Limpid energy sustained only by Depp and three beautiful costars

Rating: 7/10 (16 May 2012)

DARK SHADOWS was created for TV by Dan Curtis, which aired from 1966- 1971. The new film is reverentially written by John August and Seth Grahame-Smith. Johnny Depp topbills, with Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter and Chloë Grace Moretz. "An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins (Depp), is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection." (imdb.com). Depp adds another rich character to his cornucopia of inimitable delineations, with much pizzaz and gloss, as a man-about-town in 1752 Collinsport, Maine, who is turned into a vampire and buried alive. Eva Green is (initially) exquisite as the witch, Angeline, who curses him after he spurns her affections, and Pfeiffer and Bonham Carter are topnotch as Depp's circa-1972 descendants, living in Collinwood Manor. Tim Burton's stories and movies have always bordered on the macabre, but DARK SHADOWS, despite the invigorating performances from the cast, is never as horribly menacing as his SWEENEY TODD (2007) or CORPSE BRIDE (2005), although beautifully layered like BIG FISH (2003), CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005) and ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010). Even replicating the poignancy of EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990) or the frenetic pace of MARS ATTACKS! (1996) would have been welcome pluses. Thankfully, Depp is an actor with a Michael Caine/Christopher Lee penchant for an eclectic filmography, and his Barnabas Collins rises from the limpid energy sustained feebly by the film. Christopher Lee, famous for horror films from 1950s-1980s, is wasted in a brief role; a pity, he could have energized what scenes he had. Even Eva Green, my new favorite actress from CASINO ROYALE, appears to channel Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (actress Cassandra Peterson). This film has all the components of a successful horror picture but modern-day audiences may find it hard to relate to the 1970s-set dialogue, much as the flamboyant costumes, wigs and sets (by Rick Heinrichs) add sparkle to Burton's otherwise aimless remake of the popular 1960s TV show. Kudos also to Danny Elfman, who always provides thrilling music for Burton's ouvres. However, DARK SHADOWS is a must for Depp completists and fans of Green, Pfeiffer of Bonham Carter.