FRANKENWEENIE

“Frankenweenie” cleaned up at the critics awards this year, alongside “ParaNorman” as the overall favorite of the year. But will this translate into an Oscar or will Pixar’s “Brave” take the top prize like we know it should. Whatever ends up taking Best Animated Feature, no one can take away Tim Burton’s passion project about a boy’s best friend, Sparky, the dog, which is brought back to life in a modern day Frankenstein retelling.

Tim Burton’s only been nominated for an Academy Award once before in 2005 for “Corpse Bride”, only to be beaten by “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”. Who does Burton face again this year? Peter Lord, the producer of said “Wallace & Gromit” and his film “The Pirates! Band Of Misfits”. If it’s any consolation, “Frankenweenie” will definitely out-perform Lord’s film this year. But beating out “Brave” and “ParaNorman” will be another story. Although I don’t believe it will win, Disney has to be proud, with three of the five nominations in their corner (“Brave” and “Wreck-It Ralph” also carrying the Disney flag). However, with it’s black-and-white nature and feel-good attitude, there could also be a upset.

REVIEW

Originally made as a black-and-white live action film, Tim Burton returns to his passion project “Frankenweenie”, producing one of the first ever black-and-white stop-animation films. With a predictable plot and the trademark horror spoofs, Burton proves he’s in touch with the past conventions of classic horror like Frankenstein and the Wolfman, but fails to produce anything innovative beyond the realm of his animation. Still a solid children’s film, “Frankenweenie” entertains on the most basic of levels and nothing more.

// Produced by Tim Burton & Allison Abbate // Directed by Tim Burton //

// Dated Viewed: Saturday, January 12th, 2013 // AMAZON INSTANT //  34 films – 44 days //