Corpse Bride (2005)
October 6th, 2005 at 9:21 am (2 - Just OK)
It bugged me at first that the trailers for the new Tim Burton animated film Corpse Bride (2005) used music from his previous creation The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), but after seeing the movie I realize the construction of the trailer is very appropriate as Corpse Bride is little more than a poor sequel to Nightmare. Or rather it is what would happen some Hollywood exec were to decide they could make a few bucks by marrying Nightmare and the much earlier Vincent (1982) to produce a bastard child with the look of both but none of the originality or charm of either.
The story of Corpse Bride is utterly predictable. Young Vincent… err I mean Victor has grown up (some) since his ‘82 debut and is bethrowed to the very Victorian daughter of a very proper family. Both Vincent’s fishmonger parents and the delightfully designed parents of young Victoria (Helena Bonning-him Carter) break out into a song on the upcoming wedding at the beginning of the movie. Not that either the music or the lyrics are memorable, an unfortunate problem that will prevail through the rest of the film. Soon after Vincent… god I mean Victor sings a depressed song and accidentally marries a corpse instead. You can imagine the rest, and in doing so will probably do a better job than the writers.
Interesting set and character designed are overshadowed by a pathetic Peter Lorre impersonation, cheap puns and moments of unnecessary slapstick. The Danny Elfman score sounds like an uninspiring regurgitation of previous work that is quickly forgotten. On the plus side there is a moment were Vince… I mean Victor plays a beautiful melody on a ‘ Harryhausen‘ piano and is accurately animated to hit the correct keys. I would generally recommend a title like this only to Burton fans, but in this case must insist that even the fans steer clear in order to retain an idealistic image based on the more deserving previous works.
Chaisey said,
March 28, 2006 at 6:07 pm
I love Tim Burtons creativity and imagination but this movie could have been better if it had more plot to it and if Danny Elfmans songs could of had more of his flair in it it would have been a smashhit to all of his fans including me but it was a little more dull than I expected it to be…other than that I love Tim Burton and Danny Elfman and hope they make a brilliant creation like their “A Nightmare Before Christmas” that will leave fans screaming for more.
Fan forever
Chaisey
Lisi said,
September 12, 2006 at 2:23 am
It was hilarious!!!The music and the animations were great,Tim Barton is a genius…I’d like to see it again!
tanisha said,
March 5, 2007 at 11:25 am
i love this film coz its like the nightmare before christmas
TheCriticCritic said,
March 30, 2007 at 4:22 am
You have many good points regarding this film, but you seem a bit fast to criticize: yet, it could have been better; yes, it gives the impression of being a sequel that couldn’t by chance rival with nightmare before Christmas…but had it been completely different, you probably would have said that Tim Burton wasn’t being faithful to his own style.
Nowadays everyone feels with the right to criticize, just because of the fact we’ve all engulfed so many movies that we consider ourselves experts, but have you considered how challenging it is make a movie, make it work, and do a good job?
This movie isn’t an all-time classic, in won’t make history, but keep in mind that good directors and screenwriters generally manage just a few outstanding and breathtaking productions throughout their careers, and the rest, although they may be good, will always be in the shadow of the greatest creations. The problem is when self-promoting people who would like to consider themselves enlightened and superior decide to criticize all of their work for not being at the same level as their greatest masterpieces.
Corpse bride is a good movie, with a great sense of dark but subtle humour and several memorable moments & gags. My suggestion is: make a movie yourself, write the screenplay, re-read it, get second opinions, change it, revise it, manage the production, hire the crew, direct everything in your desired course, supervise everything that takes place, coordinate everyone, make sure all goes smoothly, according to planned, etc., etc., etc…and then just wait for the critics. They’ll eat you up. No movie can please everyone, just like no two people are alike. Just try it and see.
A CRITIC IS A LEGLESS MAN WHO TEACHES RUNNING.
-The critic critic-
Sarah said,
April 27, 2007 at 5:05 am
this movie is one of my favorite movies right up there with NMBC and Edward Scissorhands, it has the natural odditity of Tim Burton. I’d have to say he did it again with The Corpse Bride
EARNG said,
May 9, 2007 at 8:35 am
I LOVE DANNY ELFMAN.
morgan said,
July 15, 2007 at 7:31 am
I LOVE JOHNNY DEPPP,SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.
Jess said,
August 21, 2007 at 6:43 pm
oh wow, this movie is amazing, but then again Tim Burton is just amazing himself…he is the most brilliant and intelligent director of all time…he’s SOO original and Johnny Depp is always the perfect actor for any character in a Tim Burton film…and Johnny Depp is just the most amazing actor EVER!!!