Dark Shadows

Overview

It's a dark and stormy night when you go and see Dark Shadows. Or at least it had better be, to bring a touch more atmosphere than the film actually provides.

Tim Burton has once again collaborated with his usual gang of wife (Helena Bonham Carter) and friend (Johnny Depp) to create a weird and creepy world where everyone seems to wear just a little too much makeup.

Based on the '60s television series of the same name, Dark Shadows tells the story of the Collins family, who set up a successful fishing business in America in the late 18th century. Son Barnabas (Depp) gets a little frisky with the maid but his sights are set on the beautiful Josette. Spurned by his love, the maid/witch (Eva Green) curses his family and turns Barnabas into a vampire. After being locked in the ground for 200 years, Barnabas awakes in 1972 to discover the family business going under.

Depp's Barnabas is one of two characters that provide any life to this film. While there are a few laughs, his confusion at the changed world from his youth can only go so far to provide mirth. Much of the story is quite dark, so despite the upbeat trailers which would lead you to assume this a comedy, it's far more Edward Scissorhands than Corpse Bride.

Eva Green's witch is aided by her extreme features but all other characters become mere caricatures as Burton struggles to give them any depth beyond their interactions with the character of Barnabas. The final battle between the family and its curse at the end of the film raises far too many plot questions and is solved far too easily.

This is a disappointing effort from Burton. His last few films have done little to add to his original creations and personally, I think he'd be better sticking to animation. Although in truth, it's getting more and more hard to distinguish between his animations and his live-action creations, what with the trigger-happy costume and makeup artists he uses. Best leave this one to DVD.