Frankenweenie (2012)

Tim Burton Productions and Walt Disney Pictures
Theatrical Release: October 5, 2012
Home Release: January 8, 2013
Directed by Tim Burton
Rated PG

Disney and Creative Genius Tim Burton (Creator of “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) Proudly Announce the Home Entertainment Debut of Frankenweenie

On BLU-RAY™ Combo Pack, Digital And On-Demand - January 8, 2013!

 

Review by Rob Grabowski

The DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio on Frankenweenie has a superb mix, offering very fine detail and clarity for the dialogue with the bass response being very tight and tasteful without over exaggeration. When Victor is working in his lab and there is a storm outside, the effects tie everything together appropriately with the dialogue being kept crisp and clear. Seeing that the voices were recorded in a studio, I am not surprised with how good they sound but I do appreciate that the effects aren't obnoxious.

Tim Burton has become the master with his stop-motion animation and the way he presents Frankenweenie in Black and White really keeps a throw back to the horror films of yesteryear and pays a nice homage to the genre. The detail and shades of gray are visually stunning and probably was harder to achieve than some over the top saturated colors. The blend of the grays is quite detailed and presented in the 3D format their is a nice dimension that adds a layered depth that defines the sharpness throughout. The 3D doesn't completely jump out of the screen at you but creates more of a realistic look and plays on the story with beautiful shades of gray for effect rather than being obnoxious and shooting things off of the screen at the audience.

I was amazed at how visually stunning a Black and White movie was in 3D. I highly recommend this movie for the visuals alone. The story has a nice touch showing the love a boy has for his dog. Even though their is a warm ending it does take a little while to get there. Anytime a pet is killed in a movie it is hard to deal with. I am a dog person and quite frankly I love my dog more than most people. I am sure that I am not alone in that sentiment and when the dog meets his demise in Frankenweenie you can't help get choked up. Does anyone not remember how Bambi's mom met her ending? Who hasn't been scarred by that thought from childhood to adult. Well, you can't help but have those emotions stirred up with Frankenweenie too.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie and really recommend the 3D version. The story and characters are quite entertaining and does come together nicely in the end, even if you have to shed a few tears along the way. You will also be quite captivated with the dimension of the 3D and your home theater speakers will get a pleasant workout that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

 

Review by Adam Bielawski

What a wonderful movie.  Tim Burton always brings such imagination in his film imagery and stories.  Burton sticks to his world in this animated movie which is very easily recognized by all that it’s a Burton flick.  The story is simple and takes the love of a boy and his dog while referencing the classic Frankenstein (1931) movie from Universal as well as a spot with a Hammer Film clip of Dracula. My daughters saw this movie at the show and now on DVD/Blu-ray, they just love it. As for me, I love watching Disney movies with my kids because you really see what they love (or hate) they are, true uncompromised critics, and merciless (Yeah, I used that thought from “Almost Famous”).  Frankenweenie really brought my four year daughter to tears, not once but twice.  She felt so sad for Sparky, our Frankenweeknie, when he died, both times.  It really took some time, (while pressing PAUSE) to console her before pressing play again, then seeing the joy in here when Sparky is brought back to life. That instance showed me that this movie is entertaining as well as emotional with the young and adults.  Some other notes, the movie is not in color which is great and not a freakin musical, how wonderful. I like Tim Burton, but some of his musical hits are not the flavor I crave; but I am a small minority in that thinking, even in my own household.  We own almost all the Burton Disney movies.

Burton brings the classic horror characters into new life; our main character is Victor Frankenstein, a teenager who’s inspired by his new science teacher Mr. Rzykruski (most likely based on the “prince of horror” Vincent Price, remember him in “Edward Scissorhands”).  Rzykruski’s character is a typical portrayed intellectual, knows his science (or art) but not how to present it to the masses, the opposite of a sales pitchman. Rzykruski is short lived as the science teacher due to his presentational skills during a parent meeting. Basically he called everyone “ignorant” referencing knowledge of science and later in his speech stating, “I will crack their skulls,” probably trying to say something that he will open the children minds to science. The parents thought of him as nut job.  As he packs his things in his car, Victor tells him how inspirational he was to him. Sometime earlier in science class, Rzykruski showed the students how electricity flows through a dead frog and made legs move. Seeing this, Victor digs up Sparky’s body from the pet cemetery. The town is known to have quite a few electrical storms, almost nightly, knowing this, Victor builds a lab from everyday items in his attic and brings Sparky back to life, yes “It’s alive!”

Many of the characters are based on some of Frankenstein films (as well as other film stories), the poodle next door (Sparky’s love interest) becomes a direct reference to the Bride of Frankenstein when an electrical surge gives her white streaks, and her owner just happens to be a van Helsing. Much of the plot of this story is about the class science projects.  All the kids are trying to outdo each other, especially Victor. When other students discover that Victor brings Sparky back to life they sneak into his house and steal the blue prints. During this evening, the town is having some type of fair, the kids re-create Victor’s experiments on their own pets, some dead and some alive. Instead of getting lovable creatures like Sparky, they bring to life destructive creatures trying to kill. Earlier when Victor said goodbye to Mr. Rzykruski, he discussed with him why another time he tried to bring the dead back that it died. Mr. Rzykruski told him it was love that brought Sparky back and why he was not a monster. The new re-animated monsters such as giant turtle resembling Gamera (remember those Japanese Saturday movies), in life named Shelley, which was brought back to life by owner Toshiaki.  One thing about Toshiaki, he is pretty confident, one of those people that will cheat to get ahead of someone; he is the one who leads the coup to steal the blue prints from Victor. His pet Gamera confronts the hamster named Colossus. This monster and former pet happens belonged to the tallest kid, Nassor, who resembles the Frankenstein’s monster. One pretty entertaining scene is when Nassor tells the re-animated hamster Colossus to Kill Kill Kill, just to have Gamera squash him. Then you have a cat fused with a bat belonging to the character Weird Girl who turns into a blood thirsty were-bat or vampire cat-bat, I’m not sure which. IN addition two or three other animals belonging to some of the other kids.

One funny scene that gave me a quick chuckle was the confrontation with the PhysEd teacher and the mayor during the monster moshing chaos toward the end of the movie. The science teacher’s replacement is the school a very well-endowed gym teacher, as you expect with many comedy movies and TV series, a substitute who totally not fit for the job. Yes in our case the big-boobed gym teacher no idea what science is. Man I do hope that is not true in our schools. You will laugh at this quick scene and the young ones won’t get it. I had to rewind this a few times, it’s insinuated that the mayor grabs the PhysEd teacher on the boob, but I could not prove even pressing pause.  Maybe you can make the case.

I’m not a home entertainment technical guru, I’m more of just watch it kind of guy.  The film clarity is fabulous, as seen in most new animations.  The production is controlled from the beginning to end. The stop animation throughout the movie is sharp; better than most and blows away the theatrical versions.  As to the difference between Blu-ray and DVD, both are great, I personally cannot tell if there is a difference, but extra price. The sound seems to be very even throughout with no highs or lows; I really find that great in the movie. I am sure, like most, I hate to move the volume up or down.  In addition, the captions are not obtrusive to the film and I can read along … in my recent years of having children that is the only way I get to watch anything…it’s with captions.  In addition, don’t forget to grab your Disney Rewards and use them.  To really get any value out of these points you will have to spend a bit; also make sure you watch them points, Disney will zero you out if you don’t log in.  I wish they would get a partnership with someone like Amazon or Netflix. I do hear that Disney is revamping their whole online movie experience, but it’s hard to get your kids to rebrand a new online company.  If Disney cannot create a need for it I don’t think it will work.

Disney and creative genius Tim Burton (creator of “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) proudly announce the home entertainment debut of “Frankenweenie” arriving as a 4-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital and On Demand—January 8, 2013.

A must-add to any Tim Burton collection, the hilarious 3D stop-motion animated masterpiece is filled with quirky characters and unexpected twists. Boasting an electrifying variety of bonus materials, the4-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) includes an all-new original short “Captain Sparky vs The Flying Saucers”; an exciting behind-the-scenes featurette with Tim Burton “Miniatures in Motion: Bringing ‘Frankenweenie’ to Life”; a showcase of the film’s touring exhibit, “‘Frankenweenie’ Touring Exhibit”; Tim Burton’s original live-action short of the same name, and more.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack’s spectacular picture and sound enhances the tale of a boy who uses the power of science to bring his beloved dog back to life … and a whole town faces the unexpected and electrifying truth of what happens when monstrous experiments run wild!

“Frankenweenie” features an all-star cast including the voices of Emmy Award-winner Catherine O’Hara, Tony Award-winner Martin Short, Academy Award-winner Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell andGolden Globe-winner Winona Ryder.
Synopsis:
From Disney and creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes the hilarious and offbeat “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town learn that getting a new ‘leash on life’ can be monstrous.Complete with electrifying bonus features, “Frankenweenie” is alive with enchanting excitement in eye-popping Blu-ray 3D.Social Media:
For more information about “Frankenweenie,” visit the following: “Like” us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Frankenweenie; Visit the website at www.Disney.com/Frankenweenie4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)—Includes:

* All New Original Short: “Captain Sparky vs The Flying Saucers”—An exciting all-new short featuring Victor and Sparky’s home movie.
* “Miniatures In Motion: Bringing ‘Frankenweenie’ To Life”—Viewers get an in-depth tour of the London set that includes never-before-seen footage showcasing the hundreds of artists who worked on the film.
* “Frankenweenie” Touring Exhibit—Allows audiences to explore the artistry of the film’s puppets, sets and props in a showcase that’s traveling the world.
* “Frankenweenie” Original Live Action Short—Burton’s original live-action short film.
* Music Video—“Pet Sematary” performed by Plain White T’s

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) -- Includes: All 4-Disc bonus features

* “Captain Sparky vs The Flying Saucers”
* “Miniatures In Motion: Bringing ‘Frankenweenie’ To Life”
* “Frankenweenie” Touring Exhibit
* “Frankenweenie” (original Live-Action Short)
* “Pet Sematary” Music Video performed by Plain White T’s

1-Disc DVD Includes:

* “Frankenweenie” Touring Exhibit
* “Pet Sematary” Music Video performed by Plain White T’s

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