Tim Burton’s 1984 short film Frankenweenie has finally been released somewhere other than YouTube and is exactly what Burton fans love. It is now a feature-length picture with added characters and different elements, but the basic plot still remains the same: young Victor Frankenstein loses his best friend, Sparky, but finds a way to bring him back to life. Sadly, Victor learns bringing back the dead is not that simple and is taken on a journey paralleling Mary Shelley’s classic, Frankenstein.
Frankenweenie is a classic example of what Tim Burton does best. He entertains his audience with a twisted plot, eccentric characters, and unique art style. His characters are played by his secondary auteur cast consisting of Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder. The characters of Frankenweenie closely resemble those of Shelley’s Frankenstein and are presented with a Tim Burton flair. For Burton fans, the most interesting character to watch would be the protagonist, Victor. Victor is a duplicate of the young boy in one of Burton’s first short films, Vincent. They have the same design and are represented in the same light. They are the awkward outcasts of society. Victor is a link connecting Burton to his early roots which any of his followers would love.
The most fascinating aspect of the movie is without a doubt the atmosphere provided by its brilliant art director Rick Heinrichs, who has been a part of many Burton films. Heinrichs and Burton create a stereotypical suburban setting, similar to the style used in Edward Scissorhands, giving off an eerie tone. The film was also done in black and white, giving it a classic horror vibe which was without a doubt the perfect choice for Frankenweenie. Not only did black and white give it the perfect tone, but it did not limit the effects that lighting can have in a film. Heinrichs makes perfect use of colour in the setting, with different shades of black and white, accenting all the right aspects of the scene and film.
Tim Burton’s formula of making movies would not be complete, however, without Danny Elfman. The composer creates a somewhat safe score but is stil valuable to the film. His score moves along with the movie either foreshadowing upcoming events or furthering the audience’s emotional responses to climactic or emotional scenes. The score is subtle throughout the movie but is amplified when needed. Elfman articulates the dramatic scenes with striking music.
While Burton’s most recent films have been slightly disappointing to his cult of followers, the auteur delivers in Frankenweenie by returning to his classic roots. The result is a simple plot with some of the most twisted and warped elements added to it. Burton produces a wonderfully emotional and dark story (although perhaps too dark for children) about a young boy and his love for his dog, which any former dog owner can relate to. It has the power to bring its audience to tears and warms your heart. Whether you are a Burton follower, love black and white films, or a fan of Frankenstein who is interested in seeing a modern day tale with unique additions, this film has something for you.
