The level of subtitling in this film is unknown to WSC
Directed by
Unknown
Starring:
Unknown
Review:
Victor Van Dort’s nuptials seem to be jinxed. His betrothed, Victoria is a sweet enough girl whom he falls instantly in love with but he has to contend with the social pretensions of his parents as well as genuinely hostile in-laws. Further complications arise when Victor can’t get his wedding vows right, angering the terrifying Pastor (a brilliant Christopher Lee cameo) who commands the groom to practice his vows before the ceremony the next day. Things can only get better…or not. In the forest Victor manages to get his vows word perfect and slips the ring onto a twig. However the twig is actually the ring finger of the Corpse Bride who immediately takes a shine to her new husband.
And so Tim Burton delivers his second film of 2005, following on from his last animation The Nightmare Before Christmas in tone and style. It also draws heavily on his seriously twisted collection of short stories The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy. But is this a film for Burton fanatics? What seems like a truly twisted tale of border-line necrophilia is actually a tender story of love and sacrifice more universal than a Richard Curtis film. Corpse Bride is an old-fashioned tale, with old-fashioned themes made in an old-fashioned way. Burton has made a film that stays true to his unique style, without “selling-out”. He is helped by gorgeous set designs and the puppets are beautiful; brought to life by an enviably talented cast. Depp and Bonham Carter bring their characters to life (excuse the pun) and Emily Watson also makes what could be a secondary character a rounded, memorable figure. The script is dark yet friendly and witty and the opening music sets the melancholy Victorian tone the rest of the film follows.
Corpse Bride is a must for Burton fanatics and even if you haven’t got a Tim Burton shrine, it will still entrance you with its unique visual flair and style and you’ll find yourself transfixed by Burton’s dark romanticism. It won’t, however, put you in a hurry to get to the altar or registry office!
