Stunning eye candy but missing something more.

Rating: 7/10 (27 September 2005)

Like many of those who have already commented, I am no stranger to Tim Burton's work. I grew up watching Beetljeuice and the spin off cartoon that followed, along with Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Sleepy Hollow and of course, the masterpiece Nightmare Before Christmas.
When I walked into the theater, I already knew not to expect anything like Nightmare Before Christmas and it seems most people have. This is unfair to compare two different films, though they are made in the same manner. And this is where the movie starts to fail, as people come out of the theater and proclaim "It was okay, but it was no Nightmare".
Corpse Bride delivers exactly as it says. However, it was lacking so much character development that once the end arrives, you know the movie is too short. Who are these people? Who is Victor? Why does he like butterflies? Who is Victoria and why does she fall for Victor so easily? What about the Corpse Bride? They give us a measly explanation but there is still so much missing from these main characters that it is criminal. What about the villain? Great villains need background and development too. The plot seemed a bit rushed which was tragic and probably led to the lack of characterization. And as for the people who complain about wanting more about the Underworld...what more do you want to see? It's full of dead people. There isn't much more you can explore there.
Despite its flaws, Corpse Bride is a cherished Tim Burton movie. He brings all the essentials in this package, delighting the fans of his work with familiar faces like Depp and Elfman, along with the key theme to most of his movies; the Outsider. Don't see this film because you want to see a great story -it is a predictable one. Instead, go and see it because of its beautiful animation and its homage to those who enjoy the taste of the morbid.