In the 2008 computer-animated comedy IGOR, John Cusack provides the voice for the title character, one of many "Igors," whose sole purpose in life is to assist mad scientists in their diabolical experiments with a dutiful and mindless "Yes, master." When Cusack's bright, determined Igor strikes out on his own and creates the Frankenstein's-monster-like Eva (Molly Shannon), aided by a resurrected rabbit named Scamper (Steve Buscemi) and a mislabeled talking brain named Brian (Sean Hayes), his efforts incur the wrath of the winkingly monikered Dr. Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard), who is set on putting Igor back in his henchman slot of the horror hierarchy.
Directed by Tony Leonidas (LILO & STITCH 2: STITCH HAS A GLITCH), IGOR takes many of its macabre cues from horror-comedy classics THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, mixing monster-movie elements with moments of clever humor and generous amounts of slapstick. Although there are dark undercurrents in IGOR (see Buscemi's sarcastic, suicidal hare), the film generally sticks to a family-friendly misfit-makes-good theme, keeping it in the quirky vein of fellow CG-animation movies such as THE CORPSE BRIDE and MONSTERS, INC. While the cast is impressive (particularly the gloriously hammy Izzard), the surprisingly lively gothic-laboratory aesthetic of IGOR is its true star, with the playful visuals leaving plenty for both adults and children to marvel at.
DVD Features:
Region 1
2-Disc Set - Checkpoint, Sensormatic
Widescreen
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Surround 5.1 - English
Subtitles - English - Optional
Disc 1: IGOR Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes - Bloopers
Deleted Scenes
Trailers - 1. Forced Trailers: LABOU, DR. DOLITTLE: A TINSEL TOWN TAIL
2. Trailer Farm: GOOSEBUMPS
Disc 2: IGOR Widescreen
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes - Bloopers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes - 1. "Be an Igor" Contest Winners
Trailers - 1. Forced Trailers: CITY OF EMBER
2. Trailer Farm: ANGEL WARS: THE MESSENGERS, GARFIELD PET FORCE, LEGALLY BLONDES
Distributor Notes: This hilarious animated twist on the classic monster movie is must-see family fun! Determined to prove he can create his own diabolical invention, a mad scientist's (John Cleese) nice-guy assistant Igor (John Cusack) creates a female Franken-monster. But his creation, Eva (Molly Shannon), is sweet and sings show tunes! That is, until she falls into the clutches of Dr. Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard) and his shape-shifting girlfriend (Jennifer Coolidge). Now it's up to Igor and his sidekicks (Steve Buscemi and Sean Hayes) to save Eva - and their country - from real evildoers, including sneaky Prince Malpert (Jay Leno)!
Source: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Voice
Arsenio Hall: Talk Show Host/Actor
Voice
Christian Slater: American actor: TRUE ROMANCE (1993)
Voice
Eddie Izzard: British comic
Voice
James Lipton: Actor/screenwriter/choreographer/interviewer/author/producer
Voice
Jay Leno: Tonight Show host
Voice
Jennifer Coolidge:
Voice
John Cleese: British actor, MONTY PYTHON, A FISH CALLED WANDA
Voice
John Cusack: American actor, SAY ANYTHING/GROSSE POINTE BLANK
Voice
Molly Shannon: Actress, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Voice
Sean Hayes: American television actor, WILL & GRACE
Voice
Steve Buscemi: American Actor/Director/Screenwriter
Executive Producer
Jean-Luc de Fanti: Executive producer
Review 1:
"If Mel Brooks were to team up with Tim Burton, the result might be something like the loony and colorfully tantalizing animated film IGOR."
Source: USA Today
09/19/2008
Review 2:
"Clearly inspired by the dark-hearted stop-motion fables of Tim Burton...[a] fever-pitched computer-generated whizbang....The film's design is suitably cartoon Gothic..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
09/19/2008
Review 3:
3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's a compellingly oddball tale that should eventually find its niche as a minor late-night cult classic for NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS fans."
Source: Total Film
p.60 12/01/2008