Used to Love Burton and Depp....Now......

Rating: 3/10 (29 May 2012)

This collaboration has worked very well in the past (see Sleepy Hollow) but there is little to like in their latest movie; Dark Shadows. I never watched the original TV series but I was forewarned that the movie bore little or no resemblance. No matter, if not for the loud, sound effect laden soundtrack this film would make an excellent, non-narcotic cure for insomnia. Others have noted and let me echo their complaints that this movie was neither comedy or drama. Although it tried to be both it achieved neither. Fine performances notwithstanding there was no reason to make this movie and no reason to see it. A few technical things that bothered me; If Depp is a vampire, how is it he walks about in daylight protected only by heavy clothing, sunglasses and an umbrella? And if Depp is from Liverpool why does he speak in a generic, London type accent? That's like believing that folks from Boston and Memphis sound alike because they're from the same country. Depp's penchant for chameleon makeup and foreign accents is wearing very thin. What happened to the guy in Donnie Brasco or Gilbert Grape? You know, an American guy!