“Frankenweenie” is one of the best animated movies created. Everything is there: a happy family, a heartbreaking moment, and an ending that fills an audience member with tears of joy. Clocking in at 87 minutes, “Frankenweenie” (2012) explores themes of grief, censorship, and the unknown magic of science. Even now, watching it 13 years later, it endures as scary, sad, and heartwarming all in the span of one movie. 

The 2012 stop motion movie directed by Tim Burton was developed in inspiration from the 1984 live action movie of the same premise. The classic story follows young Victor Frankenstein along with his best friend and dog, Sparky. When Sparky meets his unfortunate end, Victor uses the parameters of his creepily kind science teacher to reanimate Sparky to his former glory: now undead.

“Frankenweenie” brings so many artistic morsels to the table, as many Burton films do. The animation style may not be for everyone, as it is highly dramatic and even scary at times. However, the feat of the animation is deserving of respect. Every frame in the movie is stop motion animation created with puppets, which took a total of two years to film. The powerful themes of the movie are pronounced with dramatic black and white colorization, which brings attention to the small details of the character design and puppet details.

Lack of color was explored since the beginning of the film, as that was the only film available. However, there is something to be said about the stylized film noir of today, which removes the often convoluted focus of modern movies. Black and white creates an ease on the eyes, which leaves more room for focus on the characters and plots, but also feeds into Burton’s classic gothic-style of animation and television.

At multiple points in the film, the audience is left with the thought in their heads that Sparky may not come back to life, a theme that is prevalent in almost everybody’s life. Wrestling with grief is a core human trait, a fear that resides in many. Losing a loved one is an unfortunate part of being alive, and unlike Victor, those in the audience don’t get a choice to bring them back to life. There is a chance that this movie gives us to imagine what it could be to cheat death, which in and of itself is a theme in many other films.

Namely, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” explores themes of cheating death with the curse to crew the Flying Dutchman, and in classic stories involving vampires, the cost of immortality is inhumanity. But in “Frankenweenie,” Victor does not have to give a part of himself up to bring Sparky back to life. Instead of paying a large price, Victor gets the chance to live with his best friend once again, letting the audience get a taste of relief as the innocent hope that Victor brings does not have to be ultimately repaid at a larger cost.

All of the deeper connections in the movie do not take away from its draw as a family film. With a PG rating, this movie is perfect for a Fall movie night with friends and kids. Its artistic draw with ties to grief gives a thoughtful aspect for parents, and a solo watch is recommended as well. “Frankenweenie” (2012) is a classic film that will go down in animation history – or should – as the best of all time.