A Modern Horror Classic

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2010)

In recent memory, there have been films and books borrowing heavily from older, classic, and revered horror novels. Many fail in their attempt. This movie is one of the few that borrow from these older tales, and end up creating something just a good and unique in its own right. This movie can't exactly be called dark, as it contains very bright colors and a cheery atmosphere. This movie is beyond that, the perfect neighborhood where the story takes place is so cloyingly 60's it becomes ironic. A bland palette of cut and paste houses and perfect yards adds to the atmosphere of the overall film. This is one of several aesthetic choices like the sharp contrast between this neighborhood and the massive castle ominously situated above it,makes this movie a piece of visual art to go with this story. The story is similar to classics like Dracula or Frankenstein in some way, but develops a distinct stamp of its own throughout the film. The mob of villagers is replaced with nosy gossipy women and the evil vampire is gone, with simply a tortured, unfortunate, and innocent soul in its place. There is humor in this film, but the farther you go in the less it happens. This darkness builds up until the climax, which explodes in a burst of irony and utter desperation. Only one spark grows in the midst of this bleakness. The villagers er, neighbors at first embrace Edward but lies and ignorance cause them to immediately label him a monster. The spark I mentioned is the one who began by fearing and almost despising him, I'm of course talking about the closest to a love interest this movie has. If you haven't watched yet I can't perfectly explain this relationship, I can only stress its importance to this film. The film cuts off well, leaving no hope for a sequel, as is proper, and leaving you with an odd feeling of sadness, joy, and utter.. well I can't properly describe this last emotion. No matter how hard I try I can't properly describe this movie, to understand you must see it. It contains a magic of its own distinct from any other movie. The last bit of review I have left is one acting. The stand out performance is definitely Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands, he barely talks throughout the movie but the body language perfectly shapes and emotes the character of Edward Scissorhands. This is his finest role in a slew of many. The rest of the acting is well done as well, with some hilarious bits from the nosy neighborhood women. This movie is the perfect modern horror classic, which only makes sense if you've watched the film. If you've never seen the movie before I utterly recommend it, if you've seen it before watch it again. You may see something more in the film. If you dislike the movie I respect your opinion, but utterly disagree.