Frankenweenie

[sikmansam]

I did kind of expect better from this, and ParaNorman is so many leagues ahead. Still, it was at least funny in parts and the animation was spot on. It was also quite a refreshing take packed with references and dark humor, even if the 3D was barely noticeable.

7/10

[The Sparrow]

Saw it this morning, chose it over The Beasts of Southern Wild. Not sure it was the best choice.
The puppets / sets / animation / picture are brilliant, it's a real pleasure for the eyes.
But while I enjoyed Dark Shadows lat night, and usually love Tim Burton's films, I got quickly bored with this one. Too long for a rather simple story that didn't deserve 87 minutes.
I liked it, but it wasn't amazing and I left the place thinking I could have been in bed or at another screening.
6/10, the picture saves it

[spoiler]and please explain me why electricity killed the big rat while it's supposed to give the zombi-creatures more energy... maybe I missed something (?)[/spoiler]

You enjoyed Dark Shadows? Wow. I've never heard that said before!

[Octopus]

I was actually talking to a friend about it and realized that when I watched it I was 1) tired and 2) thinking about similarities with Edward Scissorhands.
That might explain what I liked it (apart from the werewolf thingy that was completely stupid).

[jeanelle]

I loved this and didn't have any problems with the 3D (though it really didn't seem necessary). The characters were great, both human and animal, clever stunts, a nice little story and stunning animation. Liked the black and white for a change. Much better than Hotel Transylvania imho and could watch it again. They had Sparky the dog at the screening today but I'd really like Mr Whiskers!

[raj101]

Well this was another typical Burton. Good imagination, nods to the genre all over the place but a weak plot and script. Trouble with Tim is that when he gets an idea that doesnt work, he goes with it. Which is why we get mired with a dull monotone movie shot entirely in B/W in place of what should be a film full of colour for the kids. Silly Tim. When will you get the sense to let someone else direct?

Whilst theres about enough to just engage you for the movie's length and it was quite funny in places, I cant see children wanting to sit through all of this. When the highlight of the movie is 'the girl with poo', then you know theres something lacking (though she was perhaps unintentionally hilarious, had me in fits).

Great backgrounds and setting and animation, and it picks up towards the end but thats no excuse for this missed oppportunity.

[canadian_turtle]

I seem to be in the minority here but I loved this film. I thought it was a wonderful family adaptation of Shelley's classic novel with fun references for adults throughout. I particularly enjoyed matching all Victor's creepy classmates to classic literary monsters, but the true star of the film was Sparky, so adorable! Can't blame Victor for bringing him back

The 3D was largely unnoticeable (it didn't pop out of the screen) but it did add much-needed depth to a black and white film that otherwise could've looked very monotone.

I may have almost shed a tear or two... 8/10

[prettyxcool]

No, c_t, you are not in the minority, we all enjoyed it, me, OH and my other friends. I agree with you too about the 3D, it added depth rather than popping out. I thought the film was very well done, lots of humour in a rather sad story, of another loner, [spoiler]but as a typical disney film, there had to be a nice ending![/spoiler] The eyes of the characters were so amazing though, and expressed so much! 8/10

Lovely to see jeancomp, valda and c_t before the screening, which was packed! My friend also got the last goody bag, as I waved frantically to the guy throwing them out, as he was aiming at me, my friend reached out and grabbed it, as I was grabbing it too!

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I didnt actually see this as a preview with you guys, as it was on limited release all day today. So I saw a later show of it today with my Cineworld unlimited (would have been nice to see it with fmukers though!)

This is not a great film, its just ok. It has the Tim Burton visual gothic flair that he so loves to languish on us in 90% of his movies but there is absolutely nothing fresh in either the visuals or in the narrative. There is the usual Burton twisted humour, sentiment and enjoyment but its all on a superficial level. The story has no surprises, is formulaic and bit old hat now. Also, having seen Paranorman a few days ago, I cant help noticing the use of the same damn formula of a gifted kid with no friends causing fear in a community which results in a Springfield type riot/witchhunt.

There are of course a plethora of blatant nods to classic horror movies which is ok and I usually love that but so many movies are doing that now that future horror movies will be doing a pastiche of films that are already a pastiche of older films.

If all a Burton fan wants is a typical Burton in his comfort zone, refusing to broaden his horizons then they might be satisfied enough with this but it hasnt any of the innovation, charm and gothic entertainment of better films in the stop motion animated genre like Selick's Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, or even Burton last stop-mo foray, Corpse's Bride.

And how many times is Mr Elfman going to score a Tim Burton film with the same chord arrangements? The main motif of Batman Returns is clearly identifiable in this film. Maybe Elfman is also getting a bit weary of the same old same old of his long time collaboration with Burton that he cant help being on auto either. Its a decent score but we've heard it before.

I opted to see this in 3d at the O2 Superscreen (there was a 2d option screening) which is actually very good as is often the case with animated movies. Both in depth and some cool popping out of screen moments. Since the film is made in black and white, there isnt much concern for washed out colours that 3d suffers from but of course it is still dimmer. Again 3D can be pretty good with animation but not with real life action.

Youngsters will really enjoy this though but I hope the younger children dont go home and kill their hamster just to try bring it back to life by plugging the hamster's feet into a mains socket...!

6.5/10

Come on Tim, we love your trademark gothicism but dont keep phoning it in. Challenge yourself with your next film, stop being generic, dont let failures like Planet of the Apes put you off doing something different (although I can understand how that pathetic failure can put you off). Give us another Beetlejuice, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Mars Attacks, something fresh but still with your distinct signature again.

[zakurya]

More of just Tim Burtons orgy with pseudo-noir pretentiousness. Although it was very nicely animated.

[sikmansam]

My review for this: