Walt Disney Pictures has released the first trailer for its upcoming stop-motion family film, Frankenweenie, the most recent project of famous macabre-light director Tim Burton.
The film is intended to be a childish take on the Frankenstein story, and we can see here that it does have a certain charm. It may just be the way this trailer is cut, but the film seems more childish that I was expecting. I know it’s intended to be a family film, but from what we can see here, the film looks more like a children’s film than the cross-demographic work I believe it was intended to be.
Perhaps Burton is counting on the film’s sheer cuteness to overwhelm parents and their kids, but unlike Nightmare Before Christmas or Corpse Bride – other dark, family, stop-motions from Burton – I can’t see many childless adults showing up for this one in theaters.
One thing to note: Frankenweenie was crafted in natural 3D, if that’s important to you.
The synopsis of the film is thus:
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.
Frankenweenie is slated to hit theaters on October 5, 2012.
