Frankenweenie (2012)

When a boy's beloved dog passes away suddenly, he attempts to bring the animal back to life through a powerful science experiment.

Director:

Tim Burton

Writers:

Leonard Ripps, Tim Burton (original idea)

Stars:

Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 49 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Catherine O'Hara	...	Mrs. Frankenstein / Weird Girl / Gym Teacher (voice)
Martin Short	...	Mr. Frankenstein / Mr. Burgemeister / Nassor (voice)
Martin Landau	...	Mr. Rzykruski (voice)
Charlie Tahan	...	Victor Frankenstein (voice)
Atticus Shaffer	...	Edgar 'E' Gore (voice)
Winona Ryder	...	Elsa Van Helsing (voice)
Robert Capron	...	Bob (voice)
James Hiroyuki Liao	...	Toshiaki (voice)
Conchata Ferrell	...	Bob's Mom (voice)
Tom Kenny	...	New Holland Towns Folk (voice)

Storyline

When young Victor's pet dog Sparky (who stars in Victor's home-made monster movies) is hit by a car, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's neighbors, he has to convince them (and his parents) that despite his appearance, Sparky's still the good loyal friend he's always been.

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Plot Keywords:

stop motion animation | remake by original director | dracula character | altered version of studio logo | studio logo segues into film | 

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Taglines:

The electrifying dog is back from beyond the grave

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, scary images and action

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chó Ma Frankenweenie

Box Office

Budget:

$39,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,412,213, 7 October 2012, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$35,291,068

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$81,491,068

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Isobel Griffiths Limited, Tim Burton Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital SDDS Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of Tim Burton's famed director trademarks is absent from this movie. Most Burton movie opening credits "follow" a person or object, this one's credits do not.

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Goofs

When Elsa sings for Dutch Day, the candles on her hat are half melted. In the next shot, the candles have only melted a tiny bit.

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Quotes

Victor Frankenstien: [giving an excuse about an upturned bucket moving across attic floor, as Sparky struggles to escape from it] It's a robot.
Mrs. Frankenstien: A robotic bucket?
Victor Frankenstien: Yes.
Mrs. Frankenstien: For mopping, I suppose?
Victor Frankenstien: Yes.
Mrs. Frankenstien: Maybe when you're finished, you'll let me use it.

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Crazy Credits

When the Disney logo has almost completed, a flash of lightning turns the logo black-and-white, the sky turns cloudy and the music turns scary.

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Connections

Referenced in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: And The Nominees Are... (2018)

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Soundtracks

Six Powerful Cues (a)
Written by Wilfred Burns (as Wilfred William Burns)
Courtesy of APM Music

User Reviews

They've gotta learn sooner or later...

If anywhere there was a braver ending needed, it's here. Kids could have learned that life is but fleeting, we all suffer heartbreak sooner or later, say goodbye to the ones we love... This is an important lesson indeed. But, no. In the interest of a few mums and dads having to tolerate some waterworks on the way home from the cinema, Burton decides to go for what is essentially a cop out. Rather cowardly, if you ask me.

The whole film has the feel of an old B movie (but is set in the present day) as it is shot entirely in black and white and contains more than one horror reference. Spookiness pervades the atmosphere, as Danny Elfman's Gothic score meanders in the background like a funeral march. Poor Victor loses his dog, and his mourning and subsequent resurrection of his pet carries real emotion weight.

This doesn't last though, as the plot stretches to Victor's classmates experimenting on other deceased creatures, turning them into freaks of nature that invade the town. This is an arresting spectacle, but a betrayal of what transpired before... turning the movie from a personal tale about a boy and his half-dead canine, into an OTT monster movie. It feels like a different film, and not one that matched up to the poignant first half.

Not for one minute would I suggest I could tell Mr Burton how to do his job. But I think less action, and more storytelling would have improved the final reel no end... As well as a more courageous conclusion. Oh well, everyone's a critic (Most don't enunciate their thoughts as well as I do, though)... ;) 6/10