Touches You

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

People are voting emotionally.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Too many potential themes were stuffed into the story, but the disappointing play didn't turn it into any complete theme, so it was only possible to rely on too many random events to achieve the dramatic effect of individual clips. Therefore, despite the stunning opening and the perfect atmosphere, the film eventually dragged the narrative rhythm with loose story clips. Many of the private emotions of director Tim Burton were unmasked in the film, and it turns out that he is more suitable for showing witchcraft than discussing science.

I do find it ironic that Tim Burton remade his older short film "Frankenweenie". For those that don't know, Burton started his career as an animator at the Disney studio and made a half an hour live action short film of the same name in 1984. The executives at Disney hated the short thinking it was too scary and fired him from the company. Burton later got hired as a director by Warner Bros. the following year and the rest is history.  Almost thirty years later, Burton decided to expand his original story into a stop motion animated movie. How were the results you may ask? Well, here's my synopsis.The film is essentially a different retelling of Mary Shelly's novel. A young boy named Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is living a happy life with his parents (Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short) and of course, his dog Sparky in the town of New Holland. His happiness, however, is cut short when Sparky is accidentally struck by a car and killed. Victor becomes depressed and starts wishing for his dog back when he gets an idea. After his science teacher (Martin Landau) shows him the science of electricity on dead frogs, Victor builds a crazy invention in the attic to successfully bring Sparky back to life. After realizing what he's done, one of his pupils named Edgar (Atticus Shaffer) blackmails Victor into showing him how the process works which results in a chaos that should be seen to believed. I'd rather not give anymore details.There are things that I think that the film did better than the original short film. I liked how they gave more personality to Sparky to make the audience sympathize with him more. I also really enjoyed the details they included in the original in this film. But by far, the best part of the movie was the climax which was so insane and crazy that it really made me laugh. Even Burton reusing actors from his previous films like O'Hara, Landau, and Winona Ryder was also a welcoming addition.The animation once again, is great. I love how it was shot in black and white to add to the comedy and also really liked the crazy city they designed for this world. However, I did find the character's designs a little too similar to the ones from "Corpse Bride" considering that most of the crew that worked on that film also worked on this one as well. Speaking of the characters, I really enjoyed them as well. The fact that some of them even looked like the characters from the 1931 original film was also pretty funny. However, the film does have flaws. I do think that some of the emotional moments could have been handled a little better, and some of the scenes were a little pointless, particularly one involving the science teacher. But, I digress."Frankenweenie" might not be one of Burton's best stop motion films, but I think it's still a pretty good movie in general. I has a pretty funny story, some great animation, and some funny characters. I think the film may have been one of Burton's best film had some of the scenes were handled a little better, but I think the film had enough charm and humor for me to give it fair recommendation.

If you were to read Shelley's "Frankenstein," I think you would appreciate the movie for several reasons. Burton must have read the original work considering he follows, yet rarely explores himself, much of the thematic work Shelley explored, but in his own cute-spooky way. There is the desire for Promethean knowledge, in the case of Frankenstein and Frankenweenie the power to reanimate the dead, but we see this desire multiply realized in numerous characters. The climax also holds many similarities with the ending of Frankenstein.I was a little upset by the appearance of Igor, a glaring example of the misinterpretations of Frankenstein that have pervaded the integrity of the entire first book's message. I can't just look past that, but it was otherwise a decent rendition, though not nearly as compelling as the work it is inspired by.

Tim Burton has been a very hit or miss director for me,for the most part I prefer his earlier films,but then this comes along and changes all my expectations. I'm a giant fan of monster and universal classic horror flicks, and also an animal lover,so this film just hits all the marks for me,like nothing else he has done. I adore all the characters,the Science teacher in particular just lights up the screen,but Sparky overwhelms them all,in the best way possible. Few films have managed to truly capture the sense of love and family between a dog and owner,this beautiful film just nails it. The wonderful,awe inspiring climax left my jaw on the floor,which is then combined with genuine emotions,it really is hugely satisfying,I truly love it.