Pop Culture Goth

Rating: 7/10 (5 December 2012)

Fans of the original TV series are mixed on this modern telling of the story. This is a review of the film on its own with a nod, not a true remake, of the cult show that has a fervent following.
There is, as in most Tim Burton films, a mix of wonderful images and creative characterizations along with some incoherent inconsistencies of plot. The look of the film is pop culture Goth and is appealing with appalling sort of violent visuals that releases some bloody bits along with dark humor.
Johnny Depp's eloquent performance carries the film from its frustrating narrative and the displaced character's confrontation with modern culture delivers the most fun. Most of the other players seem to be there for support rather than substance and the film does suffer a bit from this shallow scenario.
In the end it is a movie that is part premiere Burton and part filler with some inclusions that are flat and less than farcical. The Alice Cooper bits for one, and lack of substantive script support from the family and friends that really don't have much to do in the Collins mansion. Taken as a whole it is less satisfying, but some of the artistic renderings and ghoulish gimmicks are worth the trip back to a time when a midday soap could capture the imagination of a generation with a completely original counter (culture) program.