk.
The best thing I can compare this movie to is DRACULA UNTOLD. The story is familiar but changed around enough to make it interesting again. It's somewhat light in tone and fast moving but captures the spirit of a mad scientist gone crazy. It's also a lot like Stuart Gordon's RE-ANIMATOR, which I'm sure was an influence. Recommended.