Dark Shadows (2012)

When it’s over, Tim Burton’s adaptation of the 1960’s television series looks eerie and beautiful.  The colorful costumes, set designs, and make-up gives the film a surreal appearance, a dominant trait found in almost all of Burton’s films, where the fantastical collides with the real world.  In this case, it is in the form of Barnabas Collins and his descendants living at Colllinwood Manor.  Barnabas (Johnny Depp) is an imprisoned vampire cursed by the seductress witch, Angelique (Eva Green).  After two centuries, Barnaby awakes to the year 1972 and finds his ancestral home in ruins and vows to restore his family’s name and status.  I have to give praise to Seth Grahame-Smith, the screenwriter responsible for giving Barnabas some of the funniest lines in the film.  Depp doesn’t disappoint as the misplaced vampire searching for a way to break the family curse.  He is charming, witty, and politely evil as he quenches his thirst with human blood.  Green isn’t bad at playing the villain nor is she good.  She seems to be trapped into playing these sultry roles, which are becoming stale and boring.  Even her character's eventual demise is a lame way to go, making the film's ending less satisfying.  Michelle Pfeiffer brings mystery and allure to her role as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Mistress of Collinwood Manor in 1972.  Dr. Chloe Grace Moretz is a wonderful young actress, whose talents are misused in the role of Carolyn Stoddard, the rebellious daughter with a secret.  The secret is also poorly represented in the story.  Talented Helena Bonham Carter plays quirky and strange once again as Dr. Julia Hoffman, the family's doctor who seeks to remain forever young.  Overall, the film was okay.  The great tunes of the 70's add to the setting and helps to pad the dull moments, which would have easily put me to sleep.

My rating: 3 out of 5