Few directors' work is as unique or instantly recognizable as that of Tim Burton. Over the course of his lengthy career his name has become synonymous with his innate ability to fuse a gothic sensibility with an infectious sense of child-like wonder. His 2012 film Frankenweenie uses the director's signature offbeat charm to relay a unique story of love, loss, and hope that is guaranteed to soften even the hardest of hearts. This Halloween curl up with your favorite furry friend and enjoy viewing that is every bit as sweet and spooky as a night of trick-or-treating with Frankenweenie.
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| It's alive!! |
The story begins with young Victor showing his parents his latest labor of love; a home made monster movie starring his dog, Sparky. While introverted Victor is all too happy to devote his time to Sparky and his hobbies, his parents become concerned that he needs to spend more time with his classmates. In an effort to help him make friends, Victor's parents encourage him to play baseball with the neighborhood kids. Tragedy strikes, however, when Victor hits a home run only for Sparky to chase the ball into the street and in front of an oncoming car. Sparky is killed instantly, and devastated Victor spirals into a deep depression. Fate intervenes, however, when Victor's science teacher gives a lesson on electricity's ability to reanimate muscles. He then takes inspiration from his famous namesake and conducts an experiment that revives Sparky. The duo's happy reunion is threatened, however, when Victor's classmates discover Sparky's resurrection and scheme to use his discovery to conduct their own experiments at the upcoming school science fair. When his classmates' experiments go dangerously awry its up to Victor to save the day all while keeping Sparky's secret safe.
This classic tale of a boy and his dog showcases a goodhearted ghoulishness that is guaranteed to appeal to kids and adults alike. The film's off-kilter visuals place Burton's penchant for the weird and whimsical on full display while the sincere script ensures that viewers will be rooting for its oddball heroes every step of the way. The film's blend of style and substance strikes an ideal balance with enough quirky visuals and gothic references to satisfy even the most devoted of the director's fans while the universal tale of love and loss is sure to win over even the most skeptical of critics. Despite its macabre atmosphere and abundance of PG chills Frankenweenie is a film with a tender and beating heart that sets it apart from Burton's more recent, lackluster, efforts. At one point Victor's teacher says that experiments have the best results when there is love behind them; it's evident with every frame that Frankenweenie was created as a labor of love and the film is all the better for it.
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| Is there a vet in the house?! |
The surreal story rampages off of the screen thanks to the film's dazzling animation and engaging voice performances. The black and white cinematography adds to the eerie atmosphere and the expert use of light and shadow lends a spooky quality to the shadows lurking around every corner. The character designs recall the illustrations of Burton favorite Edward Gorey and nods to such horror classics as Frankenstein, Godzilla, and Nosferatu. The voice performances bring the film's array of offbeat characters to life with humor, emotion, and depth. Standout performances include Charlie Tahan as grief stricken Victor, Winona Ryder as his morbid neighbor, Elsa, Martin Landau as his eccentric science teacher, and Catherine O'Hara in dual roles as Victor's mother and his unusual classmate known only as 'Weird Girl'.
Equal parts creepy and cuddly Frankenweenie is must see Halloween viewing. The animation is a feast for the eyes and the script is certain to break your heart only to stitch it back together again. The film combines the best elements of vintage Burton to create an original masterpiece that will appeal to the whole family. For viewing that is simply to die for join Victor and Sparky in Frankenweenie.
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| Now that is what I call chemistry! |
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