Based on the cult TV supernatural soap opera of the same name that ran on ABC from 1966-71 starring Jonathan Frid as the patriarchal vampire Barnabas Collins (and laying claim to the bloodsucker craze decades before Twilight, True Blood, Underworld, and The Vampire Diaries), director Tim Burton teams up with Johnny Depp on the big screen for the eighth time to provide their version of the show. It's not by definition a modern day update since much of the story is set in 1972, but there perhaps begins some of the film's quirks.
Like every Tim Burton production, the film is in no way short changed in regards to his checklist of signature features (gorgeous gothic art direction, characters bearing scant skin pigment, looming overcast skies, lavish architecture and costume design, and a rousing score by the great Danny Elfman), but it's when the film tries to find its actual identity in tone that it starts to hit some bumps in the road.
Depp stars as Barnabas Collins, a young well-to-do 18th century Brit living in Maine who finds himself cursed with a vampire's immortality and buried "alive" by his scorned lover, housekeeper (and witch), Angelique Bouchard (played by a sultry Eva Green). When Collins is dug up nearly 200 years later in 1972, he is left to find his way in the 'modern world' and make good once again his family name for whom the local town, Collinsport, was named for.
Once back among the living with his descendants who have financial woes yet still keep shop in the ancestral mansion Colinwood Manor, the fish-out-of water dysfunctional family dynamic ensues and Barnabas soon discovers his centuries ago nemesis Angelique is alive, kicking, and has maintained a monopoly on the local commerce since banishing him to an eternal grave.
Dark Shadows is a strange brew of horror, slapstick quirky comedy, and family drama all wrapped up in typical Burton-esque gothic themes. The eyebrow raising marketing set to a groovy '70s soundtrack has the film pegged as an off beat comedy, but Burton sees to it that the film also walks a line of various tones, but then crosses that line over and over throughout its near two hour running time. Additionally, much of the broad humor in the film has been revealed in the numerous trailers, leaving less to honestly laugh at when you actually sit down to see it in theaters.
While the movie is bookended by promising darker material, its the middle of the film that gets chatty with its fair mix of soap opera subplots, straight up horror moments, retro humor, visual gags, and even a campy musical montage. But the overall decision of having an 18th century vampire befuddled over dated relics like lava lamps, Troll toys, and Alice Cooper seem to limit the comedic possibilities that would appeal to a younger demographic had it been set in the present day.
The films boasts an impressive solid ensemble cast, including many players familiar to the Burton-verse. But the script doesn't quite find the time to spotlight any of them for too long until they are forced to find quick resolutions in the big finish third act. Michelle Pfeiffer (re-teaming with Burton after re-defining Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns), Chloë Grace Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, and Eva Green all manage to deliver worthy performances in the time they have to share on screen among a large cast. The always underrated Eva Green really shines here in a standout turn as Depp's love/hate witch nemesis, but her Angie reminded me of a campy version of her stinging mystical Morgan(a) from last year's short lived King Arthur retelling Camelot on Starz.
Whether this was a Burton film or not, Depp's casting as Collins offers a solid choice to walk the mixed tone that is never quite firmly set in the film. His Barnabas is a charmer one minute, a blood sucking killer the next, but always finds maintaining a sense of strong family values at the top of his list of personal priorities. Though the man out of his time routine only goes so far, despite the charm Depp brings to the role. Jonathan Frid, who originated the iconic vampire role on the TV show, has a welcome blink and you'll miss it walk-by cameo. It goes without saying that life long Shadows fan Burton would make certain he had an appearance. Sadly, the actor passed away last month at the age of 87.
Last year's modern day Fright Night remake starring Colin Farrell pulled off a fantastic balance of horror that featured a snarky charismatic vampire, but also possessed a firm sense of confidence in embracing what it was trying to convey in tone on screen. It could be brutal in its horror violence, but its humor reflected that dark side. Shadows seems to suffer from an identity crisis at times, though the cast never flinch regarding the material and make each individual scene work. Though looking at both films overall, comparing Dark Shadows to Fright Night is the old apples and oranges debate.
Dark Shadows is a mixed bag of what you will be treated to on the big screen. As a Tim Burton production, there are all the familiar trappings you expect to see and will enjoy seeing. Those production perks do not disappoint. But overall I found it to be a bit confused regarding the who it is ideally targeting, and exactly the where it is trying to call home. But like any Tim Burton opus, if Dark Shadows comes across as a quirky misfit without a pace to fit in, then perhaps the director truly has succeeded in capturing a core theme common to all his films.
Like every Tim Burton production, the film is in no way short changed in regards to his checklist of signature features (gorgeous gothic art direction, characters bearing scant skin pigment, looming overcast skies, lavish architecture and costume design, and a rousing score by the great Danny Elfman), but it's when the film tries to find its actual identity in tone that it starts to hit some bumps in the road.
Once back among the living with his descendants who have financial woes yet still keep shop in the ancestral mansion Colinwood Manor, the fish-out-of water dysfunctional family dynamic ensues and Barnabas soon discovers his centuries ago nemesis Angelique is alive, kicking, and has maintained a monopoly on the local commerce since banishing him to an eternal grave.
While the movie is bookended by promising darker material, its the middle of the film that gets chatty with its fair mix of soap opera subplots, straight up horror moments, retro humor, visual gags, and even a campy musical montage. But the overall decision of having an 18th century vampire befuddled over dated relics like lava lamps, Troll toys, and Alice Cooper seem to limit the comedic possibilities that would appeal to a younger demographic had it been set in the present day.
The films boasts an impressive solid ensemble cast, including many players familiar to the Burton-verse. But the script doesn't quite find the time to spotlight any of them for too long until they are forced to find quick resolutions in the big finish third act. Michelle Pfeiffer (re-teaming with Burton after re-defining Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns), Chloë Grace Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, and Eva Green all manage to deliver worthy performances in the time they have to share on screen among a large cast. The always underrated Eva Green really shines here in a standout turn as Depp's love/hate witch nemesis, but her Angie reminded me of a campy version of her stinging mystical Morgan(a) from last year's short lived King Arthur retelling Camelot on Starz.
Dark Shadows is a mixed bag of what you will be treated to on the big screen. As a Tim Burton production, there are all the familiar trappings you expect to see and will enjoy seeing. Those production perks do not disappoint. But overall I found it to be a bit confused regarding the who it is ideally targeting, and exactly the where it is trying to call home. But like any Tim Burton opus, if Dark Shadows comes across as a quirky misfit without a pace to fit in, then perhaps the director truly has succeeded in capturing a core theme common to all his films.
Dark Shadows hits both 2D and IMAX screens today.
REVIEW RATING: ★★☆☆☆
Directed By: Tim Burton
Directed By: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloë Grace Moretz
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 112 minutes
Running Time: 112 minutes
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