This is my old review:"After I saw Tim Burton's full feature 'Frankenweenie' (2012) I discovered that I'd not yet seen 'Frankenweenie' (1984). I didn't know it was 'real-life' as opposed to the animated 2012 version, but that doesn't have to be a problem. But even though this one has its charms, it wasn't all that great.The premise is a funny one, but the developments are rather lame, particularly when in the end those annoying neighbors have a sudden change of heart. Then there is the lead who plays Victor, he fails to earn my sympathy. Actually, there isn't any character that is sympathetic, which also has to do with the lame story and the fact that Burton doesn't seem to know what to do with this short story other than hauling in cliché after cliché - pretty much the only original thing here is the premise, but that is simply not enough.I can sense Burton's enthusiasm here and there though, like when the boy goes to work in the attic in order to spark Sparky back to life. But all in all, this makes for a world of difference with Burton's wonderful (animated) short that preceded this, 'Vincent' (1982), and of course with other, later feature length masterpieces.5 out of 10." -End of first review-I've seen it again recently, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere, settings and animations. Maybe the story and the characters are all a bit on the lame side, but I didn't find it to be that important this time around. Sheer Burton fun is my new conclusion.From 5 + 3 = 8 out of 10!

With the upcoming release of an animated version of Frankenweenie, just in time for Halloween this year, I thought it might be a good time to review the original. What's that you have never seen the original 29 minute short created for Disney by Tim Burton? Frankenweenie was created way back in 1984, when everyone was still convinced those godless commies were going to invade our shores. This short film was supposed to be released at the same time as the re-release of Pinocchio in theaters. However, children in test screenings were horrified by the film. Disney summarily fired Burton over the creation of this film and his spending of a cool million to create it.This film might have been lost in obscurity for all time if Burton had not eventually found success and acceptance, by a wide audience with films like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Suddenly, Disney was a big fan of Tim Burton, in the hopes of cashing in a bit they added two shorts to the DVD releases of A Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie and Vincent. Hell they even added the Burton created Jack Skellington to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and Disneyworld. Seems like their is a fine line between kooky filmmaker and bankable director.The story in Frankenweenie is a rather simple, heartfelt tale of a boy, young Victor Frankenstein and his dog Sparky. While playing with Sparky young Victor accidentally throws his ball a bit too far and Sparky get killed by a car. Devastated, Victor sets out to reanimate his beloved dog Sparky. He creates a small scale mad scientist lab and successfully brings his beloved Sparky back to life.However, all does not go according to plan, as the reanimated Sparky starts to terrify the surrounding neighbors. Despite attempting to allay the neighbors fears by having a meet and greet at the family home, the neighborhood soon turns on Sparky and forms an angry mob. This mob chases Sparky and young Victor to an abandoned miniature golf course. Will Sparky and Victor escape the mob or will the mob extract vengeance on the terror that has been reanimated.At its core this film is mildly dark comedy that pays homage to the classic Universal Monster films, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. The decision to shoot the film in black and white only serves to add to the creepy atmosphere. The recreation of the windmill scene at the end Frankenstein via the use of the miniature golf course borders on genius. Less a film about the horror or reanimation the dead than a commentary of American fears, mass hysteria and mob mentality at the time of its release, Frankenweenie is a short early peek into the mind of cinematic virtuoso Tim Burton.If you enjoy the Classic Universal horror films, or are a fan of Tim Burton this is certainly worth a watch. The scares are mild and the mood is lighthearted, I would be surprised if any children reacted in horror like that test audience long ago. The film is included with your DVD copy of A Nightmare Before Christmas and can be viewed in under 30 minutes.

This Tim Burton movie, produced by Disney while Burton's first career there as a conceptual artist, is the weakest movie by him I have seen to date. And notice well that that comes from someone who adores him !In his previous movie (Vincent) Burton advised us about accepting the uncommon ones as they could be exceptional, through a tale of a talented, not understood, kid. Being uncommon is a subject I'm convinced Burton has suffered from early in his life, especially in Disney, putting in mind his eccentric imagination and instant craze of the whole horror genre. Now with (Frankenweenie) he counties the trouble of his lead kid in (Vincent); where both refer to none other than Burton himself. It's about winning the appreciation of something dear and lovely that may seem ugly or horrific for others, which could equal a different talent or a superficially unpleasant person, or – simply – a moviemaker who's interested in such matters. The thing, here, is that Burton wanted to be himself and Disney's as well. And that's where the taste got mixed up.The movie is dark, with an idea of accepting the zombie (!). In the same time, it tries to allege a happy end where the entire refusing mob – of that zombie – turns into caring, loving and rescuing friends, actually with the "bride" of Frankenstein, sorry.. Frankenweenie, moment; it's a very happy end !I thought that Burton maybe would have preferred an end where the dog and the boy die, as long as that society expels them form its understanding or mercy. Or maybe the boy would be saved by the dog which got to die later as a martyr of sacrificing or a murdered of mala fides. However, he gave us that extremely smiling end to lose being a scary melancholic tale, while not being a colorful gay Disney movie either. This movie stood on the middle with no satisfaction or beautiful special taste.The direction isn't dazzling or interesting; the resurrection scene – which is the best scene – is just fair, and the steadicam's shots were done before in The Shining (1980). The images of the neighbors getting horrified by the zombie, absolutely innocent, dog were exaggerated and unbelievable. All the sets didn't harmonize with the huge very artistic pet cemetery's set. The sense of humor is totally lost (a spoof of Frankenstein my foot !), only a lame line about the mother's sister, which looks finally a bit misplaced. And the dog's make up as zombie is so primitive, silent movies primitive ! The music is the sole great factor, however of course not redeeming enough. I didn't wonder when I read that Burton was fired from Disney for "wasting" their resources on films like this. It has nothing to do with their known by heart goods. At any case, he would return to the same subject, accepting and appreciating the uncommon, many times throughout his next smarter years to an extent makes (Frankenweenie) a hasty rehearsal for (Edward Scissorhands) six years later.So it's, at best, a hasty rehearsal more than a movie. It belongs to Burton's world, but not as balanced or enjoyable as the rest of his works. And it couldn't gain being a raven or a pigeon, ending up as something in between, badly hybrid ! P.S : unlike many, including Burton himself, I don't see this movie as a short remake of Frankenstein aimed at children. I deem it a short dark remake of the decade's icon E.T, with the same suburban, friendship between a kid and uncommon creature, hateful grown-ups, sympathetic parents, chase to destroy the creature, that creature's power of goodness, and happy end with the long-wanted appreciation achieved.

It's easy to see where this wonderful little tale got its inspiration from. It was from the 1931 film 'Frankenstein', which is only strengthened by the fact that this is filmed in black and white. This short is like a lighter version of 'Frankenstein'. It's more cute than scary or macabre, although it still has some of that familiar dark feeling. Above all the things, this is film-making of quality, with awesome visuals in a Gothic style.The music is terrific, the pace is excellent, the locations cinematography is marvelous, the characters are generally likable, the actors are great, there is humor... it's a little movie that oozes charm and nostalgia.Barret Oliver, the cute kid from 'The Neverending Story' (1984) and 'D.A.R.Y.L.' (1985), is once again terrific, here as Victor Frankenstein. Shelley Duvall aka "Olive Oyl" offers another great performance as Susan Frankenstein. Daniel Stern is Ben Frankenstein. Even here he already showed potential as a comic (and this was years before becoming a superstar with the first two 'Home Alone' movies). Even looking younger and without beird and mustache, ain't no mistaking on that "Marv" face.And there is also Sparky the Bull Terrier, awesome as Sparky (just like his name in real life). Sparky is a nice name for a dog. Bull Terriers have got to be among the most peculiar-looking dogs, in great part thanks to their unique head in the shape of an egg.The title 'Frankenweenie' is unusual. I can perfectly see where it got the "Franken" from. As for the "weenie", it probably is meant to make one realize it's a "kid's version" so that it's suitable for kids to watch and not scary like the original tale.This "piece of a watchmaker's shop" is the best thing Tim Burton ever did. This is his masterpiece.Title in Portugal: 'Frankenweenie', I guess.