In the land of Malaria, you are either a somebody or a nobody. The biggest somebodies are the evil scientists and the nobodies are their loyal hunchback assistants. But one unlikely inventor is about to change everything... Meet Igor, a talented hunchback who’s determined to prove his worth at the annual Evil Science Fair. With help from his wise-cracking sidekicks Scamper, a grumpy lab rabbit, and the not so brainy Brain, he plans to create the greatest invention the world has ever seen and win first prize. However the fiendish Dr Schadenfreude is also making plans: to steal Igor’s crazy creation and take over all Malaria. Can Igor and friends stop him and truly save the day...?

Igor is a witty, colourful, dark movie, with jokes aimed at children and adults alike. It has everything needed for good entertainment; friendship, love, baddies, good music and a good storyline, albeit a fairly predictable one.

Once a sunny, happy village, Malaria is now under new rule, and one that is turning evil scientists into rich tycoons. With the annual evil science fair on the horizon, Dr Glickenstein is killed while testing his own invention. He leaves behind his hunchback slave, Igor.

In order for Igor to compete in the fair he keeps his master's death a secret in the hope that he will win and become Malaria’s evilest Doctor. With the help of his sidekicks, Scamper, an immortal rabbit and Brain, a brain in a jar, Igor builds a huge monstrous being known as Eva. After he brings Eva to life, Igor realises that she is not evil, instead she is an aspiring Hollywood actress. To overcome this, Igor tells her she is going to audition for the role of Annie in the hope that she will crush all of the other inventions who stand in her way.

Obviously this is going to be compared to Disney and Pixar animated movies, which have set the benchmark for others to follow. I have to say that while entertaining, Igor is not quite up to that standard.

This film also reminded me very much of the style of a Tim Burton animation but, again, Igor is not nearly as entertaining or as dark as one of Burton's tales. Having said that the soundtrack is excellent, featuring everything from classic rhythm and blues to retro swing.

John Cusack does a brilliant job as the voice of Igor and certainly brings life to him, making Igor a loveable and funny character. I can’t help wondering if this film would have garnered the same amount of media attention if it wasn't for the impressive line up of well known actors.

I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Eva rehearsing for the part of Annie (especially as I'm a fan of Annie) she even gets the red dress and red hair to match for the part and thought this was well thought out for the older generation who may be watching, unfortunately, it will be lost on youngsters who have never seen Annie.

As with most animated movies, there is of course a moral to the story. In this case the moral is about good beating evil; that everyone has an evil bone in their body but it’s whether they choose to use it or not. Quite apt for this day and age, I thought.

While not up to the standard of other animated features, I would still recommend this as a good family movie which everyone will be able to appreciate on different levels.

7

Helena Rea