FRANKENWEENIE 3D [2012 / 2013] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray] [UK Release] Funny, Touching and Exquisitely Handmade! From The Director of Alice in Wonderland!
From Disney and creative genius Tim Burton [‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’] comes the hilarious and offbeat ‘FRANKENWEENIE,’ is a heart-warming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor Frankenstein 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 Frankenstein's fellow students, teachers and the entire town learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous.
Complete with electrifying bonus features. ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ is alive with enchanting fun for the whole family.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2012 Awards Circuit Community Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature Film for Allison Abbate and Tim Burton [Runner-up]. 2012 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2012 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2012 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2012 Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2012 Golden Schmoes Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Movie of the Year. 2012 IGN Summer Movie Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Movie. 2012 Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2012 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Win: Best Animation for Tim Burton. 2012 Nevada Film Critics Society: Win: NFCS Award for Best Animated Film. 2012 New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Animated Film. 2012 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2012 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards: Nominated: Rondo Statuette for Best Film for Tim Burton. 2012 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2012 Satellite Awards: Nominated: Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media. 2012 Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2012 St. Louis Film Critics Association, USA: Nominated: SLFCA Award for Best Animated Film for Tim Burton. 2012 Toronto Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2012 Utah Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature Film. 2012 Village Voice Film Poll: Nominated: VVFP Award for Best Animated Feature Film [3rd place]. 2012 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2013 Academy Awards®: Nominated: Best Animated Feature for Tim Burton. 2013 Golden Globes: Nominated: Best Animated Feature Film. 2013 BAFTA Awards: Nominated: BAFTA Film Award for Best Animated Film for Tim Burton. 2013 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Saturn Award for Best Animated Film. Win: Saturn Award for Best Music for Danny Elfman. 2013 Alliance of Women Film Journalists: Nominated: EDA Award for Best Animated Feature Film for Tim Burton. 2013 American Cinema Editors: Nominated: Eddie Award for Best Edited Animated Feature Film for Chris Lebenzon and Mark Solomon. 2013 Annie Awards: Nominated: Production Design in an Animated Feature Production for Rick Heinrichs. Nominated: Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Atticus Shaffer as the voice of "Edgar 'E' Gore." Nominated: Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Catherine O'Hara as the voice of "Weird Girl." Nominated: Writing in an Animated Feature Production for John August. Nominated: Best Animated Feature for Walt Disney Pictures. 2013 Behind the Voice Actors Awards: Win: BTVA Voice Acting Award for Best Male Vocal Performance by a Child for Atticus Shaffer as the voice of "Edgar 'E' Gore." 2013 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Animated Feature. 2013 Casting Society of America: Nominated: Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting for an Animation Feature for Jen Rudin (location casting) and Ronna Kress (casting director). 2013 Central Ohio Film Critics Association: Nominated: COFCA Award for Best Animated Film. 2013 Cinema Audio Society, USA: Nominated: C.A.S. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Motion Pictures in an Animated Feature for Doc Kane (original dialogue mixer), Michael Semanick (re-recording mixer), Tom Johnson (re-recording mixer), Christopher Boyes (re-recording mixer), Dennis S. Sands (scoring mixer) and Glen Gathard (foley mixer). 2013 Denver Film Critics Society: Nominated: DFCS Award for Best Animated Film. 2013 Georgia Film Critics Association: Nominated: GAFCA Award for Best Animated Film. 2013 Gold Derby Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film for Tim Burton. 2013 Houston Film Critics Society Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2013 International Cinephile Society Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Film. 2013 International Film Music Critics Award: Nominated: Best Original Score for an Animated Film for Danny Elfman. 2013 International Online Cinema Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature for Tim Burton. 2013 Italian Online Movie Awards: Win: Best Animated Feature Film (Miglior film d'animazione) for Tim Burton. 2013 Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA: Nominated: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing and Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR in an Animation Feature Film for Oliver Tarney (supervising sound editor, sound designer), Michael Fentum (sound designer), Bjorn Ole Schroeder (supervising dialogue editor), Peter Burgis (foley artist), Andie Derrick (foley artist), Jack Stew (foley artist), Jason Swanscott (foley artist), Dillon Bennett (editor) and Steve Browell (editor). Nominated: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing and Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR in an Animation Feature Film for Glen Gathard (foley). 2013 North Carolina Film Critics Association: Nominated: NCFCA Award for Best Animated Film. 2013 Online Film & Television Association: Nominated: OFTA Film Award for Best Animated Picture for Allison Abbate and Tim Burton. 2013 Online Film Critics Society Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature. 2013 PGA Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures for Allison Abbate and Tim Burton. 2013 World Soundtrack Awards: Nominated: Film Composer of the Year for Danny Elfman. 2013 Young Artist Awards: Win: Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role in a Feature Film for a Young Actor for Charlie Tahan.
FILM FACT No.2: ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ was the first black-and-white feature film with the first stop-motion film to be released in IMAX 3D. Although Tim Burton signed with Walt Disney Pictures to direct two films in Disney Digital 3-D, including ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and his remake of his first stop motion ‘FrankenWeenie’ film to the development for its full-length stop motion version dates as far back as November 2005, when scripts had been written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott. John August was approached for a rewrite in 2006, but was not hired until January 2009. Like the original, the feature version is shot in black and white. Many of the animation artists and crew from Corpse Bride are involved. In addition to remaking his earlier project, Tim Burton is also borrowing heavily from his design from the titular character of Family Dog for Sparky.
Voice Cast: Catherine O'Hara (Mrs. Frankenstein / Weird Girl / Gym Teacher), Martin Short (Mr. Frankenstein / Mr. Burgemeister / Nassor), Martin Landau (Mr. Rzykruski), Charlie Tahan (Victor Frankenstein), Atticus Shaffer (Edgar 'E' Gore), Winona Ryder (Elsa Van Helsing), Robert Capron (Bob), James Hiroyuki Liao (Toshiaki), Conchata Ferrell (Bob's Mom), Tom Kenny (New Holland Towns Folk), Dee Bradley Baker (Persephone van Helsing / Shelly / Were-Rat / Colossus / Mr. Whiskers / Driver) (uncredited), Jeff Bennett (Giant Sea Monkeys) (uncredited), Jon Donahue (Additional Voices) (uncredited), Sir Christopher Lee (Movie Dracula) (archive footage) (uncredited), Melissa Stribling (Movie Mina) (archive footage) (uncredited) and Frank Welker (Sparky Frankenstein) (uncredited)
Director: Tim Burton
Producers: Allison Abbate, Connie Nartonis Thompson, Derek Frey, Don Hahn, Simon Quinn and Tim Burton
Screenplay: John August (screenplay), Leonard Ripps (1984 screenplay) and Tim Burton (original idea)
Composer: Danny Elfman
Cinematography: Peter Sorg (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio,
Spanish [Castilian]: 5.1 DTS Digital Surround
Brazilian [Português]: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Audio Description
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish and Português
Running Time: 87 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 2
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: A boy's best friend is his dead dog in Tim Burton's ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ [2012] which is an extended remake of the director's 1984's ‘FrankenWeenie’ short film which didn't see the light of day until a decade later and cost him his job with the same studio now fronting this lengthier animated version. It's an interesting piece of cosmic irony, particularly since he was fired for making something deemed too scary for younger viewers. Thirty years later, the same could still be said of this longer take, which adds extra 50-minutes of spooks and frights to the original and sees neighbourhood kids bring their beloved pets back from the dead. Yet, the heart-warming story of a boy and his dog is the glue keeping everything together, even when things are at their wildest, mixing the scares with plenty of laughs.
Whereas the original is a live-action short starring Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern, and a plucky Bull Terrier, this remake is a stop-motion animated feature with a host of voice talents and a lively cartoon Bull Terrier strutting lots more stitches than its predecessor. The time and setting has also changed into the quaint, peaceful town of New Holland and its name prominently displayed like the Hollywood sign on the side of a hill overlooking neighbourhoods borrowed directly from Tim Burton's ‘Edward Scissorhands.’
The central plot remains the same, however, with little Victor Frankenstein [Charlie Tahan] losing his hairy companion while chasing a baseball into the middle of the road. His parents Mr. Frankenstein [Martin Short] and Mrs. Frankenstein [Catherine O'Hara] do what they can to comfort him, but the intelligent kid with a passion for science is set on reviving his slobbering buddy.
Victor Frankenstein tries to keep his act against nature a secret, and the upcoming school science fair is the perfect guise from which he can work without suspicion. An oddly cute scene has him sneak by his parents, who are watching Hammer Film's classic ‘Horror of Dracula’ with Sir Christopher Lee, while dragging a burlap sack with the remains of his dog. Shortly after, crabby next-door neighbour Mayor Bergermeister [Martin Short] sees Victor Frankenstein on the roof setting off kites and an umbrella during a thunderstorm. The entire sequence echoes the same feel and look of James Whale's two ‘Frankenstein’ feature films, awash in dark, ominous shadows and shot in a variety of canted high angles.
It's not long before the town catches wind of the experiment, thanks largely to the hunchbacked Edgar 'E' Gore [Atticus Shaffer] who looks a bit like a child-version of Peter Lorre, and the story makes an obvious departure from its source, suddenly growing in size and scope. Writing credits this time around go to John August ['Dark Shadows' and 'Big Fish'], who expands the parody and homage elements of Tim Burton's original into a love letter to classic horror cinema. The aforementioned sequence, which was mostly taken from the short film, is only one of several clever but not very subtle references made throughout. For horror and stop-motion aficionados, ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ becomes a quirky game of name that movie, while younger viewers sit in awe at the amazing hand-crafted artistry that went into making this wonderful animated fantasy.
Mayor Bergermeister shrewdly mimics his ill-tempered, stop-motion counterpart in the classic Christmas special, 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.' Winona Ryder channels her performance from Tim Burton's 'Beettlejuice' to play the Mayor's niece, the melancholic Elsa van Helsing. Toshiaki [James Hiroyuki Liao] is a strange classmate who acts as the story's enemy with eccentrically funny Fu Manchu sensibilities and whose pet hilariously transforms into a Gamera-like behemoth. Martin Short also provides the voice to Nassor, a flat-headed kid who resembles Boris Karloff and whose mummy hamster eventually leads to his being wrapped inside a sarcophagus. Best of all is Martin Landau lending his splendid talent to the science teacher Mr. Rzykruski, the inspiration behind Victor Frankenstein’s experiment and who is a loving homage to horror icon Vincent Price.
Somewhere in the middle, ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ loses a bit of its spark and edge at one point in the animation film, but it never loses much of its amazing charm with its knowing puns and nods to classic horror cinema. The stop-motion film is an enchantingly playful macabre tale which can frighten the youngest in the crowd, but it will fascinate and win over movie lovers who are still young at heart, giving Tim Burton’s directing career a much needed jolt of life.
* * * * *
3D Blu-ray Image Quality – Tim Burton's latest gothic fairy tale dazzles and sparkles on the “Real 3D” Blu-ray with a 1080p reference-quality image. Presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the film leans more towards a natural sense of depth rather than eye-popping stunts that'll make jump back. Granted, there are a couple gimmick shots that lunge at the screen, which are quite amusing, but there aren't many. The photography is on generating a convincing spatial environment in which the characters move independently of each other, and it works like a charm. Background information pierces deep into the screen with a great feel of distance and remarkable separation. Several scenes are beautifully layered for a terrific pop-up book effect which adds to the script's fairy tale quality. In spite of the dark glasses, contrast remains pitch-perfect, with brilliant whites, allowing for some extraordinary moments of visibility of the smallest background objects in the distance. The tiny little lines on the windmill and the lettering of the town's name on the hill are as clear as anything else in the foreground during those extreme wide shots. Black levels are inky rich and true with a penetrating intensity in the darkest portions without sacrificing any of the detailing. Gradations in the grayscale are spot-on and exceptional. From the blades of grass to the stitching and threading of baseball caps, details are razor-sharp. Ultra-fine lines on the face of Mr. Rzykruski, the science teacher, like the wrinkles around his eyes or just over his mouth, are very distinct and defined. Individual hairs, whether on the various animals or atop the heads of characters, are plainly perceptible and seem to move freely with the wind. Close-ups are particularly impressive as they expose minor blemishes made during each figurines making, giving them a great deal of texture and realism. The overall “Real 3D” image is a superb high-definition transfer of a fun animated feature.
3D Blu-ray Audio Quality – ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ comes to life on Blu-ray with a highly entertaining 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack that surrounds and engages with a variety of classic horror cues. The most prominent effect is the sound of thunder and lightning, which cracks and booms with a deafening roar, that spreads to all seven speakers evenly. During the less exciting scenes, such as during school hours, we can still hear a few atmospherics in the rears, creating a subtle but wonderfully engrossing sound field. Danny Elfman's musical score does the majority of the work, consistently filling the background with its unique mix of circus-like merriment and understated gothic tones. In the front, imaging feels wide and expansive with other random discrete sounds which are convincing and engaging. Dynamic range is room-penetrating and extensive, allowing the crack of thunder to come in with astonishing clarity and distinctness. The orchestration in Danny Elfman's music is vivid and crystal-clear. Low-frequency effects are responsive and substantial with some surprisingly authoritative moments in a few scenes. Amid all the mayhem, the voices of actors are precise and well-prioritised; giving fans plenty to love in this entertaining family horror feature.
* * * * *
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Original Short Film: ‘Captain Sparky vs. The Flying Saucers’ [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:00] ‘Captain Sparky vs. The Flying Saucers’ is the home-made animation film created by Victor Frankenstein and starring his dog Sparky which is seen in the animated “Real 3D” film ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ proper. Voice Cast: Charlie Tahan as Victor Frankenstein. Directed by Mark Waring. Screenplay by Derek Frey. Produced by Allison Abbate and Tim Burton. Music by Danny Elfman. Cinematography by Malcolm Hadley.
Special Feature: Miniatures in Motion: Bringing ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ to Life [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [23:00] Here we have interviews with the crew; and this short documentary is an in-depth look at the making of the movie and expanding it into a full-length feature. Taking place at the London-based studios, viewers are granted access to the design, set construction, casting, puppet building, props and concept artwork employed. The scenes of ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ in this charming and thorough production documentary; an extensive and engaging overview that leaves no stop-motion stone unturned. Director Tim Burton, executive producer Don Hahn, producer Allison Abbate, animation director Trey Thomas and other notable members of the crew discuss everything from the London-based Three Mills Studio project to the film's expanded story, script, characters, miniature sets, models and puppets, design and style, relatively large sets and props, construction, art direction, casting, voice performances and recordings, and much more. Fans may lament the lack of a commentary or longer doc, but it doesn't get much better than this, even at just twenty-three minutes.
Special Feature: ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ Touring Exhibit [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [5:00] Sketches, Production Photographs, Models, Interactive Exhibits and more grace “The Art of FrankenWeenie Exhibition,” which is an art show put on by the filmmakers to showcase the detail, passion and effort that went into creating the ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ animation film. “The Art of FrankenWeenie Exhibition” captures the magic of the filmmaking process and gives audiences an exclusive glimpse into the stop-motion animation process brought to life by visionary filmmaker Tim Burton. From original sketches drawn by Tim Burton, to extensive props, sets and puppets, the exhibition showcases the artistic detail and vision that has gone into bringing this heart-warming tale to the big screen in 2012’s most highly anticipated animated film. “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition” delves into the world of a boy who, inspired by science and the love of his dog, brings his beloved pet back from the dead. The “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition” travelled the world showcasing the puppets, props and artwork used in the ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ animated “Real 3D” film.
Special Feature: Original Live-Action FrankenWeenie Short Film [1984] [1080p] [1.47:1] [30:00] Tim Burton's 1984 ‘FrankenWeenie’ original short film of the same name, starring young Barret Oliver [‘The NeverEnding Story's Bastian’], Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern. Just don't pass this one by. Though a bit clunky at times and rough around the edges, it's actually far more satisfying than Tim Burton's full-length animated feature. Voice Cast: Shelley Duvall, Daniel Stern, Barret Oliver, Joseph Maher, Roz Braverman, Paul Bartel, Sofia Coppola, Jason Hervey, Paul C. Scott, Helen Boll, Sparky (dog) and Rusty James. Directed by Tim Burton. Screenplay by Leonard Ripps (screenplay) and Tim Burton (based on an original idea). Produced by Julie Hickson and Rick Heinrichs. Music by David Newman and Michael Convertino. Cinematography by Thomas E. Ackerman.
Special Feature: Music Video "Pet Sematary" [1989] [1080p] [1.37:1] [3:25] The Plain White T's perform their cover version of The Ramones song "Pet Sematary." Reception for the song was not entirely positive, as it was nominated for the now-defunct Razzie Award for Worst Original Song in 1989. The song was originally written for the Stephen King ‘Pet Sematary’ film adaptation of the same name. The single became one of The Ramones' biggest radio hits, and a staple in their concerts during the 1990s.
Finally, an extended and imaginatively expanded remake of Tim Burton's live-action short film, ‘FRANKENWEENIE’ is a totally delightfully fun and macabre tale about a boy and his dog. Overflowing with several nods and puns, some more deliciously clever than others, the stop-motion family film charms its way into the hearts of movie lovers as a whimsical love letter to classic horror cinema. The Blu-ray comes to life with a reference-quality video presentation, excellent 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and a strong assortment of bonus material, making the overall package a massive well worth purchase. I saw this in the cinema in 3D and was quite impressed, but now seeing it in the ultimate “Real 3D” Blu-ray, it brings this amazing stop motion animation to full life and it has now gone pride of place in my extensive Walt Disney Blu-ray Collection. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
