Tim Burton obviously has a lot of love for the old “monster” movies, because there are a ton of nods to them in FRANKENWEENIE. In case you didn’t know, this is Burton’s remake of a short film he did 28 years ago. It’s the story of a young Victor Frankenstein and his dog Sparky. Victor is a normal, yet reclusive kid who loves his dog. Sparky is hit by a car and Victor is inconsolable. His science teacher plants the idea in his head that Sparky can be re-animated. So, Victor tries it and it works. The movie is adorable, touching and laugh out loud funny. Victor’s classmates are mostly young “monsters” and they each get their moment to show who they really are. The movie gets a little preachy about science in schools, but it also wears it’s heart on it’s sleeve. And at 90 minutes, there’s a lot to love about FRANKENWEENIE. — Alan Yudman