The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/3D Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
90
Studio and Year: Disney - 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Feature running time: 87 minutes
Genre: Family
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: MVC/AVC
Video Aspect: 1.85:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, French DTS-HD 7.1 High Resolution, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Starring: Martin short, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Landau, Winona Ryder, Atticus Shaffer, Charlie Tahan
Directed by: Tim Burton
Music by: Danny Elfman
Written by: John August
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 8, 2012
"A new leash on life"
Film Synopsis:
From Disney and creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes the hilarious and offbeat “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 learn that getting a new ‘leash on life’ can be monstrous.
My Take:
Tim Burton is a visionary type director that holds true to the types of films that predominantly adhere to themes associated with the macabre, gothic tales and quirky/dark characters. His latest creation is this stop-motion animated tale based upon his 1984 live-action short film Frankenweenie. It’s a cleverly crafted family yarn that borrows heavily from Universal Studios B monster classics, specifically Frankenstein. The story revolves around the small suburban town of New Holland and Victor, a nerdy loner whose best friend is his pet pooch Sparky. When Sparky accidentally meets his demise while chasing a ball into the street Victor puts his imagination and scientific skills to good use and rigs up a lab in his attic.
He successfully brings Sparky back to life and keeps it from his parents but unfortunately not from a few of his nosey classmates who opt to try and replicate Victor’s success in order to win the upcoming science fair at school. Unbeknownst to them there was an ingredient that Victor/Sparky had which they are missing which results in rather odd creations that send the entire town into frenzy. It is up to Victor and Sparky to try and put things right. When the town discovers Victor’s secret they respond in true horror film style.
Frankenweenie is offbeat, with a wonderfully told (and familiar) story with a dark yet pleasing tone that has a throwback style which warms the heart, tickles the funny and serves as an homage to several classic movies from a bygone era. I love the idea of having the film in black and white as it adds an aesthetically genuine appeal to the subject matter. The production elements are excellent and the performances by the cast sweeten the deal. This isn’t Tim Burton’s best work but it’s an entertaining family film that targets kids as well as their parents.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for thematic material, scary images and action.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
3D Presentation: 90
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Depth (Onscreen):
- Dimension (Beyond the screen):
- Realism:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Color reproduction:
Frankenweenie 3D comes to Blu-ray Disc from Disney featuring 1080p MVC encoded video and DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.7 Mbps.
This is a rewarding 3D presentation that features few examples of overtly gimmicky effects but emphasizes excellent depth and dimension. Detail is well preserved as the image retains its high level of clarity as objects within the frame are delineated and sharp. Depth is appreciable as evidenced by the notable separation of objects and characters layered in the foreground/background which serves to visually draw you in by creating a discerning sense of virtual space occupied by things of various sizes and shapes. Fidelity appears intact as the film’s color, rich contrast and stable blacks are beautifully rendered and natural. Comparing this to the 2D version in terms of the rendering of detail, chromatic reproduction and contrast I found them to identical. I didn’t notice any distracting signs of ghosting/crosstalk or 3D related anomalies and thought it looked terrific.
Disney provides a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 channel surround mix which compliments the film’s recorded elements quite nicely. This was a well balanced presentation that features high level detail in a resplendent blend of dialogue, sound effects, bass and music with discretely placed effects and atmospherics that utilize the entire soundstage. This isn’t a dynamically enhanced mix but bass response is palpably discerning and appropriate in support of the soundtrack. The audio is crystal clear, free of the edginess and has a polished appeal enriches the listening experience.
2D Video Quality:
Video: 100
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Monochrome reproduction:
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- Compression:
Frankenweenie comes to Blu-ray Disc from Disney featuring 1080p AVC encoded video with an average bitrate of 30 Mbps.
Looking at animated films from a “colorless” perspective is something that can take a little getting used. It isn’t an issue for me which allowed me to appreciate how wonderful this presentation is. Resolution in this 1.85:1 framed high definition presentation is exquisite as images onscreen appear lucid and sharp with crisp definition. The stop motion animated imagery contains lots of fine detail that is superbly conveyed in the characters, objects and backgrounds as they appear in the frame. Blacks and contrast have excellent dynamic range which plays very well against the film’s gradational shades of gray. Whites exhibit multistage delineation so that the blend of mixed content onscreen has appreciable depth of field. This is a pristinely rendered video presentation that looks terrific in high definition.
Bonus Features:
Disc 1:
- Frankenweenie 3D Blu-ray
Disc 2:
- Frankenweenie 2D Blu-ray (plus bonus features)
- (HD) Original short: Captain Sparky and the flying saucers – 2 minutes
- (HD) Miniatures in motion: Bringing Frankenweenie to life - 23 minute documentary
- (HD) Frankenweenie exhibit tour – 4 minutes
- Original Frankenweenie live action short film – 30 minutes
- (HD) “Pet sematary” music video by Plain White T
- Bonus DVD of Frankenweenie
- Digital Copy Bonus Disc of Frankenweenie
Final Thoughts:
Based on an original story/concept by Director Tim Burton Frankenweenie is offbeat family entertainment with a dark yet pleasing tone that has a throwback style which warms the heart, tickles the funny and serves as an homage to several classic movies from a bygone era. It comes to Blu-ray from Disney in this four disc set that features top notch 3D/2D high definition video, involving 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound and a fair supplemental package that is worth checking out if you enjoyed the film. Due to the nature of both the subject matter and production style I would recommend a rental before purchase. Either way Frankenweenie on (3D or 2D) Blu-ray is worthwhile viewing. Enjoy!
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
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SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
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Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
Kids will be fine I am sure, but...........
I had a much harder time with this one vs most "adult" type films for some reason! 
Being a dog lover, any type of scene like this in a movie always kills me!
