Confused Mess

Rating: 4/10 (12 October 2012)

It wouldn't be hard to argue that Tim Burton has lost some of his magic in the last few years. Granted his bank account has grown considerable in this period especially since Alice in Wonderland. It seemed that financial wealth had paved the way to creative bankruptcy. Films like Charlie and the Chocolate factory and Planet of the Apes had shown that the Director was less willing to take a chance instead trying to adapt his "quirkiness"" to already established properties. Trailers for Dark Shadows provided hope of the director's return to form showing hints of both Beatle juice and Edward scissor hands. Sadly after watching the finished project Tim Burton fans may have to wait a bit longer for this return to form.
Opening in 1760, Johnny Depp plays Barnabas, a well to playboy and local man about town. When he breaks the heart of the beautiful Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green) little does he realize that she is a witch and that his decision will cost the life of his true love Josette(Bella Heathcote) as well has cursing him to spend all eternity has a vampire. When the townspeople get wind of this curse they quickly bury him alive. Barnabas remains buried for two hundred years only to be resurrected in the year 1972. He decides to return to his beloved Collinwood Manor where he is taken in by the remaining members of his family. Little does he realize that Angelique is also immortal and she is none too pleased when she discovers her old "flame" is back on the scene.
From the above synopsis you can probably guess that Dark Shadows is a strange little picture. Tim Burton must be commended in a way for being able to use his clout to bring a picture like this to screen. Based on a short running soap from the late 60's Dark Shadows is a mix of comedy, horror, drama and satire. Where the film falls down is in its attempt to juggle all of these different tones together. First time writer Seth Grahame-Smith screenplay seems unable to sit down and decide what kind of film it wants to be. It seems to stumble from scene to scene shifting from violence to comedy. Upon awaking after 200 years Barnabas violently kills five people only to quickly follow it with a joke about the Mac Donald's. It's all a bit surreal and has the film continues you try to figure out who this film could possibly have been made for. It's too violent for children but to childish for adults. Dialogue scenes have the feel of a soap or melodrama but all this does is add a jarring sense to what is unfolding on screen. It is hard to believe that there is only two credited screen writers has it feels like the work of several different people.
The members of the Collins family themselves are each poorly crafted. Each character is introduced only to be dropped shortly after. Johnny lee Miller and Chloe Moretz are reduced to walk on parts for most of the running time. Michelle Pfeiffer fares a little better but isn't given much to do for all the screen time she gets. The less side about Bella Heathcote the better. Her performance is fine but after she is introduced you get the feeling that most of her performance ended up on the cutting room floor. She is supposedly the love of Barnabas's life but she spends very little screen time with him. This only takes away any emotion from the climax because despite what is said throughout these two characters feel like complete strangers. All that leaves is the two stars of the show, Johnny Depp is his usual watchable self and he does well to keep his character likable given all the unlikable things he is asked to do. Eva Green is over the top and incredible psychotic has the lethal witch who refuses to accept the Barnabus will ever love her.
The film is not without its positives. The look is fantastic and the attention to detail for the 70's setting is inspired. The texture of the decade is captured perfectly and it acts as a perfect counterpoint to Barnabus 18th century lifestyle. The soundtrack is outstanding with songs from T-Rex, the Moody Blues, Elton John and Alice Copper who makes a brief cameo in the picture. There is some humor to be had thought out and it's nice that the fish out of water scenario isn't used solely has a punch line unlike another big summer release Men in Black 3.
Technically the film is top notch, it looks great it sounds great but most viewers won't feel too great after watching it. A botched and strange misfire from Tim Burton that is almost fascinating in how much of a mess it is. It is guaranteed to be unlike any other big summer release you have seen in a long time, it's just a shame that the end product never quite becomes what it could have been. By the time the 3rd act showdown kicks into gear viewers will be left cold by what's unfolding in front of them. What you a left with is a handsome looking imaginative misfire that will quickly be forgotten by all but the hard core Burton fans.