'Corpse Bride' gives dead chance to live
By Susannah Elliott, Entertainment Editor
September 28, 2005 | 7:30 p.m.
Director Tim Burton, who brought us “Beetle Juice,” “Edward Scissorhands” and, most recently, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” has established himself as a director who makes films that many call “quirky.”
Yet Burton’s quirky stories have developed a cult following that appreciate his work for its macabre fantasy-filled stories and visuals.
Fans of Burton shouldn’t expect another “Nightmare Before Christmas” with his newest film, “Corpse Bride.” Burton stresses the difference between these films was the actual process and his collaboration with co-director Mike Johnson. The stories were also developed differently. “Nightmare” came from Burton’s own imagination, while “Corpse Bride” is loosely based on an old Russian folk tale.
The movie follows one of Burton’s common themes — the plight of the outcast. The shy Victor (Johnny Depp) finds himself accidentally married to a shapely undead woman (Helena Bonham Carter) She drags him to the Land of the Dead on the eve of his planned wedding to Victoria. The aristocratic parents of the bride are understandably upset as the awkward Victoria (Emily Watson) waits patiently for Victor in this 19th century Land of the Living. The story includes a cast of strangely unique characters of all backgrounds, dead and alive, adding dimension to Victor’s own plight.
“They all are outcasts in their own way and that’s the beauty of the story to me,” Burton told Fi-Sci Net last Wednesday. “That’s what gave it its poignancy to me, and its bittersweet and sort of hopeful and sad quality altogether.”
Fans of Burton have come to expect skillful storytelling and dark, beautiful artistry from his movies. They won’t be disappointed with his newest film. Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” opened in five theaters throughout the United States on Sept. 16 and has already grossed $411,000 in its first weekend..”
Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” can be seen starting Friday, Sept. 23 at the Athena Theater and other theaters nationwide.