Welcome Back, Burton

Rating: 7/10 (12 May 2012)

I really liked this movie, and I am seriously confused about why everyone else seems to hate it. Yeah, okay, it's nowhere near perfect: Having the daughter be a werewolf? Pointless. Having Bonham Carter give Depp a blowjob? Stupid. Having Elfman on music once again, and yet using mostly 70's music for the soundtrack anyway? Confusing. The sequel baiting at the end with Bonham Carter being alive? Annoying.
BUT, with that said, the acting is really good, the story, while definitely leaning on cliché's wall, didn't take EVERYTHING it could of and actually came through in some areas, the effects were quite impressive, and the humour, while probably not to everyone's tastes, got a few chuckles out of me. While the music isn't all Elfman's, it's still a good soundtrack that works with the movie, and Elfman's own still has the punch it always does. And hey, Alice friggin' Cooper, how could you go wrong?
Given how far Burton could sink in terms of remakes (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Planet Of The Apes, Alice In Wonderland), I saw this as being at least able to stand on its own. No, I haven't seen the original show or movies.
Burton is one of my favourite directors, and after having been less than impressed with his last few movies, this is seems like a return to form, however gradual. I recommend any fan of his check this movie out, and to everyone else... Just let us have our fun.