Dark Shadows

Starring;

Johnny Depp
Michelle Pfeiffer
Helena Bonham Carter
Eva Green
Jonny Lee Miller
Chloe Grace Mortez
Bella Heathcote

Director;

Tim Burton

In three words; Gothic - Fun - Eccentric

Plot;

Barnabas Collins (Depp) is turned into a vampire after rejecting the advances of a witch who buries him alive only for him to be unearthed two centuries later. Confused by the modern world that now surrounds him Barnabas is determined to rebuild his family legacy and to find love once more.

Review;

Dark Shadows is based on a sixties gothic horror soap opera. This sentence does not sell this film to me and I was very reluctant to paying to see this film. However, upon viewing the trailer I felt I had to give it a chance and I am pleased that I went to see it.

Depp plays Barnabas Collins, a wealthy playboy of the 18^th century who is turned into a vampire by witch Angelique Bouchard (Green) after he rejects her advances. He then witnesses the death of his beloved Josette DuPres (Heathcote) and is buried alive to spend the next 200 years locked away in a coffin.

1972 arrives along with land development which disturbs Barnabas’ incarceration, and this is where the fun begins. Barnabas returns to his former home where his descendants continue to live. However, due to the failing family fishing business the once grand manor has fallen into disrepair. Barnabas is welcomed back into the family by Elizabeth (Pfeiffer) who attempts to keep secret his blood thirty ways. Pfeiffer is clearly at home in this part and is one of the strongest supporting cast members. 

It is here we are introduced to the rest of the family and staff and whilst each character brings different qualities to the film there are times where there are too many in each scene and at other times there is not enough dialogue. Roger Collins (Miller) has little to do with the plot and could have been easily omitted from the family. This is not to say Miller has done a poor job, he played his part well but there was little for him to do. Young David Collins (McGrath) is pivotal to the plot and McGrath is excellent addition to the cast and it would seem that he has a bright future. Charolyn, (Mortez) is Elizabeth’s rebellious teenage daughter who wishes nothing more than getting away from her oddball family. Mortez is as wonderful as ever and played her part perfectly however I felt the route of her character was a step in the wrong direction.

Angelique is still in town, posing as a descendent of herself and she has made an impression on the locals and has made herself very wealthy. Green was the perfect choice for this role as the sexy wicked witch and is only too happy to seduce Depp. Their chemistry is well balanced. However, Barnabas’ true love interest is played by Bella Heathcote. It could be criticised that she is lost in a sea of big stars, and she does fall into the background too much. However, this was more to do with her lack of dialogue; her part should have been fleshed out further and given a much more central role which was required.

Bonham Carter plays Dr Julia Hoffman, Elisabeth’s live is psychiatrist who has more interest in drinking than seeing to any patients. Bonham Carter is consistent in her Tim Burton flicks and gives a fine performance however; it has to be time to end this carousel of Burton – Carter - Depp (they sound like a firm of accountants!) collaboration. Depp is spot on with his portrayal of Barnabas, the stranger the character the better Depp is. He is, not surprisingly, the stand out performer in this flick.

Overall I enjoyed the film however it is lost in itself. It’s not a comedy or a drama but has measures of both. There is a lot of fun to be had watching Barnabas trying to adapt to the 1970’s and there is some excellent dialogue which he revels in delivering. Burton’s visual feel is well produced; however the screen ratio seemed a little less cinematic than his normal delivery, perhaps reflecting the subject matters television beginnings. Also at times there was a ‘Death Becomes Her’ feel to the film. Parts of the start of the flick are overshadowed by over the top CGI however; one can forgive the computer geeks at the end with some excellent work in the finale. All in all this is a very enjoyable film which shouldn’t be missed.

Verdict;

3 out of 5.