This film is probably my personal "weirdest movie". It's very much the soap-opera-crammed-into-a-movie that it is. But there's a lot to enjoy.
For one, the tone is interesting. It's a horror comedy, the likes of which we haven't seen since Ghostbusters, I'd argue, and it definitely earns a hard PG-13 rating, uncommon for Burton. It's an interesting adult mood that I actually kind of enjoyed. There's still Gothic imagery, great shots and visuals, and creative horror ideas, but the film is a very entertainment-focused piece that focuses less on meaning.
The characters are okay, but many are underutilized. Barnabas Collins is a nice fish-out-of-water who holds onto his dignity, though his ambiguous morality is discussed, if not justified. Angelique is a supernatural Tammy 2 and fun to watch. Victoria/Maggie is just a means to introduce a plot and was the character I was most disappointed to see so little of. Dr. Hoffman is a rare American role for HBC, and I liked her moments, and Michelle Pfeiffer is great as Elizabeth, but not given enough time. The rest are mainly supporting figures who have promise that feels right for former soap characters, but of course, they don't get their own arcs and episodes to explore that.
The plot is also a lot. Several ideas, conflicts, and concepts are all introduced (can a human vampirize themselves with vampire blood? Is the dead love of Barnabas spiritually attached to the new governess? Can a 1700s man adjust to 1970s life?), but they're all, again, like separate episodes and arcs that don't get their due. I like the idea that the twists and turns are even more jumbled in a film's time, but it still feels off. I think the film might have been much better off as a television reboot of the original show, because I like and want to see more of these plots and characters.
I also feel like the film is a bit lacking in strong female roles. Two of the main females are at some point defined by sexual relations with Barnabas, the love interests are nothing characters, and the most proactive woman, Elizabeth, is underused.
It's a very strange film, and I don't counter any arguments against it. But I was still fascinated by the ideas it put out and entertained by its story. If you like Burton or just a spooky spectacle, it's a fun watch.
Complaints are all fair, but I was undeniably entertained.
This film is probably my personal "weirdest movie". It's very much the soap-opera-crammed-into-a-movie that it is. But there's a lot to enjoy.
For one, the tone is interesting. It's a horror comedy, the likes of which we haven't seen since Ghostbusters, I'd argue, and it definitely earns a hard PG-13 rating, uncommon for Burton. It's an interesting adult mood that I actually kind of enjoyed. There's still Gothic imagery, great shots and visuals, and creative horror ideas, but the film is a very entertainment-focused piece that focuses less on meaning.
The characters are okay, but many are underutilized. Barnabas Collins is a nice fish-out-of-water who holds onto his dignity, though his ambiguous morality is discussed, if not justified. Angelique is a supernatural Tammy 2 and fun to watch. Victoria/Maggie is just a means to introduce a plot and was the character I was most disappointed to see so little of. Dr. Hoffman is a rare American role for HBC, and I liked her moments, and Michelle Pfeiffer is great as Elizabeth, but not given enough time. The rest are mainly supporting figures who have promise that feels right for former soap characters, but of course, they don't get their own arcs and episodes to explore that.
The plot is also a lot. Several ideas, conflicts, and concepts are all introduced (can a human vampirize themselves with vampire blood? Is the dead love of Barnabas spiritually attached to the new governess? Can a 1700s man adjust to 1970s life?), but they're all, again, like separate episodes and arcs that don't get their due. I like the idea that the twists and turns are even more jumbled in a film's time, but it still feels off. I think the film might have been much better off as a television reboot of the original show, because I like and want to see more of these plots and characters.
I also feel like the film is a bit lacking in strong female roles. Two of the main females are at some point defined by sexual relations with Barnabas, the love interests are nothing characters, and the most proactive woman, Elizabeth, is underused.
It's a very strange film, and I don't counter any arguments against it. But I was still fascinated by the ideas it put out and entertained by its story. If you like Burton or just a spooky spectacle, it's a fun watch.