"Dark Shadows" (2012) film review

Hey Depp/Burton fans!

I'm saying hey to you guys because it's the most likely of reasons as to why you're up for watching this. Another reason might be the hilarious looking trailer. Read on for my humble opinion of this interesting looking film!

Here's the background before we get to the review. If you wanna get to the point and skip the chatter, jump to the end for a summary in one line!

About

Director: Tim Burton
Main Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Bella Heathcote

Genre(s): Comedy, Fantasy
UK Release Date: 11 May, 2012
Running Time: 113 minutes

Brief Plot

An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free after 200 years and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection from a broken-hearted witch who originally got him imprisoned as revenge for him not loving her.

[Click for the Trailer] - YouTube video

Review

Tim Burton, a great in the halls of fantastically artistic directors, who has made films I so much have loved, such as Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and more, has come back. And this time he brings back frequent acting choice of his films, Johnny Depp (8 films in total, now), appreciated by many (including myself) for his quality talents lent to many a film that I don't think I need to name.

Johnny Depp

But I will anyway: Donnie Brasco, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Public Enemies ...and of course the immortally brilliant characterisation of Jack Sparrow - (CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow, that is) - in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Coupled with great co-stars such as Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns, The Fabulous Baker Boys), Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter films, The King's Speech), Eva Green (Casino Royale (2006), The Golden Compass), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen, Little Children) and some not so well known ones like Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Bella Heathcote.

So surely the film with such impressive parts must make for an enjoyable film, so... how much did I enjoy it? Unfair question, let's start with foundation of questions... how do I feel having seen it? Mislead. That is how I feel, having seen this film. Why? The trailer. That's why. It struck as a comedy-filled romp, and with the direction of Burton as well as the leading acting chops of Depp, I could see no wrong. The trailer towered my expectation, to high standards. The film started slow, and I forgave it for belief that the character development was crucial (which for a good film it always is.)

Tim Burton directing life-
partner Helena Bonham Carter

So I waited. And waited. And finally I felt the first laugh, as a vampire 200 years out of his time takes on the modern world, and Depp does it well. However, these most interesting and entertaining moments which gave the better laughs were few and far apart, though generally appreciated. It helped that co-stars were entertaining, and surprising amidst the variety of actors I found the (unknown to me) Bella Heathcote character the most amusing. Interestingly, I found all the characters delivered in their respective roles, with a Depp, Bonham Carter, Green and Heathcote standing out, but to my surprise, a film that's just under two hours had a story moulded in a way that didn't get me remotely invested in anything by way of how the characters were doing, so when the ending happened - I didn't care what happened to who. It's bizarre to me, considering I did enjoy the actor's character portrayals, and was very much surprised by Green's take (Harish's Note: she looked mostly incredibly throughout) and her dynamics with Barnabus which worked well.

Eva Green

When I got home and did some research, I learned that the film was based on a 60s TV soap, so maybe the source is somehow weak for a film to be green-lit and include a good director and cast. Or perhaps I just expected too much? I did enjoy the visualisation of the film, it was presented wonderfully by Burton (whom I expect no less, judging by his past standards) and with his ever-present collaborator in the score, Danny Elfman (who has composed all but 5 of Burton's films) did a great job giving the right sound to such a film.

Overall Rating

Despite great directing and acting, and a potentially grand overall package, I found myself watching characters I didn't get into, and seeing as how this film is geared and promoted as a comedy fantasy film, I felt it heavily folded in the comedy section.

6/10

Watch if You Liked...

• The Addams Family (1991)

Disagree with what I said? Got your opinions? Share below!

-Harish, out