Corpse Bride (2005)

 

You only have to take a sideways glance at the poster and you'll instantly know that this is a Tim Burton-project. Everything about this, from design to completion, has the man's stamp on it. Couple that with Laika Studios who do the most excellent stop-motion (seriously, they and Aardman are absolute top of their class) and you get a highly enjoyable musical of sorts.

Why a musical? Well, because the characters sing several songs, that's why. 

In a rather grey and dull town, preparations are underway for a marriage between young Victor Van Dort, the son of a wealthy fish merchant, and Victoria Everglot, daughter of a destitute aristocratic family. They've never even met (which is rather weird, considering the minute size of the town) and this is a marriage for convenience's sake. However, when they do meet, they hit it off as both are rather atypical for their family. But Victor flubs the preparations and despondently walks through the forest, practicing his marriage vows. He accidentally puts the ring on the finger of a dead bride and now he's married to a corpse bride. 

Oops. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

He is dragged to the colourful underworld, but immediately devices a plan to return topside to Victoria. But the plot thickens, as a lord Barkis weasles his way into the tale, convincing the Everglots to let him marry Victoria, believing he will get his hands on their money (of which there is none). And then something more reveals itself that will have consequences for everyone... 

This is a film with a very distinct visual style and you can instantly tell that the hand of mister Burton is all over this. But that's okay because it works. The exaggerated facial expressions with those bulging eyes make for fun scenes. What also is a nice touch, is that the world of the dead is extremely vibrant and colourful, whereas the world of the living is dull, grey and well, just not very appealing, to be quite honest. 

The casting is once again top notch, even if you have to content with yet the umpteenth Johnny Depp-performance in a Burton-film. He's okay as Victor, but that's about all. The rest of the characters have more of an impact. Richard E Grant is great as the slimy Lord Barkis, but you'll be in stitches with the parents, especially Victoria's stuck-up pair, played wonderfully by Joanna Lumley and Albert Finney. 

Heck, let's vote the exclamation "Fetch me musket!" to be one of the funniest deliveries ever. 

The songs - of course by Danny Elfman - are fun as always, and they might even play a bit with expectations as they have some clever twists and turns in the vocal department as well. It's a nice touch once again and he manages to capture the mood as always. 

Is it the best Burton out there? No. The story is rather thin and you can see the twist coming several miles away. But it still is very enjoyable and the best jokes are given to the elder members of the voice cast. Heck, Michael Gough has a hilarious line near the end and it's all in his delivery. So have a look. You won't be disappointed, just don't expect a masterpiece.