more laughs than horror

Rating: 8/10 (26 February 2000)

I have to admit, I am not actually a big fan of Tim Burton. but..... this movie is far better than I expected.
First of all, it is as stylishly throughout and with some nice, grotesque teasers ( Icabud Crane's "surgery" implements seem to have come right from the 'Edward Scissorhands' set ) and very consequent camerawork, both with regard to lighting, viewing angles, cuts and a deliberately limited palette of colours used, as one has come to expect of Burton, whatever else his directing shortcomings ( if any) may be. Visually it is an all too rare treat of shadows and pale, misty light, giving it a chilly and menacing atmosphere. This is almost worth the ticket on its own.
The story itself though is far more comedy ( and some suspense) than horror - there is little gore ( some bouncing heads, some beheaded corpses and some blood spurting from off-camera are the upper limits - slasher-movie types need not apply....), very little shock ( The - btw excellent - soundtrack usually gives ample advance warning ) and nothing ultimately disgusting. There are some slightly unsettling and eerie flashbacks, giving a little depth to CraneÄs obsession with science over 'mere' belief. As to the nature of the horror though, there is little question, and only the motive for its appearance, while eluded too quite early in the film, stays unknown for any amount of time. Any horrific transformation of the characters ? De nada, senor !
So folks, lets face it, it's NOT a horror movie ( unless ones DOES regard 'X-files' as horror.... ), merely ghostly suspense, with, perhaps its single fault, an overdose of relieving humour. There is quite a lot of comically grotesque scenes which will make the viewer laugh - typical for Burton's films, but not really (?) appropriate in a spooky and dark ghost story.

Its a clichee-rich story, too - spooky witches, cursed woods, innocent pale girls, frigid stepmothers, Jack O'Lanterns and cornfields, as well as black stagecoaches all have their turns. Actually, that is the most disappointing part of the film, as there are very little innovative details in the telling and 'painting' the darkness of the tale.
The cast is a superior one, Depp and Ricci giving able, if not really inspired performances, Christopher Walken having a few short, but very impressive scenes and several well known faces turning up in supportive roles - even Christopher Lee 'dropping-in' in a cameo, so no quibbles on that count.
Actually I liked the film very much - just do not expect it to be a 'horror' film - suspense with some mystical overtones and a good, hearty laugh at some blackish humour is much more appropriate as a description. 8 out of 10 should give you an idea as to its quality.......