Starts out great and loses its way in the middle

Rating: 6/10 (6 August 2016)

Even John Depp can't save this one. I am assuming that you are somewhat familiar with the other previous versions. Most of the beginning is straight "historic" story-telling and it is riveting. The chain-wrapped coffin of Barnabas Collins is found in a construction site. After 200 years of imprisonment, Barnabas drains 11 victims in no time. He proceeds to Collinswood Mansion after first walking through town, seeing the club scene in 1974. He tells only a select few that he is the real thing, vampire and all. To the others he is their distant English cousin. All the familiar characters are there including Willie Loomis, who doesn't have as much to do in this version but he becomes Barnabas' servant as always. Angelique the Witch never died, and she runs the "Angel Bay" fisheries which is the more successful cannery as the Collins family is the poor second cannery and has lost it's former glory. Dr. Hoffman is along to to try and alter Barnabas (and her own) bloodwork. As always, Victoria and Josette are played by the same young girl. "Vicky" is the reincarnation of Barnabas' lost love. The first half is not too bad, but then the story gets choppy, sloppy, and uneven. Angelique and Barnabas have a steamy love scene, Alice Cooper guests at a "Happening" party which falls flat. Then all "Hell" breaks loose. The witch entombs him and little David saves him. There is a huge Witch Vs. Vampire fight-to-the-death, and eventually both the cannery and the great house burn-to-the-ground. There of course is a lot more going before this, involving werewolves, ghosts, and Barnabas arrested for the murder of Dr. Hoffman. She betrayed him so he killed her and drank her blood. Way too "campy" in the 2nd half and choppy editing, although some of that could be for "running time". The soundtrack is horrible and includes "Carpenters" Songs. Finally, they get it right at the end as Vicky takes a swan dive off the watery breakers at the cliff. She dies and the spirit of Josette is restored to life. Barnabas falls with her and is restored to human form! A very financially successful film in spite of itself!