Starring: Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder, Charlie Tahan, Martin Short
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 4/5
Tim Burton has returned to the format of stop motion animation for his new movie Frankenweenie for the first time since The Corpse Bride back in 2005.
The movie is a remake of a short Burton made back in 1984 as well as being a bit of an homage to the story of Frankenstein.
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 all learn that getting a new 'leash on life' can be monstrous.
It is great to see Burton back working with stop motion animation as this is where he excels and, you feel, where his heart truly lies.
The black and white film really is beautiful and it gives and even greater eeriness to the movie and the events that unfold.
This is one of the most endearing and touching animation movies of the year - only someone with a heart of stone will not be moved by this young's boys love for his dog.
But you can tell that this is a movie that has been crafted with real love and affection as Burton revisits a tale that he told for the first time nearly thirty years ago.
The likes of Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder and Charlie Tahan really deliver great vocal performances that really help bring an array of characters to life.
Tahan is especially great as Victor as the emotion just pours out of him at the beginning of the movie making certain scenes very moving.
There is something here for the whole family as children with enjoy the experiments while the nod back to the 1930's horror gene is something for the adults.
And while there is a great mix of comedy as well as the macabre there is a real heart and soul to this film and only someone with a heart of stone will be failed to be touched by it.
Frankenweenie is one of the Burton's best movies in years and it really does deserve a Best Animated Film Oscar nomination because it is a quirky and moving movie that looks truly beautiful - it's like no other animation movie this year!
Frankenweenie is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Tim Burton Frankenweenie