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There's no word yet on whether there will be another entry in the Underworld franchise, but until we find out, series co-creator Kevin Grevioux is attempting to satiate fans' thirst for more stylized action-horror hybrid antics by bringing us I, Frankenstein, which molds Mary Shelley's classic monster into a 21st century superhero.

The Plot

Picking up near the end of Shelley's tale with Victor Frankenstein pursuing his monstrous creation (Aaron Eckhart) to the North Pole, we find that the doctor has frozen to death, and the creature brings his body back to Europe (presumably Switzerland, although everyone has English accents) to bury him in the Frankenstein family cemetery.

The monster's return, however, triggers interest from two rival bands of supernatural entities he didn't know existed: demons and the Gargoyle Order, an angelic race tasked with sending Earth-bound demons back to Hell.

The fact that a human -- not God -- was able to create life piques the interest of demon prince Naberius (Bill Nighy), who has nefarious plans for the creation. Gargoyle queen Leonore (Miranda Otto), meanwhile, wants to recruit his strength and fighting skills in the war against the demons. The monster, whom Leonore dubs Adam, chooses instead to retreat into a world of solitude and remains in the wilderness for more than 200 years.

Weary of being on the run from Naberius' perpetually interloping underlings, however, Adam decides to return to modern-day Europe to track down the demon prince and put an end to his mysterious scheme once and for all. Against his better judgment, he becomes embroiled in the centuries-old battle between demons and gargoyles, never really trusting or pleasing either side, and meets a modern-day Dr.

Frankenstein, scientist Terra Wade (Yvonne Strahovski), who could be the key to him finding his purpose in life.

The End Result

No one will accuse I, Frankenstein of sticking slavishly to its source material. It's a turbo-charged adaptation of Shelley's story that plays like a superhero origin story, down to Adam's Batman-like growl of a voice and his climactic rooftop declaration that he's dedicated to fighting evil. The concept behind the reinvention of the horror icon -- drawing him into a larger supernatural world -- is promising, but ultimately, the film falls flat by relying on tired action clichés, a predictable plot, sterile CGI effects and uninspired action set pieces.

No one expects high art from a popcorn movie like this, but at the very least you'd hope for some cool visuals and nifty, trailer-worthy action. Sadly, though, it just comes off as Remedial Blockbuster Action 101, trotting out every expected action trope. The female lead stitching up the wounded male hero while struggling to control her loins? Check. The villain lashing out violently against a lackey who's reporting bad news? Check. SLOOOOOW MO? You better believe it!

If these scenes don't make you groan, the script's head-scratching logic surely will. At several points in the film, you'll find yourself asking things like, "So, he can't feel the cold of the North Pole, but he can feel the pain of a scratch on his back?" And then you'll remember that you don't care enough to try to make sense of it all.

Eckhart is a fine actor, but his chiseled features are too traditionally handsome for this role, and as an action hero (at least, with this script), he comes off as lifeless -- which, despite him playing a corpse, doesn't help a film that ends up as this year's Jonah Hex.

The Skinny

• Acting: C (A good cast delivers standard blockbuster action-type performances.)
• Direction: C- (Flashy but lacking a coolness and a distinct look -- both of which Underworld did well -- ultimately dull.)
• Script: D+ (An interesting concept, but predictable and rife with nonsensical elements.)
• Gore/Effects: C (Competent but sterile CGI.)
• Overall: C- (A promising premise wasted in a generic regurgitation of action clichés.)

I, Frankenstein is directed by Stuart Beattie and is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of intense fantasy action and violence throughout. Release date: January 24, 2014.