Filmmaker Tim Burton is a brilliant talent whose movies usually define the word peculiar. From his start in the late 80s, Burton has helmed such odd tales as “Beetlejuice,” Edward Scissorhands,” and “Batman.” Perhaps Burton’s best known film is the 1993 animated holiday themed classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” 12 years after Jack Skellington and company attempted their hijacking of Christmas comes “Corpse Bride.” Released in 2005, “Corpse Bride” would be Burton’s third stop-motion animation project, and would feature the same animated technology that was on display in “Nightmare,” though through a much cleaner presentation.
Characters are similar in design and mannerism, with catchy musical numbers and Burton’s trademark macabre dreariness oozing over each and every scene. Musician and Burton collaborator Danny Elfman lends his talents to the soundtrack, which incudes numerous tunes that rival the brilliance of the songs in “Nightmare.”
Based on a 19th Century Russian folktale, “Corpse Bride” has enough creeps and quirks that it could easily be penciled into your 31 days of Halloween lineup, and parents of small children may wish to take note.
“Corpse Bride” tells the story of Victor (voiced by long time Burton friend and go-to-guy Johnny Depp) who is facing the glum prospects of an arraigned marriage created by his parents. Through a fit of nerves, Victor finds himself rehearsing his vows in a dark and chilling forest where he inadvertently proposes to, and becomes the husband of a recently murdered young woman.
“Corpse Bride features quirky characters and sing along songs, and the sort of love story only Tim Burton could conjure. As the skeletal bride Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) brings Victor to the land of the dead, Victor must use his wits to get back home.
The land of the dead features a horde of deceased miscreants, from a decapitated waiter to a skeleton with sword impaling his gut. Even the human characters have an off-putting look about them – and the movie is perfect for it.
What I liked most about “Corpse Bride” is the relationship forged between Emily and Victor. Though shocking at first glance, Emily is a well meaning young woman who had her glorious dreams of her wedding day sadly cut short by her murder.
Victor begins fearful of Emily, with his only desires to be returning to the land of the living. However as the story progresses, Victor opens his hear to the highly unusual situation he is in.
Emily’s good heart is perfectly represented in one scene, where she bestows upon Victor a perfect engagement gift. Rotting flesh aside, Emily is the kind of girl I wish I could find in my own land of the living.
I love Tim Burton’s animated movies. He creates them with an artistic style unmatched by any other.
It’s been a dozen years since “Corpse Bride,” – one can only hope Burton has a new animated movie coming soon. It’s hard to duplicate the perfection of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” but Tim Burton manages to come close with this one.
by – Matt Christopher
