A well written and thoroughly enjoyable movie from beginning to start.

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2011)

In 1994,Tim Burton, the master of casting, directed the film Ed Wood. Despite critical praise,it didn't fare well at the box office and just barely got a DVD release. When people think of Tim Burton, they're more likely to think of films like Batman or the Nightmare Before Christmas. Personally though, I think Ed Wood is the best film Burton has made so far. Most of Burton's films are great simply because of things like the acting, the camera-work, the sets and the music, but Ed Wood is one of the few Tim Burton movies to have a great plot as well.
Ed Wood tells the mostly true story about the man who wanted to be just like his greatest hero, Orson Welles, but eventually became known as the worst director of all time. The film follows Ed Wood, played by Johnny Depp, as he directs three of his most infamous bad movies: Glen or Glenda, Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 from Outer Space. Apart from Wood fighting his producers and arguing with his girlfriend over his own transvestitism, a very important part of the movie is Wood's relation with the former Dracula actor Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau. Lugosi has lost the shine he once had, and is now an aging drug addict. It is because of Wood, who becomes his friend and asks him to perform in his movies, that Lugosi begins to enjoy life again.
What makes this film especially great in my opinion, is that instead of mocking Wood over the many failures that he created, the film successfully portrays Wood as a kind and likable character. Normally, we'd hate him for making so many bad movies, but this film actually manages to sort of make you feel sorry for him. Of course, Johnny Depp's great performance is also a big step up. It's beautiful to see Wood being hooked by how perfect his own creations are in his own experience.
Great acting, great writing, great music, great cinematography, and above all, a lot of fun. It's everything that makes a movie great. I know this film came out a relatively long time ago, but I personally think it deserves a lot more attention. There are a lot of references to cinematic history that might distract you if you're not familiar with them, but even then, I'm still positive you will like this movie.