Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2012

Tim Burton’s best and most personal film in a while is impossible to dislike. Stripped down, it’s the macabre yet heartfelt story of how a science-geek kid does a Frankenstein on his freshly run-over dog. Amusing enough, but what makes this lovingly crafted, B&W romp come alive is the way Burton sutures together dozens of throwaway and sight gags (a pet cemetery tombstone inscribed with the words “Goodbye Kitty”) and references to classic horror movies. Kids will have fun, but moviegoing adults will like this emotionally and stylistically rewarding animated homage even better.