Friday, May 11, 2012

The Descendants: Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows” is Retro, Campy Entertainment


Any big fan who is obsessed with Tim Burton is going to love the heck out of the fun retro vibe he imbues in his new take on “Dark Shadows.” Based on the cult soap opera that aired in the late 60s and early 70s the story concerns the relatives of one Barnabas Collins. He's British man who settled with his family as a boy in New England in the 1700s and established a well-run fishing company. He was cursed by a witch and became a vampire and was buried “alive” for centuries. And now he’s been released in the 1970s. he meets up with his descendants, who think he’s a strange (which he is since he’s played by Johnny Depp) relative who’s just come over from England on a boat. Think “Hocus Pocus” meets “The Addams Family.” The film is part fish-out-of-water tale, part gothic horror, and part melodrama. I have no idea whether it bares any resemblance to the original series (I’m going to assume it doesn’t really) but fans of Burton’s trademark gothic and quirky style are sure to eat this up.

            During the coolly retro-feeling opening title sequence, a young woman named Victoria (Bella Heathcote) travels on a train to Collinswood, where she intends to respond to a newspaper ad for a governess. There she meets the strange Collins family. There is matriarch Elizabeth (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her sarcastic teenage daughter Carolyn (Chloë Grace Moretz). Then there’s Elizabeth’s brother Roger (Johnny Lee Miller) and his young son David (Gulliver McGrath). Elizabeth has hired a live-in psychiatrist named Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter) to look after David’s supposed mental health – he supposedly sees ghosts. Willie Loomis is the manor’s strange caretaker, played by Jackie Earle Haley. There’s also an old cleaning lady who’s “as useful as a bucket with a hold in the bottom.” There are a lot of characters, and if there’s any criticism I have, it’s that we don’t quite get enough time to know them all very well. In fact, Roger and his son’s storylines are practically non-existent and could have been excised altogether.

            The real story here is between Barnabas’s adjustment to living in the 1970s as a vampire and his rivalry with the witch who cursed him Angelique Bouchard – played by the scene-stealing Eva Green. Angelique and Barnabas had a fling back in the 18th century, but he feel in love with Josette. In a jealous rage, Angelique murdered Barnabas’ parents, made Josette kill herself, and turned Barnabas into a vampire. Angelique now works as the head of a rival fishing company who has practically pushed the Collins’ family business into the ground. Angelique, learning of Barnabas’ escape from his eternal grave, plots to get revenge and win him back.

The story (with a screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith) feels appropriately melodramatic at parts, which makes sense since this is based on a daily soap opera. There are even - what I assume are - fun little hints at the TV series fans are sure to pick up on. Some might find the tone slightly off, but I found it the film mixed comedy and drama rather successfully. Most of the humor comes from Barnabas’ attempts to fit into this modern society. And some well-placed product placements serve some rather large laughs. Depp and Green play extremely well off each other, but Green really steals it as the plotting and overly campy Angelique – which culminates in an exciting and wonderfully over-the-top ending sequence. Though the detractors will find the film just collapses under its own weight  - like most of Burton's films.

“Dark Shadows” has everything a Tim Burton fan could want. It’s weird and creepy and funny. It features top notch set design and costumes and makeup. Another good, but subtle Danny Elfman score helps the proceedings. I’m not sure how diehard “Dark Shadows” fans will feel about it, but it’s certainly a really fun and enjoyable experience for newbies like me.  GRADE: A-

6 comments:

The Author said...

Yay, can't wait to go see it at the drive-in, also showing The Avengers, yippee!

Anonymous said...

I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This post posted at
this site is genuinely nice.

Unknown said...

cheng0925
cheap oakley sunglasses, http://www.cheapoakleysunglassess.us.com/
basketball shoes, http://www.basketballshoes.us.com/
tiffany and co jewelry, http://www.tiffanyandco.in.net/
christian louboutin uk, http://www.christianlouboutinoutlet.org.uk/
soccer jerseys, http://www.soccerjerseys.us.com/
tory burch outlet, http://www.toryburch.in.net/
true religion outlet, http://www.truereligionoutletstore.us.com/
adidas wings, http://www.adidaswings.net/
nba jerseys, http://www.nbajerseys.us.com/
the north face outlet store, http://www.thenorthfaceoutletstores.org/
ugg boots, http://www.uggbootscheap.eu.com/
roshe run, http://www.rosherunshoessale.com/
rolex watches, http://www.rolexwatches.in.net/
vans shoes, http://www.vans-shoes.cc/
ed hardy clothing, http://www.edhardy.us.com/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us.com/
air jordan 4, http://www.airjordan4.org/
air jordan shoes, http://www.airjordanshoes.us.org/
michael kors factory outlet, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutlets.in.net/
the north face jackets, http://www.thenorthfacejacket.us.com/
coach outlet canada, http://www.coachoutletcanada.com.co/
coach outlet store, http://www.coach-outlet-store.us.com/
ugg outlet, http://www.uggoutletstore.eu.com/
nike air max uk, http://www.nikeairmaxshoes.org.uk/
kobe shoes, http://www.kobeshoes.us/
ugg uk, http://www.cheapuggboots.me.uk/
coach handbags, http://www.coachhandbagsoutletonline.us.com/
ray ban, http://www.occhiali-rayban.it/

mmjiaxin said...

mbt shoes outlet
north face outlet
cheap ugg boots
parajumpers outlet
fitflop sale
coach handbags outlet
cheap jordans
louis vuitton bags
air jordan 4
cyber monday deals
rolex watches,rolex,watches for men,watches for women,omega watches,replica watches,rolex watches for sale,rolex replica,rolex watch,cartier watches,rolex submariner,fake rolex,rolex replica watches,replica rolex
michael kors factory store
cheap football shirts
true religion outlet
ugg outlet uk
christian louboutin outlet
thomas sabo outlet
cleveland cavaliers
barbour jackets
prada outlet online
mm1202

chenlili said...

mulberry handbags
rolex watches
north face
north face outlet
ugg boots
mlb jerseys
ugg outlet
maillot de foot
burberry outlet
mac cosmetics
201810.9chenjinyan

Unknown said...

moncler jackets
christian louboutin
ugg outlet
basket nike
nike air max
carrera sunglasses
coach purse
nike shoes
alife clothing
converse
2018.11.21chenlixiang