Amazing movie about something so mediocre.

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2004)

One of Tim Burton's best movies, if not the best.
The movie can almost be considered a documentary, since it is showing aspects of the life of director/producer/actor/writer Edward Wood Jr in a believable and authentic way. Maybe a better term would be "reenactment".
Ed Wood is famous, or rather infamous, for directing some of the worst movies in history.
Johnny Depp plays Ed Wood. I would venture to say to perfection, however, I did not know or have ever met Ed Wood. All I can say is if I imagined meeting Ed Wood he would have Johnny's characterizations. I can say the same thing about Martin Landau, who plays an old, morphine addicted Bela Lugosi. They are both amazing and have an obvious screen chemistry that is intoxicating. You just want to keep watching Bela and Ed interacting.
The movie is filmed in black and white. I think this is important to portraying Ed Wood since his most famous(in) movies are in black and white. For those that have never seen an Ed Wood movie, Tim Burton's homage/reenactment story gives the viewer an insight into the man. For those of us that have experienced Ed Wood, it is quite enjoyable to see scenes recreated shot for shot with different actors, yet maintaining the same campiness.
The movie, for the most part, is a humorous look at Ed Wood. There is more however. There are instances where one genuinely feels for Ed Wood, where you share his pain and anguish. There are moments when we are captivated by the sheer positivity and will of Ed Wood. In the end, this movie is enjoyable as a comedy and as a positive look at one of the most criticized and least successful directors. I highly recommend this movie.