Frankenweenie 3D

Halloween sometimes calls for horror movies that are more fun than scary. “Frankenweenie” joins “Coraline” and “Monster House” as horror-light worth watching at any age.

Pop-goth icon Tim Burton has re-animated his 1984 short film as a surprisingly sharp black-and-white stop-motion 3-D feature.

Young outcast Victor Frankenstein’s only friend is his beloved dog Sparky. After his father coerced him to join the baseball team, Victor’s moment of glory is cut short when Sparky chases the ball into the street.

Not ready to let go of his best friend, Victor puts his scientific genius to the test and brings Sparky back to life in a faithful recreation of the classic “Frankenstein” scene.

It’s hard not to feel for Victor and Sparky’s friendship, which makes up the heart of the story, but the offbeat supporting characters are the real blood and guts.

Victor’s classmates range from problematic ethnic caricatures to excellently macabre goth kids, all of whom are ridiculously dedicated to winning the science fair.

One creepy schoolgirl steals a few scenes with her unblinking eyes and ominous cat, and a mock-Igor earns some good-natured laughs with his genuine weirdness.

Martin Landau’s deliciously over-the-top turn as Mr. Rzykruski dazzles in the classroom scenes and as a role model for Victor.

The art direction is inspired, and Burton’s retro-gloomy style is updated for a contemporary setting. The character designs are reminiscent of “Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Corpse Bride,” and the expressive animation keeps the visuals compelling.

The 3-D is tasteful and unobtrusive but maybe unnecessary given the gorgeously shot black-and-white. The undead creatures are freaky for a PG movie, and the atmosphere feels haunting when it’s supposed to.

Though the conventional plot does little to inspire, the monstrous third act is entertaining enough, and the movie has fun with itself.

Most importantly, as a film marketed to children, “Frankenweenie” doesn’t condescend or simplify. The movie’s only overt moralizing is a lesson not heard enough in kids movies: Adults aren’t always right.

By Patrick Beane