Dark Shadows was anything but Dark

      Today I saw Tim Burtons: Dark Shadows, and honestly I enjoyed it. It kept my attention and I was amused. It’s not my favorite Tim Burton film nor is it the one I like least. I went into the movie went negative expectations because a lot of people were upset about it being a dark comedy rather then it being a full on soap opera. The Film stars Johnny Depp, honestly I am a bit biased when it comes to him because he is one of my favorite actors. Depp plays Barnabas Collins who is turned into a vampire and is entombed for almost 200 years. He wakes up and it is now 1972. He finds his beloved family empire in ruins and the family's fortunes in the seaside fishing town of Collinsport, Maine, founded by Barnabas' father, have dwindled.

  The witch Angelique who turned him into a vampire and  killed his beloved Josette, is doing quite well as the main business owner of the Angelfish Company. Who so happens to be the Collins in direct competition. Eva Green plays her. Green does a good job at playing a believable villain. The Film also stars Michelle Pfeiffer  who plays Elizabeth Collins Stoddard/ the head of the family. Pfieiffer is still beautiful and she brings soo much snobbness and dry humor to her character. There is Carolyn who is Elizabeth Collin’s 15-year-old daughter, played by Chloe Mortez…she was also in Kick Ass. I found her very refreshing and hilarious to watch. she really acted like a 15-year-old girl from the 1970’s with her dancing and her chilled/ whatever attitude. Jonny Lee Miller portrays Carolyn’s brother Roger. He is believable in his role as the deadbeat failure of a father, but there is lack of stage presence.  He has a troubled young son, David (Gully McGrath) who lost his mother at sea. So now he thinks he sees her. And of course there is Helena Bonham Carter who portrays the family's live-in shrink. Dr. Julia Hoffman. She hasn't helped the Collinses much, but she's quite skilled at self-medicating. Then there is the  newly hired governess Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote) who bears an uncanny resemblance to Josette. The family is full of odd misfits. Depp does an awesome job again. He loses himself in his character and you forget that he is wearing distracting makeup and costume. His whole purpose is to help the family and put things right. This of course is difficult because of the witch Angelique. Who causes problems for the Depp’s Character because she is madly in love with him. She poses a threat on the family if Depp doesn’t choose her.

   I truly enjoyed it I was not bored at all the ending was very predictable of course, and a bit over the top but not bad...and then there is a twist at the end..Dark Shadows 2 maybe?? The story was well written and of course the cinematography was stunning and whimsical. I loved all the gags at 70’s pop culture. There is soo much humor in this its fun for the whole family. Burton’s films always look fantastic and you feel as if you are in another time and place. I like the score not my favorite of Danny Elfman but good still. If you are a fan of Burton go see if not wait for in on DVD.