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Dark Shadows Review

So I’ll be quite honest. Dark Shadows was pretty much the best Burton-Depp-Carter film so far, for me at least. Totally beat out Sweeney Todd and Alice and Charlie so yeah. I’m gonna quickly just give my opinions about the main people involved based on this film only! The only character I plan on really splitting hairs over later on in the post is Dr. Hoffman.

Johnny Depp, Funny as he is Proper in this film. I think he really took the character and formed his own Barnabas, while keeping certain traits in check to have ties to the original concept of the series. But to all Original Fans of Dark Shadows, shame on you if you went into the movie expecting anyone to “copy” the original format. Mr. Frid’s Barnabas lives on through the series, as Johnny’s will live on through this film. 

Michelle Pheiffer, Hats off to you madam, you were wonderful as Elizabeth. Badass when it needed to be and you win the award for working the best with each character, it’s as if you could play off everyone and did, and I give you a standing ovation for that. 

Eva Green, BAMF, you played a BAMF and that’s all I said through-out the film! 

Danny Elfman, the score and musical arrangements were simply the best. Perfect 70’s music, while that score really made the film pop out more.

Colleen Atwood, Your Oscars speak for themselves when someone examines your works. This was pure bliss!

Tim Burton, clap clap clap! This is what I have been waiting for! A Return to humorous gothic plots. I don’t think anyone really can pull such a film off like this quite like you, and this was a visual treat! Personally I hope you kick the Avengers ass in the box office this week, but I know that won’t happen…

Everyone else, simply marvelous! I wasn’t really disappointed with anything. You see, unlike most humans, I can formulate an opinion without purely sticking to the plot. I love the designs, the costumes, speech, it blended well together. 

Now I just want to note something before I go on about Hoffman. I must stress this, if you went into this expecting an entire series (a Soap Opera no less) to be cut down to two hours and have every detail correct, then shame on you! Of course plot lines were going to change and characters were going to be different, and it is their tones that needed to be the same or, shocker, be their own for the film. So without further stalling, here’s my Hoffam post.