[6.50/10] Dark Shadows (2012)

Dark Shadows (2012)

Brief review: Based on the gothic horror soap opera of the same name, "Dark Shadows" is yet other Burton / Depp collaboration that has its moments of genuine fun, wit and amusement, but it's also full of intentional silliness that never quite works right. Due to its unbalanced script, the film fails to blend comedy, horror, and romance properly, and as a result, "Dark Shadows" is amusing but far from hilarious, interesting but hardly intriguing, and somewhat creepy yet never scary. The visuals of the film are nothing short of fantastic - the location is perfectly-chosen and grim, yet pretty, and that combined with Delbonnel's beautifully murky cinematography creates a splendidly gothic atmosphere, plus, the glorious old mansion, where most of the action takes place in, has so many amazing features, it will take your breath away. However, despite the stunning visuals and Tim Burton's unsurprisingly polished direction, the movie still lacks that extra special something that would have made it more memorable. The entire cast delivers. The main focus is on Johnny Depp and he gives yet another outstandingly amusing performance as the 200-year-old well-mannered vampire, trying to break his curse. Eva Green is devilishly sexy as the manipulative witch, Michelle Pfeiffer does a solid job as the charismatic Elizabeth, but Helena Bonham Carter and Chloë Grace Moretz are those who truly stand out from the rest.

Overall summary: It's a bit silly, and its director struggles to find the right balance between horror, comedy and family affair, but Burton's "Dark Shadows" makes up for these shortcomings with a top-notch cast, stunningly atmospheric visuals and some gorgeous settings.

The visually-stunning "Dark shadows" is yet another collaboration by Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. If you like watching great movies from this duo, then why not join lovefilm.com. Get a one month free trial and check out the entire Burton/Depp collection online.