Dearly Beloved and Deceased

Rating: 8/10 (9 October 2005)

Greetings again from the darkness. Tim Burton reminds me of a "Seinfeld" episode when Kramer tells Jerry he is going to a fantasy camp and Jerry says "Kramer's whole life is a fantasy camp". Burton has earned his place in Hollywood and is now in a position to create what he wants, when he wants it. Best known for his films such as "Batman", "Beetlejuice", "Edward Scissorhands", "Big Fish" and this year's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Burton never fails to deliver a creative piece of film-making that brings something new to the screen.
"Corpse Bride" is no exception with its stunning artistry and animation accompanied by a solid story line, terrific music and star power voice acting from the likes of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson and Albert Finney. Check out some of the details of the animation - wood rot on the Bride's casket and intricacy in the costumes. The great Danny Elfman shines once again with amazing music and work as Bonejangles. The entire saloon musical fantasy is unlike anything ever seen on film.
All the voice acting is excellent, but special notice goes to Helena Bonham Carter as the Corpse Bride, Jane Horracks as the Black Widow and the legend, Christopher Lee as the Pastor. Probably not for very small kids, but otherwise most kids, teens and adults should enjoy and appreciate this excellent, though short film. One cool bit of nostalgia is that the brand of piano in the mansion is Harryhausen, a Burton tip of the cap to the original master of stop action special effects seen in the old dinosaur and Sinbad movies.