Frankenweenie

http://www.disney.co.uk/frankenweenie/

Anyone who read my review of Dark Shadows will be aware that I used to be a very big Tim Burton fan, but that in recent years he has let me down again and again to the point where I very nearly didn't bother seeing Frankenweenie as I assumed it would be as bad as all his other recent offerings.

However, I did go and see Frankenweenie and I was so glad I did. Because Tim Burton is back to his cooky but heartwarming best. And all without the 'help' of usual collaborator Johnny Depp. This speaks volumes to me that the two of them need to stop working together (which has been my belief for a while now).

Not many people will know this but Tim Burton actually made Frankenweenie as a live action short film for Disney back in 1984. It tells the same story of a boy who revives his dog after it is run over by a car. It was also filmed in Black and White. Back then Disney execs deemed the film too dark and scary for children and fired Burton, who has now had the last laugh because Disney re-hired him to make this black and white stop motion version of the same film.

The story is also a very personal one for Burton who had a dog who died when he was a boy. Young Burton's love of horror stories such as Frankenstein gave him the idea for the story. I think this is one of the reason's that the film works so well. The story feels personal, and like a lot of love has been put into making it. 

Danny Elfman's beautiful score brings back memories of the wonderful work he did on my favourite Tim Burton film, Edward Scissorhands, and adds the perfect finishing touch to the brilliant voice work and animation. The film brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion and it's been quite some time since I've been able to say that about a Tim Burton feature.

The fact that this has been filmed in black and white might put some people off, it might also put kids off, but if you're a fan of old school Burton I urge you to go and see Frankenweenie and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 7.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 23rd October 2012

UK Release Date - 17th October 2012

Cast Overview:

(If you don't like knowing who the voices are DONT SCROLL DOWN! ;0)

Charlie Tahan ~ Victor Frankenstein

Catherine O'Hara ~ Mrs Frankenstein / Weird Girl / Gym Teacher

Martin Short ~ Mr Frankenstein / Mr Burgemeister / Nassor

Martin Landau ~ Mr Rzykruski

Winona Ryder ~ Elsa Van Helsing

Robert Capron ~ Bob

Conchata Ferrell ~ Bob's Mom

Director ~ Tim Burton

Writer(s) ~ Leonard Ripps (Based on his Screenplay), Tim Burton (Based on his Original Idea) and John August (Screenplay)

Dark Shadows

Mini Blog

http://darkshadowsmovie.warnerbros.com/

Dark Shadows is the first review I have done of a Johnny Depp/Tim Burton collaboration. As such, it's the first opportunity I have had to talk about my appreciation of both actor and director and the movies they have made together which I have grown up with.

Anyone who has read my randomness blog <http://ladyk23.tumblr.com/post/3815735765/im-new-here-be-kind> will know that Edward Scissorhands is a film which had a MASSIVE impact on me, both as a cinemagoer and as a person. I have no doubt that the gothic nature of that film made me a much darker person. I saw Edward Scissorhands on my 10th birthday (thanks for taking me Bro!) and soon after developed my love of all things black, cobweb-y and skulls. Lots of skulls. This is something that still forms part of who I am today. Sure I never turned into a full fledged goth (something I'm sure my mother and father are most grateful for) but I'm sitting here wearing black nail varnish and a scarf with skulls and crossbones all over it. And no-one who knows me would find this out of character. Because it's been part of who I am for so long.

From Edward onto Ed Wood, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride, Johnny and Tim could do no wrong in my eyes. Then came Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Despite my hatred of Musicals, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory is one of my favourite childhood films. Gene Wilder is perfect as the wild eyed Willy Wonka, the scenes of chocolate rivers and edible everything stayed with me long into adulthood and I would now probably consider it a bit of a guilty pleasure. The re-make however, does not conjure up the same fond memories. It was all wrong. Johnny was wrong. The umpa-lumpa's were wrong. It just should never have been made. And especially not by Johnny and Tim.

They redeemed themselves somewhat with Sweeny Todd but again as I loathe musicals this was not their best effort. Then came Alice in Wonderland. Again just all wrong. Johnny was wrong. Helena was wrong. Just no no no no no!!!!!

So I'd all but given up on the dream team when Dark Shadows was announced. It could work. Johnny and Tim again exploring the dark, gothic side of film and Johnny playing a vampire. Certainly fulfilling a long time fantasy of mine. But it didn't work. Here's why:

1) Johnny is too old to play a vampire. He's not sexy (I'm not saying in general - just not in this role) and his age makes his relationship with the young girl seem creepy.

2) The film is not funny. It tries to be but the jokes are painfully unfunny and were met by a wall of silence in the viewing I saw.

3) It's too long. The last act of the film goes on for half the length of the movie. And just when you think it's finally over, some other lame plot twist is thrown into the mix.

I really thought that this film would put Johnny and Tim firmly back to their collaborative best but it just re-affirmed something I've been suspecting for a while. That they should stop working together and instead work with new people who may liven both of them up and help them create a fresh approach. This undead tale should be burried. 4 out of 10.

Viewing Date: 13th May 2012

UK Release Date: 11th May 2012

Cast Overview:

Johnny Depp ~ Barnabas Collins

Michelle Pfeiffer ~ Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

Helena Bonham Carter ~ Dr Julia Hoffman

Eva Green ~ Angelique Bouchard

Jackie Earle Haley ~ Willie Loomis

Johnny Lee Miller ~ Roger Collins

Bella Heathcote ~ Victoria Winters/Josette DuPres

Chloe Grace Moretz ~ Carolyn Stoddard

Gulliver McGrath ~ David Collins

Director ~ Tim Burton

Writer(s) ~ Seth Grahame-Smith (Screenplay and Story), John August (Story) and Dan Curtis (Television Series)