not as bad as expected, but that isn't saying much...

Rating: 5/10 (27 October 2012)

...because after watching the trailer i thought this film was going to be dire. positives would be the fantastic make up, sets, lighting and an engaging performance from johnny depp. plus i think michelle pfeiffer is very beautiful so it was a pleasure to just look at her. but pfeiffer is part of the problem. her character, like virtually all of the others, is woefully underused. this is particularly problematic with the character of victoria who is meant to be the love of barnabas' life. but he does not spend any time with her and instead has sex with two other women. as a result, victoria and barnabas' relationship is not convincing at all.
the flow of the film is often disrupted by scenes that are jarring and don't belong together. the mingling of the Gothic and modern seldom works here.
some plot developments seemed tacked on and pointless as well, such as carolyn being a werewolf.
worse of all though was the ending. dear me. the entire town witnesses that barnabas and angelique are supernatural creatures. the sheriff, also confronted with this horror simply says "nothing to see here" and everyone just walks away? that isn't wry, or clever. that is just lazy and unconvincing, as is the set up for a sequel.
a shame really. fine actors, great potential, but poorly executed.