Frankenweenie

Film Review by Nicola Balkind | 11 Oct 2012
Film title: Frankenweenie
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Atticus Shaffer, Frank Welker, Christopher Lee
Release date: 17 Oct
Certificate: PG

With Frankenweenie, Tim Burton returns to an old tale (his 1984 short), to animation, and to form. A delicious mixture of 3D and black and white, this zombie dog story will delight both Burton die-hards and youngsters who think Jack Skellington is a goth clothing label. Set in a quaint yet eerie Scissorhands-like suburban America, the story revolves around Victor, a sensitive kid whose spare time is best spent making home movies with his dog, Sparky.

When an omen written in kitty-poo, a Science Fair project, and a car and Sparky collide, Victor brings the yapper back to life as a Frankenstein-esque canine. When others get whiff of Sparky's reanimation, they ignore Stephen King's warnings and head straight for the pet cemetery. Burton’s trademark darkness flirts with horror, providing thrills and scares from its adorably creepy cast. You’ll find no Johnny or Helena here, but Christopher Lee, Martin Short, and Atticus Shaffer add colour to this crisp monochrome caper.

Frankinweenie is released 17 Oct by Disney