‘Frankenweenie’ brings Tim Burton back to his greatness

It’s been too long since we’ve collectively enjoyed a Tim Burton film. Need I repeat his latest efforts? There’s one abysmal misstep after another. M. Night Shyamalan may have a better track record.

So, it comes as a nice breath of fresh air that Burton has directed Frankenweenie, an ingenious claymation movie about little monsters and their nefarious plans. It’s a clever film with a beautifully unique style. Featuring some of the best visuals of the year (perhaps only eclipsed by ParaNorman), Frankenweenie is a strong step in the right direction for Burton.

Young Victor Frankenstein (voiced by Charlie Tahan) lives in a town similar to the strange suburbia in Edward Scissorhands, another great Burton movie. There’s a looming windmill in the center of town, and all of the kids who attend the grade school are just a bit odd. There’s one girl with a serial-killer stare and a pet kitty. Another student has a hunched back, separated teeth and a moo-ha-ha sentimentality that will remind audience members of Igor, Frankenstein’s loyal assistant. Victor’s teacher (Martin Landau) is just as strange.

The story is simple enough, mostly because it’s based on the famous Mary Shelley novel. The doctor (or, in this case, the min-doctor) wants to bring vitality to dead issue and harness life in his hands. After watching his dog get hit by a car, Victor commandeers the always-stormy skies and shoots lightning into his dog’s lifeless body. It doesn’t take long for the little pooch to get up and start running around, with as much spunk as he had while still alive.

The animation style is far better than the story. Each of the creations are works of art, so much so that they feel oddly stiff and passive. Burton and his creators are able to build an impressive universe, but it differs from the universes in ParaNorman or even  Chicken Run. Those other films have detailed landscapes where the characters live and breathe within the artistic richness. In Frankenweenie, there’s never a feeling of reality or movement. Everything feels like a museum display, which is perfectly fine. Appreciating the visuals can be more important than feeling at home in this scary town.

The voice work is excellent, especially from Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short. O’Hara’s “Weird Girl” is the highlight. Winona Ryder is also likable as Elsa Van Helsing, Victor’s love interest.

John August’s screenplay, based on original ideas from Burton and Leonard Ripps, is streamlined and a ton of fun. There are few wasted scenes and, although the humor is not laugh out loud, there’s a general feeling of sweetness among the darkness. Burton has an uncanny way of finding the life in lifeless creations. He never hits his audience over the head with the “message,” but let’s it seep in behind some stunning visuals.

This year is shaping up to be the year of the family film.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Frankenweenie

• 2012

• Directed by Tim Burton

• Written by John August; based on a screenplay by Leonard Ripps; based on an original idea by Burton

• Starring the voice talents of Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Winona Ryder and Charlie Tahan

• Running time: 87 minutes

• Rated PG for thematic elements, scary images and action

• Rating: