10/10
Rankin/Bass's Halloween (Trick-or-) Treat
7 May 2002
Another super puppet-animated feature from Rankin/Bass. This full-length motion picture released to theaters, is one of only two films by R/B with a Halloween theme - the other being "Mad Mad Mad Monsters" (similar story to this but done in cel animation).

When Dr. Baron Von Frankenstein decides to retire from his long career as the head of the monster society, he invites all of his ghoulish creations - Frankenstein's Monster, Mummy, Count Dracula, Invisible Man, Werewolf and many others - for one final bash before handing down his position to his successor which each of the monsters assume will be themselves. When the true successor is revealed as the Baron's long-lost nephew, a nerdy boy named Felix Flankin, all hell breaks loose and poor Felix is in big trouble!!

The characters are really top-notch thanks to a winning combination of exquisitely designed stop-motion puppets and and excellent voices provided by some big-name stars. Boris Karloff adds his eerie sound as the Baron, Phyllis Diller is an ingenious choice as the Monster's Mate, and Gale Garnett takes the cake as the most vivacious character, Francesca, a curvy, buxom, husky-voiced sexy red-head with a mind just as sinister as the ghastliest of the monsters.

Featuring a fantastic jazzy, spy-groovy soundtrack and creepy set designs, this campy film stirs up a genuine retro Gothic Halloween vibe. The jokes that adults will find humorous will fly right over children's heads, which will be too mesmerized by all the cool monsters to notice much else.
28 out of 31 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed