Review of Frankenweenie (2012) by Wana M — 20 Feb 2013

Though the motion and expressions in Frankenweenie were much fluid compared to contemporary Paranorman, its story somehow felt inconsistent and the main themes irrelevant to each other. What did progressive thinking/ science have to do with personally moving on? Both themes Paranorman successfully joined together as the matter of moving on was brought about by being persecuted.

It still bewilders me how a backwards-thinking town can have excessively competitive kids wanting to win the science fair. Too much that they raise pets from the dead. Perhaps the kids were deeply inspired by science teacher Mr. Rzykruski? That and other links were not established and were left to the assumption of the audience.

Speaking of Mr. Rzykruski, the highlight of the film was him throwing shade at the townsfolk, and well, how precisely the animators were able to interpret canine behavior. We have to give them that.

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For the Oscar: Wreck-it Ralph and Paranorman a toss-up for the award, Brave third, Frankenweenie fourth. (Still haven't seen The Pirates.).