Frankenweenie [1984]
Directed by: Tim Burton
Written by: Leonard Ripps (based on an idea by Burton)
Starring: Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern and Barret Oliver
Knowing there’s a full-length, animated version coming up next week (here in Mexico, lucky Americans already have gotten the chance to see it), I can’t help but feel 30 minutes are just not enough to present the story in a satisfying manner. However, Frankenweenie is a great way to acquaint oneself with Burton’s characteristic style, which would be further polished in gems like Ed Wood.
The mood and feel are fantastic and Shelley Duvall is very good in a different role from what we usually saw her in. The lovely stop-motion technique and much longer running time of Burton’s latest film will surely offer room for some much-needed exposition and character development, which will work wonders for this dark-yet-cute take on Frankenstein.
I’m not a huge fan of Frankenweenie (full version). My review will be on Amonymous soon…
LikeLike
Aw, too bad. I’m looking forward to that one. I’ll make sure to check out your review, then.
LikeLike
This 2012 version of the short and ‘ParaNorman’ have been my favorite animation films this season, Fernando.
LikeLike
Great to hear. Looking forward to both. Frankenweenie opens here on Friday and ParaNorman came out a couple weeks ago but I didn’t want to see it dubbed in Spanish so will wait for the DVD.
LikeLike
While I enjoyed your review (it’s gotten me more excited than ever to see the remake, honestly), I’m a bit puzzled by how you scored it. Yes, you mentioned that thirty minutes was not enough time to satisfy the story, but there are so many other peaks you address that the middling score puzzles me. Reading it, I’m feeling the vibe of something around 3 to 3.5 stars.
I anticipate your review of the remake!
LikeLike
It’s just, there’s quality in the visuals and mood and Duvall’s performance but that’s pretty much it. It’s style over substance. I know it’s very difficult to make wonders with a 30-minute running time, but this is not very staisfying and is incredibly rushed (obviously), so some of our character’s actions are a little weird and their motivations not fully explained.
LikeLike
I like the original Frankenweenie. It was short (30 minutes) and was fitfully entertaining. Stretching this lightweight story out to 90 minutes just gives Tim Burton more time to show the dog frolicking.
LikeLike
What a coincidence that you’re reviewing this as I was just about to publish a guest review of this. Looks like it’s pretty entertaining, though I likely would see this as a rental as October is a busy month for me.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the full length feature of FRANKENWENNIE …. so I’m intrigued to see if you’ll like it.
Keep up the great work man.
LikeLike
Thanks, Sam! Looking forward to that one. It’s opening here tomorrow.
LikeLike
I liked the short, and completely adored the feature length Frankenweenie! I was lucky enough to see a preview a week or so ago, but it’s only just come out over here too. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
LikeLike
I think I’ll have to wait till it’s out on DVD/Blu-Ray. As you read in my other post, I didn’t get to see it at the cinema. If my visa arrives soon, though, I may go to the US and see it. Glad you liked it!
LikeLike