Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein (1999)

This was before "Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman". Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein (1999) does give plenty of the Frankenstein Monster, skin green with the neckbolts, slight forehead "lightning" gash and grunting speak. Victor Frankenstein returns to his castle (set up within a theme park) to bring his monster, nicknamed Frankie, back to life after an absence due to a mob that prevented him from continuing his work years before (the opening is a flashback in B&W). Meanwhile, the chipmunks have a Halloween themed performance show in the park, eventually encountering both Victor and Frankie. Eventually Frankie and Theodore bond, as Theodore is kind to the monster and that kindness is returned. So we see Frankie eventually turn on Victor, with Theodore convincing Simon and Alvin that the monster is alright. Of course, those attending the theme park will need to realize that Frankie isn't to be feared because of how he looks. Victor tries to turn Alvin into a zombie, though. His concocted brew and bolts from his experimental machine equipment eventually transform Alvin into a speeding, wacky mayhem-on-spinning-feet. Wreaking havoc across the theme park, Alvin interrupts the premiere of a movie star's entrance to promote his newest action movie. I think this will probably entertain mostly kids but seeing a lot more of Frankie, modeled after the Glenn Strange version of Frankenstein's Monster, is much more satisfying than the brief werewolf in "Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman" (2000). Dave in the 1999 film is much more akin to the cartoon of the 80s, shouting ALVIIIIINNNNN a lot more than he does in "...Meet the Wolfman". Still, Frankie is all over the film, which is an asset, and those behind the animated film make sure that, even if family oriented and sanitized, enough of what Universal Horror fans are used to (and look for) remains. A lot of theme park satire included and a squirrel costume mascot gets plenty of on screen time. 2.5/5