REVIEW: ‘Frankenweenie’ revamps horror classic
I’m not the biggest Tim Burton fan. I respect his work and his talent, but his niche does not appeal to me as it does to others. However, I did have satisfaction with his latest piece, “Frankenweenie.”
Victor Frankenstein, voiced by Charlie Tahan, loves to make homemade monster movies featuring his dog Sparky. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein, voiced by Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara, respectively, think Victor is very strange to have a dog as his only friend.
Mr. Frankenstein encourages Victor to try baseball as an avenue to make new friends. Surprisingly, Victor agrees without much reluctance to give it a shot.
At Victor’s first time up to the plate he miraculously hits a home run, but unfortunately Sparky chases the ball, gets hit by a car and dies.
As Victor’s science teacher Mr. Rzykruski, voiced by Martin Landau, teaches a series of very interesting lectures on electricity, an idea sparks in Victor’s mind: Lightning can reanimate his dead dog.
Like a mad scientist’s child, Victor makes plans, constructs a laboratory in the attic then hurries to the pet cemetery and digs up Sparky.
Through a series of shocking events, Sparky comes back to life. Victor holds him in the attic to keep him under wraps.
Sparky escapes when he is discovered by Mrs. Frankenstein and is seen by Victor’s classmate, Edgar “E” Gore, voiced by Atticus Shaffer. Edgar blackmails Victor into showing him the methods on reanimation, this time with a dead goldfish.
Once again, the process worked, but with some unexpected effects.
Edgar spreads the news of his fish, causing the other classmates to embrace their jealousy and radically alter their experiments in a grander quest for extreme science.
This film was done in Burton’s traditional style. It’s full of the stereotypical characters: the creepy quiet girl, the crazy boy, and the goth girl. It’s set in 1950s suburbia, but this didn’t prevent the creators from inserting plenty of pop culture and tongue in cheek references throughout the picture.
The movie is entirely in black and white, which I didn’t notice or think about for the first third of the movie. This helped give “Frankenweenie” the feel of an older movie.
As with Burton’s other stop-motion films, the animation is impressive. In today’s world of computer animation, it’s curious to see stop-action still enjoyed by audiences.
The Frankenstein’s next door neighbor, Elsa, has a hairstyle hauntingly reminiscent of the hairstyle Lydia Deetz donned in “Beetlejuice,” which creates an interesting tie in to Winona Ryder, who played both roles.
The pace is not too fast and not too slow – fast enough to entertain children, yet slow enough so they can understand the lessons being taught.
“Frankenweenie” was a good thought when compared with the original story. It was fun, but true appreciation can only come from those who’ve seen the classic horror film, “Frankenstein.”
Hollywood doesn’t make horror movies like they used to. Back then, it was all about characters, feelings, thoughts and misdirection. Now it seems it’s either blood and guts or possession. This movie effectively uses and tones down the old horror style to something suitable for children.
The movie also incorporates many of the classic monsters and includes a couple lesser-known creatures.
“Frankenweenie” once again allows Tim Burton to bring us back into his stop motion Halloween-like universe after seven years since the last visit, “Corpse Bride.” Every major motion picture Burton directed has been remembered by audiences everywhere.
Burton did a good job re-imagining the classic “Frankenstein” tale, but it just didn’t deliver like a classic.
I admire Burton’s talent, but he’s not for me – it’s not my style.
All the adult cast members have been in at least one other Burton film, although they’ve all taken a few years sabbatical. O’Hara was in “Beetlejuice,” Short was in “Mars Attacks!” and Landau was in “Ed Wood.”
Since Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were noticeably absent, Winona Rider must take part in this Burton movie. Unfortunately, one of the most talented actors in the film was underused, even with a resume including memorable films like 2009’s “Star Trek,” “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Crucible.”
As is typical of Burton films, the music was composed by Danny Elfman, who did an excellent job. It may well be in my top five favorite Elfman soundtracks. He effectively blended haunting and happy themes together, and flawlessly transitioning between the two extremes.
The orchestral music helps tell the story to the point where “Frankenweenie” could practically be a silent film, using music as the only voice. Elfman even integrated haunting organ music and a steeple bell to add the timeless horror musical elements.
If you like Burton’s style or like the classic Frankenstein” tale, you’ll have a scary good time at “Frankenweenie.”
– Spencer Palmer is a graduate student working toward an MBA with a recent bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. Email him at spencer.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu or visit his website, themovieknight.wordpress.com.