The most enchanting film of 2005!

Rating: 9/10 (14 November 2005)

No matter how pretty "Finding Nemo" looked, regardless how original the modeling clay of "Chicken Run" was or no matter how overwhelming "Final Fantasy" felt...the absolute best animation films come from the mind of cinema-genius Tim Burton. His new masterwork "Corpse Bride", as well as his older classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas", uses the delicate stop-motion technique, by which handicraft puppets are carefully moved by the millimeter. This modus operandi is quite time-consuming and fragile, but the result looks utterly beautiful and "Corpse Bride" is a lot more elegant and enchanting than the most advanced computer animation movie! Aside from being visually impressive, Tim Burton's newest film is also extremely funny, well-scripted and very swinging! The story is set in typical Burton-world with grim forests, morbid characters and  of course  politically incorrect jokes about death and decomposition. Whilst rehearsing his wedding vows in the nearby forest, the timid Victor van Dort accidentally resurrects (and weds!!) the corpse bride who has been waiting on that same spot since she was brutally murdered on her own wedding night. Despite the fact that he feels sorry for her and wishes to help, Victor urgently needs to get back to the living before his arranged bride is given to another man. The subject matter all seems very depressing and tragic but  knowing Burton's style  it's an often cheerful and energetic film. Instead of portraying the world of the deceased as a sad place, it's a colorful party palace where skeletons and rotting corpses drink and sing all night long. Heck, their world is a lot more fun than the world of the living and you almost feel sorry for the living because their existence is so black & white. The voices for all the terrific characters are splendidly cast. Tim Burton regulars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter do great and our director honors horror veterans Christopher Lee and Michael Gough with outstanding guest appearances. Danny Elfman's music is flawless as always and the marvelous end-sequence is the most touching moment in animation cinema ever. My only regret was that this movie is way too short  only 75 minutes  and I wished it went on forever.