'Frankenweenie' starring Charlie Tahan - trailer review
Frankenweenie Directed by: Tim Burton Starring: (voices of) Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: October 15, 2012
TRAILER SCORE: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: Tim Burton has been hit or miss for me throughout his career, but one thing that’s remained consistent is that I’ve always liked the animated films he’s been involved with. That’s why it pleases me to no end to see Burton returning to the world of stop motion. Frankenweenie looks to be very much in the same vein as what came before, and that’s a very good thing.
I love that the film is in black and white. When combined with the stop motion animation it makes it really feel like a Tim Burton movie, but not to the point where it comes off as self-parody. It’s also appreciated that it only gives away the basic idea instead of showing much mayhem from after the dog is brought back to life. While the Frankenstein story isn’t one new to parody, this looks like a fun take on it – especially true for the Igor kid. Another thing I love is the appropriately somber beginning that shows the boy grieving. I hope there will be more of that melancholy feeling to go along with the silliness of the premise.
The one regrettable thing is that the trailer uses “From the director of Alice in Wonderland” instead of using Corpse Bride or his attachment to The Nightmare Before Christmas. I know it makes financial sense, but it’s still unfortunate. Still, that’s not a slight on the trailer itself. Between Frankenweenie and Dark Shadows, 2012 is shaping up to be a heck of a bounce back year for Mr. Burton.