Local film buff and Clarion University graduate David Hollis reviews the film FRANKENWEENIE.

FRANKENWEENIE (B/W 3D, 1hr 27min)

FRANKENWEENIE is a wondrously charming, heartwarming film about a boy and his beloved dog and that dreaded inevitable moment in life when you have to say goodbye. Director Tim Burton, whose iconic “Halloween-year-round” style has produced other stop-motion fare such as The Corpse Bride and A Nightmare Before Christmas, returns yet again with what I think is his best and most poignant achievement.

The story revolves around young Victor Frankenstein who stays up in his room making monster movies on super8 with a cast of toys and a medley of mom’s kitchen utensils. The star in his movies is a bull terrier named Sparky, full of life and everlasting loyalty to the introverted Frankenstein. At school, Victor keeps to himself and has an untapped curiosity particularly inspired by the passions of his science teacher and mentor, Mr. Rzykruski (voiced brilliantly by Martin Landau who won an Oscar as the unforgettable Bela Lugosi in Burton’s Ed Wood). With a wizard-like wonder, Rzykruski never fails to impress his wide-eyed class of misfits with all the possibilities that science holds. So when that fateful day comes when the high-energy Sparky dashes out into traffic, the grief-stricken Victor turns to these possibilities, conducting an experiment that brings his best friend back from the dead. Best friends forever, indeed.

Based on a live-action short film the director made in 1984, this animated version is a obvious homage to the Universal Pictures timeless Frankenstein, with various nods to other campy monster movies from the 50’s and 60’s thrown in for good measure. One of the most gorgeously animated films in recent memory, it’s interestingly enough the first black and white 3D feature released since that era, with the stop-motion against these black and white tones creating a truly handcrafted look to the characters, bringing that creepy cool vibe from the classic monsters of yesteryear to a whole new generation of moviegoers. And parents need not worry about the subject matter; though often quite sincere it’s handled with a sensibility that keeps the film lighthearted and entertaining throughout, revealing not just a crazy monster movie for kids during the Halloween season, but a beautifully told family film with the power of undying love at its core.

David Hollis’ passion for cinema started at thirteen after watching Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece TAXI DRIVER for the first time.  Since then he’s written and directed several short films and is currently pursuing a career in screenwriting.  He holds a Bachelor Degree in Mass Media Arts with a Concentration in Film from Clarion University.  He lives in Clarion.