Analysis Of Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

DARK SHADOWS

It would not be hard to argue that Tim Burton has lost some of his magic in the last few years. Granted his bank account has grown considerable in this period especially since Alice in Wonderland. It seemed that financial wealth had paved the way to creative bankruptcy. Films like Charlie and the Chocolate factory and Planet of the Apes had shown that the director was less willing to take a chance instead trying to adapt his "quirkiness"" to already established properties. Trailers for Dark Shadows provided hope of the director 's return to form showing hints of both Beatle juice and Edward scissor hands. Sadly after watching the finished project Tim Burton fans may have to wait a bit longer for this return to form.

Opening in

Tim Burton must be commended in a way for being able to use his clout to bring a picture like this to screen. Based on a short running soap from the late 60 's Dark Shadows is a mix of comedy, horror, drama and satire. Where the film falls down is in its attempt to juggle all of these different tones together. First time writer Seth Grahame-Smith screenplay seems unable to sit down and decide what kind of film it wants to be. It seems to stumble from scene to scene shifting from violence to comedy. Upon awaking after 200 years, Barnabas violently kills five people only to quickly follow it with a joke about the Mac Donald 's. It is too violent for children but to childish for adults. Dialogue scenes have the feel of a soap or melodrama but it all feels so jarring. It is hard to believe that there is only two credited screen writers has it feels like the work of several different

Each character is introduced only to be dropped shortly after. Johnny lee Miller and Chloe Moretz are reduced to walk on parts for most of the running time. Michelle Pfeiffer fares a little better but is not given much to do for all the screen time she gets. Poor Bella Heathcote , Her performance is fine but most of her performance must have ended up on the cutting room floor. She is supposedly the love of Barnabas 's life but she spends very little screen time with him. This only takes away any emotion from the climax because despite what is said throughout these two characters feel like complete strangers. All that leaves is the two stars of the show, Johnny Depp is his usual watchable self and he does well to keep his character likable given all the unlikable things he is asked to do. Eva Green is over the top and incredible psychotic has the lethal witch who refuses to accept the Barnabus will ever love