Review of 'Corpse Bride'

corpse_bride.jpg Another stop-motion masterpiece from Tim Burton.

In the late 1800s young man Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp) is to marry Victoria Everglot (voiced by Emily Watson). The Everglots have fallen on hard times are marrying into the Van Dorts to improve their position in society. At the wedding rehersal Victor is unable to remember his lines and escapes into the forest to practice. When he finally gets the lines right he realises he has accidentally married to a dead woman, Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) who was killed by her erstwhile husband. She ecstatically rises from the dead to claim her husband then takes him to meet her family in the underworld. Victor is not altogether happy but it seems as though he has an unexpected bride…

This is short, dark (literally and figuratively), macabre, quirky stop-motion animated film from the master of such films, Tim Burton. It is very much in his trademark style of tall, gangly, and deeply odd looking characters with large expressive eyes. Unlike “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “Corpse Bride” is not as much of a musical with only a couple of such numbers in the 77 minute run time. The action here comes thick and fast with viewer interest never really having a chance to wane. The animation, as might be expected, is absolutely incredible with the characters really brought to life on the screen with an amazing about of detail. Timing is precise and the imagery is fantastic. Sure, it might not be as complex as other such films in terms of plot or scope but it is a small, wonderful little story complete with a slightly bittersweet ending.

Putting aside the dark nature of the film this is a charming, simple, story of love from the mind of Tim Burton.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2019-09-15


Directed by: Tim Burton and Mike Johnson

Studio: Warner Bros.

Year: 2005

Length: 77 minutes

Genre: Animation

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121164/


Other reviewed films by Tim Burton: