Enchanting, Magical, and the Very Essence of Burtonesque

Rating: 8/10 (16 April 2006)

Tim Burton has done it again with Corpse Bride. He has created something imaginative, innovative, unique, and full of heart. Much has been written about the plot, which I find to be very streamlined and cohesive for an animation project such as this. Burton's characters are much more dimensional than those you find in most other animation films. Victor Van Glot must marry Victoria(yes, I love the Victor/Victoria thing)so his parents can become part of the old rich and her parents can remain in that club as they are broke. Victor has some issues; however, which make him run into the woods and accidentally propose to a branch that happens to have a corpse bride underneath that accepts his hand in marriage. What follows is a dark, beautiful trip to another world where the dead live after they have lived out their "fleshy" existences. Lots of eccentric characters abound with Burton having fun with the idea of how some died. We have a gentleman that splits in two, a "head" waiter which is nothing more than a head, a little Bonaparte-looking soldier, a cast of skeletons that sing and dance no less, and the corpse bride herself - a character that is so beautiful despite her outward appearance. Burton gives these characters more heart and life than any of the "living" characters. In fact I find it very interesting that the living are presented in cold, austere surroundings devoid of any real emotion while the dead are happy and content with what fate has befallen them, The animation process is amazing as figures are used rather than cells. Kudos to directors Burton and Mike Johnson for bringing both worlds alive. At the very heart of this film is a love story between a frightened young boy and an unhappy girl who have both come into contact with a soul full of longing and desire for something she was cheated out of in life. Johnny Depp does Victor's voice superbly and Emily Watson is Victoria. Helena Bonham Carter does an extremely good job "breathing" life into the vanquished bride. As with many of Burton's films, a host of older stars of generations past are given jobs. Christopher Lee, Joanna Lumley, Albert Finney, and Michael Gough all have prominent roles - all doing very good jobs. The music of Danny Elfman is right on the mark in this one creating another fantasy world as well through sound. Buron uses lots of humour in dialog and makes the viewer think about much of it. I thought the maggot with the Peter Lorre accent was so funny and many of his jokes were darkly humorous. The film runs a little over an hour but doesn't cheat the story in any way. Fantastical subjects, dark yet inviting, compassionate visions, lyrical music all help make this film fan the very essence of what a Burton fantasy is all about. If you know what that entails, than you will undoubtedly find the Corpse Bride very Burtonesque!