The Strange World of Tim Burton

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2006)

I'll start this off by saying I am not a die-hard Tim Burton fan. I don't love "Big Fish", I hate "Batman Returns", and I can't say I have ever watched "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" all the way through. That said I want it known that I am devoted to "Batman", I can't help but love "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Corpse Bride", and "Sleepy Hollow" is one of my guiltiest pleasures. Even though Tim Burton doesn't always deeply impress me I do know that he is easily one of the most interesting contemporary filmmakers. And I can say without reservation that "Edward Scissorhands" is one of the most touching and enchanting films I've ever seen. After reading a very negative review of this beautiful film, from legendary critic Roger Ebert, I decided that it was necessary to comment on the only true masterpiece to be issued entirely by Tim Burton's imagination.
Lets start with the premise of the movie. A young man with scissors for hands is taken in by a suburban family and falls in love. Can any idea be any further away from Hollywood formula? The very fact that this film was made is a testimony to Burton's power in Hollywood in the early 90s (post-Batman he could do anything I guess).
Ebert's remarks seem to center on how Burton has great ideas but he simply lacks the ability to tell a story well. Nothing could be further from the truth. The plot, aside from the scissors for hands part, is rather clichÃ©d. We've all seen this plot a dozen times. "Troubled youth is adopted by a kind family and tries to fit into a new community." Hell, if you removed Edward from the script and slapped in a stock troubled teen you would instantly have a so-so teen angst picture. Get Rob Reiner to direct it and we have a ready-made sequel to "Stand by Me". Really the only reason Edward Scissorhands is remarkable is because, before "Planet of the Apes" mind you, Tim Burton was probably the most original director making big-budget films in America. His unique visual style and artistry made this film great, just like they did Ed Wood and "Beetlejuice". Even "Batman" (a film I will always love) is nowhere near the caliber of this film. And what especially attracts me to this film is that Burton here, more than any other film he's made, is very obviously pointing out how formulaic and conformist all other studio films have become (notice this in his depiction of suburbia and compare). He's also just plane making fun of the suburban lifestyle, and as a kid from the suburbs I have to laugh, because he's absolutely accurate in his vision.
It's rare to find a movie with a remarkably distinct visual style, a wonderful narrative, and actual social commentary to boot. Somehow Burton managed to have it all in the most unlikely of stories. This film proves that movies which defy standards and accounting practices are the only ones which can be adored, and I will always remember it as Tim Burton's biggest success. Also it ended Vincent Prices' contribution to films while simultaneously launching Johnny Depp's career. In retrospect it really should have won an Oscar for something.