Review - Frankenweenie (2012)

Starring Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara.
Directed by Tim Burton.

Victor's (voiced by Charlie Tahan) beloved pet dog Sparky is killed in a car accident. Disheartened, Victor uses the power of science to raise Sparky from the dead. However the kids at his school, desperate to win the science fair, learn Victor's secret and things quietly escalate out of control.

Frankenweenie highlights the story of a friendship between a boy and his dog. It borrows the classic Frankenstein concept and is accompanied by Tim Burton's vintage, beautiful black and white visuals. The black and white imagery is only fitting since the movie entails ghoul-like characters. Despite the film's spooky atmostphere, the characters were nonetheless charming and the story was touching and pretty humorous at parts. You could tell Burton had a young audience in mind with the inclusion of young characters, pets and even monsters in the story. As with most Burton films, the movie is richly scored which definitely adds to that kiddie horror theme it has going for it.

Solemn, smartly written and beautifully told in Burton's unique and vivid style. Frankenweenie is a heartwarming twist to Frankenstein made for kids but will definitely please adults and Burton fans alike.

Rating: 8.5/10