Frankenweenie Madness - A Preview

Frankenweenie Poster

     The past couple of days there has been a boat load of Frankenweenie news and I thought a blog post collecting all of it would be nice! For any of you that don't know, Frankenweenie is a black and white Stop-Motion film directed by Tim Burton. It is being distributed by Disney and is being released on October 5, 2012. Here is the official movie description:
     From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor 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’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous. 
     Now I don't know about you, but I think this movie sounds to be incredible. I love seeing support for Stop-Motion films and I believe this is the perfect medium for this film. I also love that it was filmed in black and white which I think adds an eerily beautiful quality to the film that seems fitting for its off-beat story. Both of those combined will make up for the character designs, which look like they could have been pulled straight out of "The Corpse Bride".

The trailer for the film focuses on Victor and his love for his dog. One of my favorite things about it is how it shows the innocent, albeit creepy, idea of a boy just trying to bring his best friend back. The whole film looks to have a heart warming tale full of characters that are full of personality. I'm also really looking forward to the humor of this film. The part where Sparky loses his tail isn't the funniest thing you have ever seen, but it's a perfect example of the sort of dark humor Tim Burton and his team are bringing to this film. The film has the ability to be a great film, but it might also fall flat; it's walking a very fine line and can still go either way. I think that it will be an amazing film however, and I have high hopes for this movie. Now that we have gone over the story, let's take a closer look at the characters. Recently Disney released a number of character posters and descriptions which I have collected for you here. 

Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein

Mr. & Mrs. Frankenstein

voiced by Catherine O'Hara & Martin Short

Mr. Frankenstein is a travel agent, friendly and social, who likes to dispense roundabout advice to his son. He is proud of Victor’s accomplishments, but is concerned he doesn’t have any friends other than Sparky. He would prefer his son be more social and encourages him to join the baseball team. Mr. Frankenstein has a playful and loving relationship with his wife, Victor’s mom.

Mrs. Frankenstein is a loving and supportive mother who encourages her son’s scientific pursuits, even when her kitchen appliances end up in his attic lab. She is an avid reader and loves to watch movies with her husband and enjoys the company of her family and her books. 

Victor Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein
voiced by Charlie Tahan

Victor Frankenstein is a clever and industrious 10-year-old boy who is inspired by science. He lives with his parents and dog, Sparky, in the town of New Holland. Victor immerses himself in making films and inventing in his attic workshop. When Sparky dies in a car accident, Victor uses scientific ingenuity to bring him  back to life.

Sparky

Sparky

Sparky is a devoted and playful bull terrier whose sense of curiosity is matched only by his beloved owner, Victor. Sparky enjoys chasing after balls and being the star of Victor’s homemade movies. He exudes tons of energy and enthusiasm, which even his untimely death doesn’t diminish.

Bob's Mom

Bob's Mom 

voiced by Conchata Ferrell

Bob’s Mom is a plump, suburban housewife who is prone to panic and hysteria when things go awry. She has very simple, stereotypical views on life, which she isn’t shy about sharing with the community. She dotes on her son Bob and believes her actions, though often misguided, are in his best interest.

Bob

Bob

voiced by Robert Capron

Bob is a momma’s boy who is the brawn to Toshiaki’s brains. He is agreeable and never mean-spirited, but on the flip side he’s easily led and gullible. Bob followsToshiaki everywhere, but is the first one to run to Victor for help when he gets in over his head. 

Persphone

Persphone

Persephone is a perfectly groomed black poodle with an enormously large poof of hair on her head. She is curious and flirtatious with Sparky and fiercely loyal to Elsa, her owner. When Persephone and Sparky first meet in the backyard, the attraction is instantaneous and electrifying. 

Elsa van Helsing

Elsa Van Helsing
voiced by Winona Ryder

Elsa Van Helsing is a soulful and somber classmate of Victor. She lives next door to him with her tyrant uncle, Mayor Burgemeister, who forces her to be this year’s “Little Dutch Girl” at the town’s celebration of Dutch Day. Elsa also has a beloved pet, her poodle Persephone, and truly empathizes with Victor when he loses Sparky.  

Toshiaki

Toshiaki

voiced by James Hiroyuki Liao

Toshiaki is over-achieving and mega-competitive. He delights in beating Victor at his own game and like a power-hungry, mad scientist, Toshiaki will stop at nothing to win the top prize in the school’s science fair—even if it means stealing Victor’s ideas to do it. 

The Art of Frankenweeni Exhibition Poster

     If that wasn't enough for you to take in, there's more! Disney is launching a touring art exhibit which will give audiences a behind the scenes look and the Stop-Motion animation process, early sketches from the film drawn by Burton, puppets, props, and sets. "The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition" will premiere in Barcelona, Spain, at CineEurope, June 18-21, and in the U.S. at Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego, California, July 11-15. When the tour is complete it will have visited seven countries, including Spain, France, England, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the U.S.A. Speaking of the U.S., it will also be showing in Anaheim, California, September 14-November 5. If you aren't lucky enough to live near either of those places, I have even more good news! Disney has set up a VIP Sweepstakes for us! The winner will win a trip to San Diego and two tickets to Comic-Con! It also comes with VIP passes to "The Art of Frankeenweenie Exhibition", which includes a chance to meet Tim Burton! Enter here: 

 http://disney.go.com/frankenweenie/sweepstakes.html

     But wait, there's more! It's hard to believe but the Frankenweenie Madness continues. Shock Till You Drop has visited 3 Mills Studios where Frankenweenie is being made and have an interview with the Producer and Art Director of the film. It gives some insight on the film that we haven't quite heard of yet such as each character being based of an old horror movie character, the difficulties of stop motion, and more!  It's really an interesting read! Head over and check it out for yourself at:  http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/164301-set-visit-tim-burtons-frankenweenie

     Shock Till You Drop also has a video featuring behind the scenes at 3 Mills Studios where we get to see more of the set and film making process, this time narrator by Tim Burton.

     Well everyone, that's all I have on Frankenweenie for you now! It looks like there has been a lot of hard work on this film and it appears to be paying off! This film seriously looks amazing, specifically the character design and animation. I can't wait to see a little more of the film in action for it is truly beautiful. Keep this one on your radars folks, it's going to be great! After all, "Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean I can't believe it!"