Movie Review: Johnny Depp shines bright in Dark Shadows

Posted on: 1:09 pm, May 7, 2012, by Chris Parente, updated on: 01:12pm, May 7, 2012

Johnny Depp in 'Dark Shadows'

In Dark Shadows, were treated to Tim Burtons re-imagining of the TV cult classic from the early 70s.

The Gothic television soap opera was wildly over-the-top in its day, and this new movie seeks to outdo that camp, with Johnny Depp at the helm.

Depp stars as Barnabas Collins, a vampire cursed in colonial America. After 200 years of forced hibernation, he returns to reclaim family glory.

The year is 1972, and from Lava Lamps to The Carpenters, this film brings an endless parade of sight gags and cultural references to the decade many of us have forgotten (or would like to).

Ive always been a fan of Tim Burton, and his delightfully twisted vision of the world.

Hes brought humor to this story, a hefty dose of melodrama, and a plot line that moves slower than usual. At times, this film felt a bit more like LONG shadows, and some of Burtons usual creativity seems lacking.

But of course, its Johnny to the rescue. Depp shines, as always. His character is so off-beat and so bizarre, he draws you in and refuses to let you out of his vampire clutch.

The funniest lines, the best moments, and highlights of this film all belong to Depp. Its a dangerous game when the actor outshines the material. But he carries this movie, with enough charisma to make me nostalgic for even the tackiest macram owl and resin grapes.

Dark Shadows opens Friday. Its rated PG-13.