Igor Movie Review
An Under-appreciated Classic Animation Full of Originality, Witt and Social Commentary
Igor is a very interested animated film. The film was not well received by the critics of its day. I find this extremely puzzling, as Igor is one of the most innovative and original animated films of the era. Igor touches on issues that are usually passed over by studios in favor of safer and more conservative topics.
Igor stands out as an oddity as it addresses some very charged political issues in the fantasy world of Malaria, issues which were echoed in the real human world of the twenty-first century. The goal of the inhabits of Malaria is to be evil and many, like Igor (John Cusack), aspire to be evil scientists. What makes it all so wildly humorous is that they acknowledge this evil and embrace it with glee. Originally Malaria was a peaceful agricultural society but climate change has turned the citizens of Malaria into evil and war obsessed individuals fixed on "Evil Scientist Competitions" designed to showcase new weapons systems, with each evil scientist hoping to win the contest and in the process increase their celebrity.
It is important to note that Igor, while a brilliant inventor, belongs to a slave cast of Igors. They are all hunchbacks and are all known as Igors, it is quite clever. Igor is the slave of an evil scientist Doctor Glickenstein played by John Cleese. When Glickenstein does otherwise deposed Igor takes it upon himself to invent an incredible weapon, a massive monster he makes in a Frankensteinian manner. Igor fails to active her "evil bone" instead prompting his creation, Eva, to be peaceful and loving. Eva is played quite well by Molly Shannon who demonstrates considerable range with this role.
Igor, Eva and Igor's previous creations Brain (Sean Hayes) and Scamper (Steve Buscemi) set off on a very entertaining adventure, that defies many of the cliched norms of the genre and defies expectations. Igor was a vastly under-appreciated animated classic that would only later be discovered by audiences. Ultimately, however, perhaps the failure of audiences to appreciate Igor was a good thing, for it eliminated the possibility of sequels and allowed the film to stand as a thoughtful, imaginative and unique work.
Story (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) A
Acting (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) A (Wonderful voice performances add a great deal to Igor.)
Human Portrayal of machines and Robots A (Machines and artificial life are seen as being extremely powerful in Igor.)
Contribution to the Extinction of Man Grade D (Igor pointed to the dangers of weapons and societies obsessed with weapons. Had the film achieved greater success perhaps it could have had some sort of impact.)
Enjoyability Grade (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) A (Igor is one of the best animated films of the era. It broke with convention, had a clever and innovative script, was entertaining, was often beautiful to look at and was laced with powerful social commentary. Igor stands as one of the most consistently overlooked films of the early twenty-first century.)
Primitive Home Theater/HD Factor C
Overall Innovation (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) A
Overall Grade (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) A (Igor was a film that deserved much accolades and yet received few.)
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