MOVIE REVIEW - Dark Shadows

Once again, movie maker Tim Burton has teamed up with Johnny Depp and made yet another vampire movie, Dark Shadows.

For those who may not know the premise and characters from Dark Shadows, they come from a TV show of the same name in the late 1960's into the early 70's. The TV show was a sexy soap opera of sorts with the vampire character Barnabas Collins, sort of a cult hero. It had a following and at times was controversial. It's the stuff of pop-culture in trivia game lore. Should be noted, the movie Dark Shadows 2012 bares little to no real resemblance to the TV show.

Depp stars as Collins. He was made a vampire 200 years ago by a witch whose love he rejected. After spelling him a vampire, she banished him to be locked into a coffin and buried. Since vampires never die, the goal was to make him suffer for all eternity. Then in 1972, his coffin is discovered by constriction workers, and Collins is unleashed. He reconnects with the Collins family descendants, and is determined to return the family to greatness. But then, the witch from 200 years ago also returns, and she still is trying to lure his affections. What happens now?

That is Dark Shadows in a nutshell. Depp is great as Collins bringing a real nice mix of humor, tongue-in cheek, and heavy satire. Depp is really an interesting actor. He chooses wisely, and it seems every role he takes on, he is born to play. And that's a gift. The supporting cast here is really strong and includes, Michelle Pfieffer, Jackie Earle Haley, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Eva Green who is fantastic as Angelique, the Evil Witch.

Dark Shadows is a comedy of sorts, a drama too, and a bit horror flick. But it's clear that this was written far more for laughs and smiles than bolts and jolts. Some of this is quite funny. There also is a terrific early 1970's pop music soundtrack mixed in which also makes it fun. That was a great decision. Have not seen movie in while where a music track has been such an asset to a movie. Dark Shadows though does wear out it's welcome and could have been edited down by about 15 minutes and been more effective. The climactic scene too is a bit silly, and way too long, and that is really the weak point of this flick. But a lot of what gets you there is fun.

Dark Shadows. It's not your mothers TV Dark Shadows. But it's basically a fun escape and it's always fun to see what strange, unstable character Depp is going to play next.