It takes my breath away...

Rating: 10/10 (19 November 2006)

Unlike most movies I've seen, the first time I went to go see this in theaters, I loved it. Probably the thing I loved most about it, though, was the breathtaking stop-motion animation. I hadn't seen many films in stop-motion before, so this was definitely a treat for me.
The sound in the theaters was not very clear, so I couldn't hear some of the things that the characters were saying/singing. It helped a lot better when I bought the DVD the day it came out. I really enjoy the songs by Danny Elfman, especially "Remains of the Day" preformed in the movie by Bonejangles and his "bone boys" in the colorful club down in the Land of the Dead, which is also the home of many enjoyable characters such as Bonejangles, Miss Plum and the rest of the kitchen staff, and who could forget, the Corpse Bride, beautifully voiced by Helena Bonham Carter. In my opinion, she was perfect for the part, and no one could do it better. Johnny Depp's performance as Victor Van Dort, was definitely my favorite. Victor is such an incredible adorable, innocent character that you'll learn to love.
Corpse Bride is the story of Victor, son of Nell and William Van Dort, fish merchants in a colorless Victorian town. Victor is pledged to be married to Victoria Everglot, who's parents are Maudiline and Finis. While at the wedding rehearsal, Victor just cannot get his vows right, and goes into the forrest to practice. It just so happens, that when he finally get's his vows right, he places the ring on a twig, which is actually the finger of Emily, the Corpse Bride, who was obviously murdered by her lover (Bonejangles tells this story in the song I mentioned, "Remains of the Day"), who eventually almost married Victoria, and was going to murder HER for her parent's money (which they didn't have any to begin with, he later finds out), until towards the end, when he drinks the "Wine of Ages", a type of "poison" that Victor was to drink when he was about to marry Emily (he finds out Victoria was pledged to be married to Barkis, while still traped in the Land of the Dead).
The story, characters, animation, and music are the things that make the movie so great.
Two thumbs up for Tim Burton! I give this movie a 10/10!