Great film! Truly worth the watch

Rating: 9/10 (30 October 2016)

In such a dull time full of "new" movies that simply repeat the same plot-line in vaguely different ways, "The Corpse Bride" stands out, and in a very good way! Not only is the plot something that I, personally, have never seen in another movie, the filmography is astounding, and Johnny Depp (Victor) is amazing as always.
Only Tim Burton could come up with something so original, so abstract, and so entertaining! Each character in the film is given a certain level of depth that is extremely important to the audience's understanding of the complexity of the "situation" Victor faces and sympathizing with almost every character. Not only was I left with mixed feelings about who Victor should be with (Emily or Victoria), I was left with a deep feeling of empathy for Emily, whom I originally thought was the "villain" in the film!
Furthermore, the filmography in this is classic Tim Burton. Expressionism clearly had a large impact on how Burton chose to direct this movie. The sets, as well as the characters, are abstract, angled, and unnatural. The characters have large, dark circles around their eyes and are pale and skinny. The colors of the Land of the Living are gray and monochromatic, while the underworld is lively, multi- chromatic, and bright; this is contrary to what one might expect (the underworld being dark and dreary and the living world bright and colorful). However, Burton uses these lighting and coloring techniques to convey the message that the living world is constrained by unloving parents, money, greed, death anxiety, and sophistication, while the underworld is care-free and the place to be!
In this way, Burton decreases the audience's death anxiety by showing that maybe life is not that great after all! Death is a party, and life is dull, so "sign me up for a swig of poison!"
"The Corpse Bride" is a must-see for anyone who likes a story with some depth and for those who enjoy animated films or Halloween films in general (so everyone). Tim Burton lived up to his reputation on this one, so trust me in saying that it will not disappoint!