Astonishing

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2006)

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride is, as many reviews have already said, an instant classic. Following in the hauntingly charming tradition of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Corpse Bride" is even more endearing than it's wondrously animated predecessor.
To be quite frank, I had no idea what i was getting into when I saw this movie for the first time. My friends had kept telling me that it had been animated on computers, but I was pleasantly surprised that the most advanced Tim Burton got was fancy little mechanics inside the puppets. And Warner Bros. did a good job of covering up the fact that film is an astounding musical. When the movie opened with "According to Plan," I almost jumped out of my seat with glee. Danny Elfman, being among my favorite composers, has pulled a golden rabbit out of the hat once more, and done what only he can: Create haunting harmonies that give you shivers and warm you at the same time.
The voice acting is also incredible, as is to be expected from Burton. Johnny Depp's sad, yet charming voice completes Victor's sad but charming look. Helena Bohnam Carter perfectly captures Emily's (the corpse bride's) elegance and clumsiness. And Emily Watson perfectly matches Victoria's grace and beauty.
But it is mostly the beautiful story that Burton tells that draws you to this impeccable work of art. When Victor meets Victoria (theatre fans out there: Victor Victoria? eh?) you immediately know you want them to be together. So when Voctor unwittingly marries Emily, you feel his fright and urgency to return home. you want him to go back to Victoria. But as Victor (and you) spends more time with Emily, we all begin to realize that she's actually a great gal. So, when Victor offers to kill himself, it starts not to sound like such a bad idea, especially since Victoria has been seemingly lost to that Barkis creep. But in the end, Emily makes an even bigger sacrifice than Victor would have by giving up her love and her dreams so she can pass them to another. And that is more fulfilling than anything I was hoping for.
Tim Burton also throws in a few curve balls that really catch you off-guard in the best of ways. The only really good example is when the dead walk the town. Instead of terrorizing the townsfolk, the dead are re-united with their loved ones that they have so long missed. It's touching and hilarious at the same time.