From the Archives: Corpse Bride
March 24th 2010 23:11
Originally featured in the paper I used to write for.
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Burton/Johnson, 2005)
Written September 23, 2005
(three and a half out of four stars)
It is easy to tell a Tim Burton film from the opening credits. This is not merely because he uses the musical talents of faithful composer Danny Elfman, but more about the feeling that is conjured up as a Burton film begins, like you are about to be whisked away to a magical place of adventure, escapism, and beauty. Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride is no different. In his second stop-motion animated feature, Burton tells the tale of Victor, a young timid man (voiced by Johnny Depp) in the 19th Century whose parents have arranged a marriage for financial purposes. Victoria (voiced by Emily Watson) is just as shy as Victor is, with overbearing parents and sheltered life thus far.
The two are hesitant about their engagement, but after a brief encounter in Victoria’s house, they realize they do indeed like one another. However, Victor cannot quell his nervousness. After he stumbles over his vows repeatedly at their wedding rehearsal, the priest (hilariously voiced by the wonderful Christopher Lee) throws him out when it becomes too much to bear, telling him not to return until he is prepared. This is where our adventure begins.
As Victor walks aimlessly through a forest with large trees and wide spaces, we cannot help the comparison to Jack Skellington in Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, who wandered through a similar forest. However, instead of finding a door to a magical new town, Victor’s discovery comes in the shape of Emily (Helena Bonham Carter). Victor is then whisked away to the underworld only to learn he has married a corpse by mistake.
Like Nightmare, Burton provides us with colorful characters, whimsical songs and lush imagery. He creates a world that children will no doubt enjoy, but adults with be captivated by as well. The humor in the script (penned by Big Fish’s John August) is dry and clever, and the pain of Emily, the doomed bride, is palpable and gorgeous.
This past summer featured Burton’s wondrous retelling of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Depp cast in the lead role. It was Depp’s third collaboration with Burton before Corpse Bride, the previous being Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood. It’s fascinating to look at the range of roles Depp has played under Burton’s thumb: an introverted recluse, a zany filmmaker, a quirky, disturbed candyman, and now, in stop-animation form, a sweet but incompetent young man looking for love. It’s a pleasure watching Depp’s Victor, knowing it is just one more notch in his already stellar resume as an actor.
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, like The Nightmare Before Christmas, is likely to become a cult classic. Stores such as Hot Topic have been selling merchandise even prior to the film’s release. It is a touching, funny tale for the whole family, and like the butterflies that feature so prominently in the film, it is delicately beautiful.
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Burton/Johnson, 2005)
Written September 23, 2005
(three and a half out of four stars)
It is easy to tell a Tim Burton film from the opening credits. This is not merely because he uses the musical talents of faithful composer Danny Elfman, but more about the feeling that is conjured up as a Burton film begins, like you are about to be whisked away to a magical place of adventure, escapism, and beauty. Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride is no different. In his second stop-motion animated feature, Burton tells the tale of Victor, a young timid man (voiced by Johnny Depp) in the 19th Century whose parents have arranged a marriage for financial purposes. Victoria (voiced by Emily Watson) is just as shy as Victor is, with overbearing parents and sheltered life thus far.
The two are hesitant about their engagement, but after a brief encounter in Victoria’s house, they realize they do indeed like one another. However, Victor cannot quell his nervousness. After he stumbles over his vows repeatedly at their wedding rehearsal, the priest (hilariously voiced by the wonderful Christopher Lee) throws him out when it becomes too much to bear, telling him not to return until he is prepared. This is where our adventure begins.
As Victor walks aimlessly through a forest with large trees and wide spaces, we cannot help the comparison to Jack Skellington in Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, who wandered through a similar forest. However, instead of finding a door to a magical new town, Victor’s discovery comes in the shape of Emily (Helena Bonham Carter). Victor is then whisked away to the underworld only to learn he has married a corpse by mistake.
Like Nightmare, Burton provides us with colorful characters, whimsical songs and lush imagery. He creates a world that children will no doubt enjoy, but adults with be captivated by as well. The humor in the script (penned by Big Fish’s John August) is dry and clever, and the pain of Emily, the doomed bride, is palpable and gorgeous.
This past summer featured Burton’s wondrous retelling of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Depp cast in the lead role. It was Depp’s third collaboration with Burton before Corpse Bride, the previous being Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood. It’s fascinating to look at the range of roles Depp has played under Burton’s thumb: an introverted recluse, a zany filmmaker, a quirky, disturbed candyman, and now, in stop-animation form, a sweet but incompetent young man looking for love. It’s a pleasure watching Depp’s Victor, knowing it is just one more notch in his already stellar resume as an actor.
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, like The Nightmare Before Christmas, is likely to become a cult classic. Stores such as Hot Topic have been selling merchandise even prior to the film’s release. It is a touching, funny tale for the whole family, and like the butterflies that feature so prominently in the film, it is delicately beautiful.
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