Depp and Burton strike again!

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2012)

It's strange to think that over twenty years ago, Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton first teamed up for Edward Scissorhands, the weird little fable that has grown to become a cult classic. As the years went on, they went on to make better films, such as Dark Shadows, the weird duo's latest collaboration. It isn't their best work, but it is better than about half of them.
Based on the cheesy 60's soap opera, Barnabas Collins(Depp, of course), a man from the 1700's who was cursed by Angelique(Eva Green), a jealous witch who lusted after him,to be a vampire, and is then buried for over a hundred years. Barnabas wakes up in 1972 and finds his descendants(which include Michelle Pfeifer, Chloe Moretz, and Jonny Lee Miller, to name a few) not living up to his family name.
Barnabas stays with them, and hopes to restore the Collins pride by re-opening his fishing business. But there is a problem: Angelique is still alive, looks great, and is his fishing business rival. And still has a thing for Barnabas, who simply just does not want her. She's hot, but she's bad.
Dark Shadows is fun. I love the mood of the film, and just how bizarre it is. Depp is perfect in this role. Nobody could really do it better. Depp has this sort of goofy charismatic charm that works in just about every film he's in. As a vampire on unfamiliar territory, you can't take your eyes off of him.
There isn't a whole lot story wise, but that really didn't bother me that much. I was enchanted by the many comedic moments and the quirky characters and the groovy 70's soundtrack, which mainly consists of The Carpenters. Dark Shadows is everything a Tim Burton film should be: Darkly funny, mysterious, and engaging. I wouldn't say it's Burton's best work, but it falls somewhere in the middle. See it, I had a lot of fun. Critics don't really like it. But hey, at least it's not Mars Attacks.
B+ Other works by Tim Burton: Batman:B Batman Returns:B+ Edward Scissorhands:B+ Beatlejuice:A Ed Wood:A Mars Attacks:C- Sleepy Hollow:A+ Big Fish:A- Charlie and the chocolate Factory:B Corpse Bride:B+ Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street:A+ Alice in Wonderland:B