In 1993 Tim Burton turned the animation world on its head when he produced the much loved and wonderously fantastic A Nightmare Before Christmas. He followed that with James and the Giant Peach in 1996. Now, 12 years after Nightmare, he returns once more with another stop motion animated fantasy tale of true love and misadventure starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emily Watson.
Victor Van Dort [Depp], an itchy and neurotic little fellow who is being set up to marry Victoria Everglott [Watson], a lovely young woman from a family in dire times. Both families hope that the marriage will bring success and prosperity to each family in the social life of their town. It isn't about love as much as it is the size of the dowery. Unable to complete the ceremony during the rehersal and utterly ridiculed by the villiage priest Victor runs off into the woods, deeper and deeper into woods. When he at last gets the order of ceremony correct he is standing over the grave of the Corpse Bride [Bonham-Carter] and she willingly accepts his mistaken vow of marriage.
The Corpse Bride is enjoyable family fare. Some of the scenes may be frightening for younger viewers so parents don't take your child to the film under the assumption that since it is animated it is okay for your child. After all, the movie does deal with elements of the undead.
The difficulty in reviewing a film like this though is that I don't want to get caught comparing it to its predecessor from those years back. To do so would be an injustice to Corpse Bride because when compared to Nightmare it pales.
The production and design screams Burton, even down to the signature Burton curl in the feather on his ink pen. In an surprising contrast the most colorful and lively scenes come from the scenes in the underworld, perhaps suggesting that Victor's real life world was dead and depressing as it seemed life was in the town. Only upon his visit to this other world and time spent with the Corpse Bride and the rest of the more lively citizens does he realize that he does love Victoria.
Danny Elfman once again lends his musical talents to a Burton production. However I didn't find the musical numbers as catchy. It may have been the sound mix too but they sounded cluttered and messy. But the sound is unmistakably Elfman and it is so suited to a Burton film full of wonder and whimsy.
But overall though it just didn't grab me. Its well done and impressive to watch if only as a matter of obligation considering the amount of work it takes to create such a film. And perhaps we are too spoiled now with digital technology and 3-D CGI films being turned out theatrically and for home entertainment. Or perhaps I am missing the point and I should rejoice that such films are stilled being made - and being made well. But Corpse Bride cannot succed on its technical merits alone. The story itself doesn't entertain nearly as much as I hoped it would. This is middle ground family entertainment. Its well done and slightly entertaining but in the end it doens't fulfill my expectations.