Retrospective Reviews- Dark Shadows (2012)

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2012)

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton return in a triumphant revival and show us why the Hell we see their movies! After the immensely frightening, mediocre and humourless film that was 'ALICE IN WONDERLAND' in 2010, Tim Burton goes back to his Gothic roots in this film about a 17th century Vampire that is locked away and awakens in 1972, hoping to reconnect with his almost extinct family.
First of all, to make things clear, I am NOT a fan of the original television series that this film is based upon, I only found out about it once this film was in the early development stages, but I AM a fan of Tim Burton (who is my favourite director) and Johnny Depp (who also happens to be one of my favourite actors), and I love it every time they join to do a movie, because every time they make a film, it is always different from their previous film, for example, 'EDWARD SCISSORHANDS' in 1990 was a suttle, small scale beautiful fairytale, and then we get 'SLEEPY HOLLOW' in 1999 which was a loud, anarchic, horror story, with a large scale, and so on. This film was extremely different to 'ALICE', it was darker, wittier and most of all a better production.
To start off, Johnny Depp as 'THE MAD HATTER', he wasn't bad in the role, but it wasn't his best role either. His character was quirky and fun to look at, but was just a tad too scary for younger viewers, who were the original target audience, then we see him in the more adult film 'DARK SHADOWS' as Barnabas Collins, he is less scary but does a lot more frightening things, his character is played off as an untouchable playboy who doesn't know that he is out of place and doesn't really understand that he makes the characters around him feel strange and uneasy, but the character is so rude, and so oblivious to the fact that he talks down to other people that we actually like him and enjoy his character. Forgot to mention the fact that his character is so funny and Depp's performance in this film is probably one of his best since, maybe Ichabod Crane. This is all because of Burton's direction and the type of film it is. The other actors did a good job in their roles, but were not seen enough for character development due to the many scenes of Barnabas trying to adapt to his new home and his run- ins with the film villain, Angelique played by Eva Green. But even SHE wasn't seen as much as Depp. But, I'd like to focus on Burton. His trademark style shines it's brightest in this film, as he clearly shows why he is more of a visual artist than a storyteller, the strange shapes and dark, quirky but childlike atmosphere is ALL here, but sometimes lacks the real Gothic nature of Burton's previous efforts.
The story isn't the best, but is easy to follow. To wrap up, this film IS a comedy, a very funny one, but is also a dark, strange Gothic horror film, and the comedy is actually quite hidden. So, 'DARK SHADOWS' fans and Burton/Depp fans should be pleased by this film, it is dark, funny and overall classic Tim Burton. So, ignore the poor reviews.
DARK SHADOWS
Directed by: TIM BURTON
Based on the TV series created by: DAN CURTIS
Starring: JOHNNY DEPP, MICHELLE PFEIFFER, HELENA BONHAM CARTER, EVA GREEN, JACKIE EARLE HALEY, JONNY LEE MILLER, CHLOE GRACE MORETZ, BELLA HEATHCOTE and ALICE COOPER