Minor spoiler!
Frankenweenie is Tim Burtons second feature this year, following Dark Shadows.
With Dark Shadows the some of it's parts were greater than the whole. Ironically Frankenweenie is made up of many great (body) parts and set-pieces - yet the whole has not been forgotten (and is evidently more satisfying)!
With Dark Shadows the some of it's parts were greater than the whole. Ironically Frankenweenie is made up of many great (body) parts and set-pieces - yet the whole has not been forgotten (and is evidently more satisfying)!
Frankenweenie sees Burton return to a (live-action) short he made at the start of his career.
It tells the story of a young boy named Victor, a resident of New Holland who lives with his parents and dog, Sparky.
It tells the story of a young boy named Victor, a resident of New Holland who lives with his parents and dog, Sparky.
After an unfortunate incident, Victor decides to put his interest in science to the best use possible - and bring his dog back to the world of the living!
The New Holland Science Fair is just 'round the corner and the competition is high!
It's not long before Victors secret experiment is running 'round town again. Once news of Sparkys revival hits the school, Victors classmates see the success as a sure-fire winner for the science prize. A handful of the more dastardly kids go about replicating Victors experiment - with breathtaking results!
Anyone who has seen The Nightmare Before Christmas or Corpse Bride, will be familiar with Burtons specific style of animation. Burtons characters have a distinct aesthetic which rarely changes from film to film. His characters are weird-looking and somewhat vulgar, yet they retain a certain warmth and are always sympathetic.
The voice cast must be given credit for imbuing such hideous characters with said humanity.
Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short head the voice cast, playing Mrs and Mr Frankenstein respectively. They also lend their talents to a handful of other characters from the cast - a task perfectly suited to these two comedians.
The stand-out for me is Martin Landau as Mr Rzykruski - Victors science teacher. It could be argued that Mr Rzykruski is one of the more scary-looking characters from the film - and as an adult teaching kids, that would stand to reason.
Mr Rzykruski is incredibly passionate about science however and his love for teaching and telling children the truth is infectious. As an older man, Mr Rzykruski has wisdom in abundance and is more than willing to pass on what he's learnt to pupils such as Victor. Many morals are learnt through this character alone and Landaus Vincent Price-like delivery is charming!
The voice cast must be given credit for imbuing such hideous characters with said humanity.
Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short head the voice cast, playing Mrs and Mr Frankenstein respectively. They also lend their talents to a handful of other characters from the cast - a task perfectly suited to these two comedians.
The stand-out for me is Martin Landau as Mr Rzykruski - Victors science teacher. It could be argued that Mr Rzykruski is one of the more scary-looking characters from the film - and as an adult teaching kids, that would stand to reason.
Mr Rzykruski is incredibly passionate about science however and his love for teaching and telling children the truth is infectious. As an older man, Mr Rzykruski has wisdom in abundance and is more than willing to pass on what he's learnt to pupils such as Victor. Many morals are learnt through this character alone and Landaus Vincent Price-like delivery is charming!
Frankenweenie is shot in black and white rather than colour (undoubtedly echoing the era of film and television Burton grew up on).
Ed Wood is my favourite Tim Burton movie and I welcome the return to black and white. As with Ed Wood it honours film-making from the 1940's/50's, with particular references to that period of time.
It would be interesting to know whether the black and white element of Frankenweenie affected it's box office in any way. I'm guessing the 3D version (unseen) may have gone some way to compensate for anyone insisting on technicolour?!
My main criticism of Dark Shadows was that it was another adaptation for Burton. Frankenweenie may be an adaptation of his own work, but it's a welcome return to original material for a man with such creative vision.
4/5
It would be interesting to know whether the black and white element of Frankenweenie affected it's box office in any way. I'm guessing the 3D version (unseen) may have gone some way to compensate for anyone insisting on technicolour?!
My main criticism of Dark Shadows was that it was another adaptation for Burton. Frankenweenie may be an adaptation of his own work, but it's a welcome return to original material for a man with such creative vision.
4/5
Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com/
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