Tim Burton-ie! Depp holds it together...

Rating: Null/10 (20 June 2012)

Dark Shadows is a Tim Burton movie that features Johhny Depp as Barnabas Collins. The movie is a spin off of the 1970s TV soap opera of the same name. In the film, Barnabas is a vampire who was buried alive because he spurned the love of a witch and she cursed him to the life of a vampire and then had him buried alive. A site excavation digs up Barnabas Collins' casket and he is set free nearly 200 years after his burial.
200 years before, Collins was a rich playboy who basically owned the town of Collinsworth. Maine and lived in a huge mansion called Collinwood. Now, the last of his remaining family live in the mansion. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Elizabeth Collins Stoddard who is the mother and runs the remains of the family fishing business. She has a daughter Naomi and a brother Roger and a nephew named David. Pfeiffer does an outstanding job in her role...she is strong, purposeful and vigilant.
There is a love story between Barnabas Collins and Victoria Winters (played by Bella Heathcote). Heathcote is a reincarnation of Barnabas Collins' true love from 200 years ago, Josette DuPres. In Dark Shadows, both Victoria Winters and young David Collins can talk to or see ghosts and that helps them gain advantage in some situations.
The plot surrounds Collins trying to restore his family business and honor while the witch, Angelique Bouchard (played by Eva Green) tries to maintain her power over the town and over Barnabas himself. Without her love requited, Bouchard goes on a string of dirty deeds to undue Collins, while simultaneously trying to get him to love her.
The movie is typical Tim Burton, at times very dark and bizarre and at times humorous and lively. One of Burton's favorites, Helena Bonham Carter plays the drunken Dr. Julia Hoffman who is trying to steal Barnabas' blood so that she can have immortality.
The chemistry between Depp and the rest of the cast is strong and he pretty much carries the plot line. It is hard to envision the film being as good with anyone else in the role of Collins. Johnny Depp plays it well and his facial expressions alone add depth and hilarity to the film.
I give this film a Bruno Wang 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is good entertainment for the roughly 2 hours of cinema. Don't expect a chuckle- fest, this is Tim Burton. The movie is just as twisted as it is funny. Go out and enjoy!