Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

GusF A short film directed by Tim Burton, this is absolutely sublime. It is a brilliant, touching film which both parodies and pays tribute to "Frankenstein", the 1931 film version in particular. It tells the story of a ten-year-old boy named Victor Frankenstein, based on Burton himself as he makes short films in his backyard, who is distraught by the death of his (very appropriately named) dog Sparky. Shortly afterwards, he learns that electricity can be used to stimulate muscles, which inspired Mary Shelley to write "Frankenstein" in the first place. He harnesses the power of lightning to revive Sparky, who soon comes to be misunderstood and feared by the Frankensteins' neighbours. The script by Lenny Ripps, based on an idea by Burton, is top notch.The use of black and white is extremely effective and Burton's direction is excellent. Barret Oliver, a prolific 1980s child actor best known for his roles in films such as "The NeverEnding Story", "D.A.R.Y.L." and "Cocoon", is pitch perfect as Victor, who manages to seem like a real boy in spite of the plot. Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern are great as his supportive parents. Joseph Maher excels as the film's "antagonist" Mr Chambers while Roz Braverman is a laugh riot as Mrs. Epstein. It also features fairly small appearances by Stern's future "The Wonder Years" co-star Jason Hervey and Sofia Coppola, a making a rare appearance in something not directed by her father Francis Ford Coppola.Considering that I basically prefer dogs to people, I was a little apprehensive about watching this given the subject matter but I need not have worried as it is as heartwarming as it is macabre. It perfectly conveys how much a dog can mean to a person. I couldn't imagine life without my dog Freddie! It has already become both my favourite film about a dog and my favourite short film. Were it not for "Ed Wood", my 17th favourite film of all time, this would be my favourite feature or short film directed by Burton. My enthusiasm for it knows no bounds.

JoshSharpe If you keep track of upcoming movies (like I do), you may know that Tim Burton is releasing a film called "Frankenweenie" next month. It is based on his original idea of a boy that brings his dead dog back to life. In 1984, he released a short film version. Well, almost released it. Disney fired him because it scared children and they didn't want him making those kind of movies for them. It wasn't released to the public until an edited version came out on VHS in 1994. It wasn't until 2008 that the original uncut version was released with the special edition DVD and Blu-ray of "The Nightmare Before Christmas". Unfortunately, I don't think all this work was worth it. The creative idea doesn't translate very well on screen here. I don't think most kids would be scared; just rather uninterested. And the black and white adds nothing to it and I found it unnecessary. I will be sure to see the new "Frankenweenie" next month and I'm hoping it will be an improvement over this.

elshikh4 This Tim Burton movie, produced by Disney while Burton's first career there as a conceptual artist, is the weakest movie by him I have seen to date. And notice well that that comes from someone who adores him !In his previous movie (Vincent) Burton advised us about accepting the uncommon ones as they could be exceptional, through a tale of a talented, not understood, kid. Being uncommon is a subject I'm convinced Burton has suffered from early in his life, especially in Disney, putting in mind his eccentric imagination and instant craze of the whole horror genre. Now with (Frankenweenie) he counties the trouble of his lead kid in (Vincent); where both refer to none other than Burton himself. It's about winning the appreciation of something dear and lovely that may seem ugly or horrific for others, which could equal a different talent or a superficially unpleasant person, or – simply – a moviemaker who's interested in such matters. The thing, here, is that Burton wanted to be himself and Disney's as well. And that's where the taste got mixed up.The movie is dark, with an idea of accepting the zombie (!). In the same time, it tries to allege a happy end where the entire refusing mob – of that zombie – turns into caring, loving and rescuing friends, actually with the "bride" of Frankenstein, sorry.. Frankenweenie, moment; it's a very happy end !I thought that Burton maybe would have preferred an end where the dog and the boy die, as long as that society expels them form its understanding or mercy. Or maybe the boy would be saved by the dog which got to die later as a martyr of sacrificing or a murdered of mala fides. However, he gave us that extremely smiling end to lose being a scary melancholic tale, while not being a colorful gay Disney movie either. This movie stood on the middle with no satisfaction or beautiful special taste.The direction isn't dazzling or interesting; the resurrection scene – which is the best scene – is just fair, and the steadicam's shots were done before in The Shining (1980). The images of the neighbors getting horrified by the zombie, absolutely innocent, dog were exaggerated and unbelievable. All the sets didn't harmonize with the huge very artistic pet cemetery's set. The sense of humor is totally lost (a spoof of Frankenstein my foot !), only a lame line about the mother's sister, which looks finally a bit misplaced. And the dog's make up as zombie is so primitive, silent movies primitive ! The music is the sole great factor, however of course not redeeming enough. I didn't wonder when I read that Burton was fired from Disney for "wasting" their resources on films like this. It has nothing to do with their known by heart goods. At any case, he would return to the same subject, accepting and appreciating the uncommon, many times throughout his next smarter years to an extent makes (Frankenweenie) a hasty rehearsal for (Edward Scissorhands) six years later.So it's, at best, a hasty rehearsal more than a movie. It belongs to Burton's world, but not as balanced or enjoyable as the rest of his works. And it couldn't gain being a raven or a pigeon, ending up as something in between, badly hybrid ! P.S : unlike many, including Burton himself, I don't see this movie as a short remake of Frankenstein aimed at children. I deem it a short dark remake of the decade's icon E.T, with the same suburban, friendship between a kid and uncommon creature, hateful grown-ups, sympathetic parents, chase to destroy the creature, that creature's power of goodness, and happy end with the long-wanted appreciation achieved.

TheLittleSongbird I like Tim Burton in general, he has been hit and miss recently, but as I've said many times when he's good he is good. Frankenweenie is an example of when Tim Burton was good. It is a delightful homage to Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, yet in a child's perspective. It benefits hugely from crisp black and white photography, a beautiful score from David Newman, fine direction and a witty script. The story is also well structured and well paced, and the dog is wonderfully trained. While funny and atmospheric, Frankenweenie also has a somewhat poignant ending. The acting is great, Barrett Oliver is very engaging(as he always was), Shelley Duvall is very good and Daniel Stern is both entertaining and warm-hearted. I even liked Sophia Coppola in this. All in all, brilliant and one of the best in Burton's career. 10/10 Bethany Cox