Tim Burton shouldn't be an A-Lister anymore.....

Rating: 5/10 (14 May 2012)

Johnny Depp's only mistake was making so many Pirates of the Caribbean films for - in each film he has done since - a little Captain Jack Sparrow appears. 'Dark Shadows' is no exception. For the most part Depp's portrayal as a vampire is brilliantly dark and it's nice to see a vampire film where the vampire hangs upside down, tears people apart, drinks copious amounts of blood and, more importantly, doesn't sparkle in the sunlight. The only problem with Depp's portrayal comes when the comedy comes into it - he then slips into a crossbreed character of a nasty vampire and a drunken Captain Jack. Not the worst of things, though, and he is still the best part of this film.
With regards to the film itself.... oh dear. It started off with a cracking intro giving us the backstory of the family's curse (nothing you haven't seen in the trailer) and it even had traces of Tim Burton's (recently lacking) brilliance too. Sadly, it even got my hopes up.
As the film went on - it went from plot-point to plot-point with little effort, the rest of the characters were hardly explored and seemed more one dimensional compared to Depp's own character - clearly given priority by the writer. Occasionally some nice humour was thrown into the mix (the advert hints at it being a comedy, it's not.... there are some dark, comic moments though) but my heart sank further (along with my respect of Tim Burton for allowing it) when they had a party in the mansion. I agree with the other review stating it was like a set-piece direct from Austin Powers. Worse was to come when the special appearance of Alice Cooper came in, for he was the parties rock group..... Really.... was the entirely necessary? Throwing someone in, such as Alice Cooper, just made the whole experience feel that little more cheesy and cheap.
Was the film entertaining? It was so-so. Just a further reminder that Tim Burton has either lost his touch or doesn't care now - instead relying on the pull of Depp. For let's be honest, at this stage, would a Burton film make as much money nowadays if it didn't have Depp in it? I fear he's losing his crowd.... I fear more that Burton could end up taking Depp down with him.
As for Helena Bonham Carter - again, she wasn't needed. If anything, her small role was probably just a token gesture to her, from her husband. She acted as though her heart weren't in it.... probably felt some jealousy towards Eva Green who played the evil witch (quite well but, again, her character wasn't really explored so - like other characters - it was hard to really care one way or the other about her).
So - a typical Burton film.... giving roles to his friends (Danny Elfman on music duties again) and his wife (quieter life at home and more cash for the couple, I guess)... to think - this man used to be a genius (Scissorhands, Beetlejuice)....