A BOY AND HIS DEAD DOG: a review of "Frankenweenie"

"FRANKENWEENIE"

Based upon the 1984 short film "Frankenweenie" by Tim Burton
and the Original Screenplay by Lenny Ripps

Screenplay Written by John August

Directed by Tim Burton

*** (three stars)

I am now beginning to wonder if perhaps Tim Burton has had a master plan all along. 

"Frankenweenie," Burton's third full length animated feature after "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993, and as directed by Henry Selick) and "Corpse Bride" (2005) not only signals a near return to form after some creative missteps over the past few years. To me, the film also just may be signaling a renewed sense of artistic purpose. This possibility is made all the more meaningful as "Frankenweenie" represents a return to Tim Burton's artistic roots as it is a remake of a short film of the same name he directed all the way back in 1984. And if this new version is indeed signaling a renewed sense of artistic purpose, then we, as fans of Tim Burton and as those who simply love movies that have a true, pure and unique artistic point of view, are all the better for it. While I will explain my reasoning for this impression very shortly, on the whole, "Frankenweenie," while not without some flaws, is a fast paced, very clever, sweet-natured and gently told horror parody that the entire family can enjoy in earnest.

As our story begins in the small, sleepy suburban town of New Holland, young filmmaker and budding scientist Vincent Frankenstein (voiced by Charlie Tahan) is premiering his latest cinematic monster movie opus starring his beloved dog Sparky to his admiring and loving parents Ben and Susan (voiced by Martin Short and Catherine O'Hara). While his parents encourage Vincent's intelligence, they are worried and concerned about Vincent's increasingly isolated existence inside the comforts of his upstairs lair and laboratory. Outside of his home, and despite the ever present Sparky by his side, Vincent is friendless and even the envy of several of his comically ghoulish classmates, which include the hunchbacked Edgar "E" Gore (voiced by Atticus Shaffer), the arrogantly sullen Toshiaki (voiced by James Hiroyuki Liao) and the gloomy, lanky Nassor (also voiced by Martin Short), all of whom are in competition with Vincent for an upcoming Science Fair.

Tragedy strikes shortly after Vincent reluctantly joined a Little League baseball team upon the urging of his Father, when Sparky is killed in an accident. Grief stricken and jointly inspired by his Science teacher Mr. Rzykruski's (voiced by Martin Landau) lectures about electricity and a chance sighting of the classic "Horror Of Dracula" (1958) on television, Vincent secretly returns to Sparky's grave site and digs up his corpse. With his parents fully unaware, Vincent ascends back to his makeshift attic laboratory. Through the electricity of a major thunderstorm combined with the deep love he shared for his dog, Sparky is fully reanimated, a scientific miracle the twosome attempt to keep hidden from family and the town but, of course, to no avail.

Things come to a head at the town's Dutch Days festival event as Vincent's classmate competitors utilize similar reanimation techniques which backfire, unleashing an army of mutated creatures upon New Holland and forcing Vincent and Sparky to save the day.

Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie," beautifully presented in luxurious black and white cinematography, is indeed a terrific sight to behold through its wondrous stop motion animation and its warmly affectionate parody/homage to the Boris Karloff starring "Frankenstein" (1931). The film is a vast improvement over the joyless and horrendous "Alice In Wonderland" (2010) and the near miss of "Dark Shadows" (2012) as, for the first time in quite some while, Burton seems to be reaching for the lovely and longing melancholy of his classic "Edward Scissorhands" (1990) as this fable places a boy's love for his dog as the strong emotional center. I think that Burton has truly hit upon a deeply touching nerve that I believe anyone who has ever shared a treasured relationship with an animal can understand: the complete unfairness that our animal friends cannot live a life as lengthy as their human companions. My heart completely went out to poor Vincent at the loss of Sparky and his desire to do absolutely anything at all to just see him and be with him again. This aspect of "Frankenweenie" spoke volumes to me and even brought me back to thinking about my very first cat, my beloved Pekoe, who passed away at the age of eight many years ago. He was a gorgeous soul, the kindest feline you could ever wish to meet (although he was very shy), who never hissed even once in his life and held so many goofy quirks and amazing and seemingly endearments that I still wish to see him again to this very day as he was indeed an angel with fur. Even so, and especially if similar feelings arise within some of you, I wish to exclaim that "Frankenweenie" is not presented as a depressing experience whatsoever.

"Frankenweenie" returns Tim Burton to familiar conceptual and thematic territory, making this film work very nicely as a companion piece to some of his past films. We are back within the same off kilter suburban setting which strikes a funny 1950's pastiche with an Edward Gorey styled cast of humorously spooky characters, from the Vincent's mopey next door neighbor Elsa (voiced by Winona Ryder), her uncle, Mr. Bergermeister (again voiced by Martin Short), the grim and portly Mayor of New Holland and even a wildly wide eyed girl named Weird Girl (voiced by Catherine O'Hara), who consistently pays heed to the premonitions of her cat Mr. Whiskers. Composer Danny Elfman, one of Burton's longtime collaborators, also provides a jaunty character to "Frankenweenie" as his bouncy score keeps the proceedings moving forwards with zestful and zippy energy.

But for all of the similar attributes "Frankenweenie" shares with Burton's past films, it also shares some of the same weaknesses. As with many of his past works, "Frankenweenie" seems to have the lack of a strong mid-section, something to make the opening and climax flow together more smoothly and not feel so rushed or abbreviated. Additionally, there are story threads and character introductions and developments that feel as if they are being established (the respective relationships between Vincent, Elsa and Mr. Bergermeister for instance) but end up going nowhere. 

What saves the film confidently is Burton's adherence the heart of his story, as well as the overall heart that pulsates within the full purpose of the film. In regards to the film's story, Burton keeps the love and friendship between Vincent and Sparky front and center, grounding the film in their relationship, ensuring that every event and circumstance, no matter how bizarre or cacophonous, is built from the bond the boy and his deceased dog share.  

But for me, there is a greater and even more crucial love on display within "Frankenweenie," and I have the feeling that for Tim Burton, this film carried more weight for him as an artist than just creating his latest project. Vincent Frankenstein is obviously Burton's fictional pre-adolescent alter-ego and I cannot help but to wonder if we are all getting a glimpse into Burton's past which then makes me wonder if he is reminiscing as well, possibly trying to ruminate over the emotions he went through as a child as he took those initial steps into becoming the filmmaker we all know him to be today. And with that, is Burton potentially trying to renew his sense of artistic purpose when it comes to the types of films he will continue to make?

Out of the films he has made over the past few years, "Frankenweenie" feels as if this one was a labor of love, the very film that he would pay to see himself whether he had created it or not. And maybe, just maybe, directing an almost anonymous and smash hit studio picture like "Alice In Wonderland" was the very thing that would give him some additional clout to pursue a personal passion project like this one. Certainly, I have no inside information but this is a gut feeling and my reading of the potential hows and whys one film from Burton has turned out so well and another so poorly, to my perceptions.  

Even so, I think that there are some peeks behind the "Burton Curtain" with "Frankenweenie" that are not to be ignored and I also think that some of those peeks can be found existing inside of who I felt to be the film's most endearing character, the wraith-like, Vincent Price influenced Science teacher, Mr. Rzykruski. In addition to delivering some very sharp, sly satirical jibes against those who claim ignorance when faced with scientific truths as well as vindicating the role of teachers during a time when teachers are being vilified for political gains, Mr. Rzykruski provides "Frankenweenie" with its conscience and purity of soul. 

In a short speech he delivers to young Vincent, Mr. Rzykruski expresses how the very best scientists certainly utilize their brains and intellect, the greatest use their hearts in equality. That without love, without an honest sense of heartfelt purpose, all scientific experimentation is rendered meaningless, a fact Vincent's classmates learn the hard way in the film's hellzapoppin' climax. But as I think about Tim Burton, the veteran filmmaker, the artist and the work he shares with us time and again, I wonder if he ever feels as if he has lost his way at times. Perhaps through this idiosyncratic character, the message is no less than an intentionally crucial reminder to himself to always remain true to his art and that just because he is a filmmaker who is able to command a certain budget and is probably one of the few filmmakers who just may have a level of creative autonomy, that doesn't mean that he should just make any old movie. That he should strive to achieve the wonderful and reach for greatness every time, to artistically make the impossible so beautifully possible--like Vincent resurrecting his beloved dog Sparky. .  

Yes, I am of course viewing this film through an adult lens and I can willingly concede that maybe I am  wishing for more than what Tim Burton intended as "Frankenweenie" is geared directly at a young audience. But I cannot help but to wonder... 

"Frankenweenie" is not Tim Burton operating at his absolute best, a level to which I am certain he will return to one day. But it is Tim Burton operating at his most tender, gentle, sincere and purposeful and for me and my sensibilities, those are all giant steps in the right direction.. 

SAVAGE POSTSCRIPT:

Now, for those of you dear readers who may be parents and are wondering if "Frankenweenie" would be safe enough to view with your little ones, I will offer the following advice and foresight. Tim Burton handles the story's themes of life and death in this light footed PG rated film with a soft touch and the film never wallows in darkness. In regards to the film's horror elements, while there are a few scares, especially during the film's action climax, they are brief and minor at that. From there, you know your children best and what they are able or not able to handle, so proceed with the highest parental discretion that I am certain that you all consistently operate.