Unexpectedly Great.

Rating: 8/10 (30 March 2013)

Strangely enough this movie was great. I cannot speak for its likeness or tribute to the original Dark Shadows series, but as a stand alone film, this works. I went in expecting an original twist on typical comedies these days, and in a sense that is what I got. The plot felt sort of like another version of "Edward Scissorhands" only, 20 years later with more jokes and less drama. Once again, Tim Burton puts Johnny Depp in a ton of white makeup places him in a mansion at the top of a hill and has him fall in love with a beautiful young girl. Only to be turned on by everyone except his family, near the end. And they all lived happily ever after. We think. Even the mixed era setting was very typical of Tim Burton - is it 70's? is it 90's? is it the present?. And though it has been done, it is consistent. It is Tim Burton. And I wouldn't have expected any less from him. Despite the fairly uninteresting storyline, Tim Burton did what Tim Burton does best, he brought together a great cast, great costumes and great visuals to create a fantasy land that is so imaginative it almost feels real. The humor isn't laugh out loud funny, though there are a few lines that get you, as well as some great physical comedy. What really drives this film are the visuals and the soundtrack. Once you get past the fact the plot isn't really going anywhere interesting, it is easy to enjoy. Don't go in expecting too much, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Though it does help if you are already a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp/Helena Bonham Carter fan. When those three get together, either you love it, or you hate it. And I love it.