Not the greatest movie I have seen, (by far) but one I really wánt to like because of everyone involved.
The movie is based on a tv-show from the seventies, wich was never really big, but inspired Tim Burton nonetheless.
And a real Tim Burton movie it is...comicbook-like characters, with waxlike faces and awesome couloring in the make-up, fantastic - even brilliant - set design, and a story to tell, which he tells in a rather slow pace.
There is where my first critique comes in, cause he might have quickened the pace a bit and with the minutes gained fill in the gaps in the story. The lovestories are presented as facts, but there is hardly any build up. To me that made it a bit superficial, I did not get swepped away...the love is not very passionate, and even the lust lacked that.
The acting...Johnny Depp brings what he always brings and its always a pleasure to watch him (though his beauty is hidden well in this one) Michelle Pfeiffer I love for her always understated humour, and Helena Bonham Carter ( Tim Burtons partner) who - since the Harry Potter movies I cannot see as a sane person anyway - is a wonderfully disturbed psychiatrist.
Then there are a number of cool cameo's...like the actors from the original tv show making an appearence at the 'happening' , another Burton favorite Christopher Lee shows up briefly, and even Alice Cooper show up.
Another big part is played by the seventies themselves...with the hippies, the shaggedelic carpet, the lavalamp and cool music, which is helping to tell the story and never just some background noise.
So..conclusion...if youre a Burton fan..if Johnny or Michelle are favorites, if you like awesome visuals..go see it!
If you want to be swept away...ah....go see it anyway :-)
Inge
