There Goes Another Classic...

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2012)

Being a fan of the original TV series, it was exciting to hear the very talented Johnny Depp and visionary director, Tim Burton, a man known for his ability to create new worlds on the screen ("Edward Scissorhands", "Nightmare Before Christmas"), it was only expected the Gothic source material would be just a perfect match. A look at the prospective cast members, coupled with the craze for vampire / magic in films, and this was going to be an explosive mix.
Instead, the fizzle is not there, in a gorgeous film with beautiful art direction and costumes, very talented performers such as Eva Green, in a terrific turn as Angelique and Michelle Pfieffer as the Collins matriarch. Unfortunately, Depp is a bit too weird this time, overacting, and well, Bonham-Carter has proved herself so many times before, but this time, there needs to be more than just uncanny resemblance to the original actress in the series. "Dark Shadows" just doesn't work beyond its great look.
There is a hint of a outline here, based on some of the source material, but the script is poorly written, and the actors can't really deliver if they don't have much to work with. Somehow, there are mentions of dark magic, curses, broken hearts (literally), vampires, love, hatred, ambition, and check... werewolves, but it never goes beyond these all being items on a checklist.
It is sad because we want it to work, and it could have worked had better hands been utilized such as a more appropriate director and a script doctor. We have recent examples of material that has been revived and adapted with amazing results: "Star Trek", "The Avengers", "Planet of The Apes", etc. Hopefully, someone will take a stab at this again and do it justice for "Dark Shadows" has remained alive in the hearts of many because it is terrific material. It's dark, involving, alluring, bewitching, and magic, but that goes with "Once upon a time there was a terrific TV series where both juicy drama could work with a dash of camp, even when the sets were never as good...
If you want to kill a couple of hours, go and see it, enjoy the visuals but leave your heart outside for Angelique said it well, when she talks about her broken heart...