Don Lindich’s Sound Advice Blog

Igor
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Blu-ray Disc Review By Jerry Rutledge

Igor is a macabre and quirky, computer animated comedy, worth a rent especially if you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s animated work, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas or Corpse Bride.  The title character Igor (voiced by John Cusack) is a citizen of the make believe country of Malaria whose evil scientists compete each year to make the most evil invention.  The rest of the world must pay Malaria not to unleash its evil inventions.

The kind hearted Igor wants to be an evil inventor in a society in which Igor’s are second class citizens.  When Igor’s evil scientist master Dr. Glikenstein (voiced by John Cleese) blows himself up in an experiment gone wrong, Igor has a chance to make his own creation.  He is aided by two companions, Scamper (voiced by Steve Buscemi) an indestructible rabbit with a death wish, and the loyal but not to bright Brain in a Jar (voiced by Sean Hays).  He is opposed by snobby, evil scientist Shadenfreude (voiced by Eddie Izzard) and his sharp tongued, shape-shifting mistress Jaclyn (voiced by Jennifer Coolidge).  Igor’s creation Eva (voiced by Molly Shannon), a giant female Frankenstein who can speak eloquently, seems to turn out more good than evil, so Dr. Shadenfreude plots to unleash her evil side and use her to his own ends at the yearly evil scientist competition in a battle royale of evil inventions.  Igor and his companions must rescue Eva and expose Dr. Shadenfreude and what he represents.

The Disc includes in-film commentary by the produced, writer and director; an alternate opening in the form of a newsreel explaining the history of the country of Malaria; movie production art stills, storyboards and trailers.