"Tim Burton's Corpse Bride" brings a whole new look to death through song and animation.
The movie, which opened second behind "Flightplan" this weekend, brings the dark romance that is always evident in Tim Burton's work to the screen.
The film is the second for Burton this year (he did "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" back in July). Burton has also had experience with this type of film after his creation "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
As usual, Burton has brought back Johnny Depp to do the voice of Victor Von Dort and Helena Bonham Carter for the voice of the Corpse Bride. Both were featured in Burton's recent release, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Emily Watson is new to the work of Tim Burton but is qualified for the role of Victoria Everglot after her work in "Equilibrium."
Burton has also brought back Danny Elfman to produce the music of the film. Elfman sticks to his usual musical taste with haunting melodies and amusing songs throughout the film.
I usually enjoy Burton's work, and "Corpse Bride" is no exception. The animation is amazing, and the storyline is one of a kind.
Victor Von Dort is arranged to marry Victoria Everglot. The marriage is arranged by both sets of parents for financial reasons, but after seeing meeting one another, the couple decides that things aren't so bad.
During the wedding rehearsal, Victor finds that saying the vows is harder than he thought. Here the film makes Victor out to be a weak daydreamer, but with parents like his, who could blame him.
While walking through the forest practicing his vows, Victor mistakenly slips the ring on what he thought was a twig but really was the skeleton finger of the Corpse Bride.
Emerging from the ground, the Corpse Bride believes that Victor proposed to her and gladly accepts his offer. Victor then has to figure out a way to get out of the marriage with the Corpse Bride and marry Victoria, who he believes is his true love.
I give "Corpse Bride" four out of five pitchforks for a fun, animated look at a morbid subject.
Reach the reporter at brian.kirshman@asu.edu.
