Dark Shadows

In many ways, Dark Shadows is similar to an Easter egg which, once the surface is cracked, you're invariably confronted by a gaping void of air (actually, I'm not even sure you can buy a fully-solid Easter egg!). Tim Burton's latest project is the filmic equivalent of this chocolate nothingness, albeit with a slightly bloodier taste.

Dark Shadows is the eighth collaboration between Burton and Johnny Depp and this time, Mr Wonka has been replaced with an altogether more supernatural being. Based on a 1960s television gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows sees Depp play Barnabas Collins, a 200 year-old vampire who, having broken the heart of a witch and been cursed by her to eternal damnation, is released from his coffin in 1972 America. On hearing of his family's difficult financial circumstances, Barnabas vows to avenge his family and restore their good name in the town which they built. And here we have the first problem: the plot. A film which places a vampire at the centre of a dispute about a family fish canning business was either going to need to be hugely funny or...well, hugely funny. And I'm afraid that it just didn't work. Add to this several characters whose function in the narrative was less-than-clear and the resulting two hours was predictable and somewhat painful.

This is not to say that the film was unenjoyable but the comedic elements in the film were, for the most part, very disappointing and barely raised the faintest of fanged smiles. Even the strong cast, starring Eva Green as the evil witch Angelique, Michelle Pfieffer, Helena Bonham Carter and Chloë Moretz could do little with a script which was as about as funny as open-heart surgery with a fish knife. Depp's enigmatic performance as the wronged vampire was amusing to watch but after the fiftieth joke about the Devil and “birthing hips”, even he began to get rather dull. An episodic narrative which was confused and seemed to forget many of the plot strands did little to help the situation. The film looks, of course, crazily-weird and has a distinctive aesthetic which only Burton could achieve. The psychedelic vibes of the 1970s are crashed head-on with the Gothic interiors of Barnabas' mansion and the costumes certainly added to the overall effect. From a directorial perspective, Burton has certainly toned-down the levels of crazy which can be found in some of his other films and whilst this may attract a larger audience, it has left the film (in the absence of any real humour) rather flat.

Eva Green's vamped-up witch performance, along with Depp's, was entertaining to watch and the special effects on her skin (if you see the film, you'll know what I mean) were very impressive. But this highlights one of the film's major problems. From the opening shots of Liverpool in the 1760s and the prologue of Barnabas' demise, the film's tone is laced with black humour and slightly surreal action – again, the hallmark of Burton. But by the film's climax, the tone has shifted to something altogether more dark and horror-like. This shift is rather mismanaged and the resulting effect is a film which doesn't quite know where it's pitched: it doesn't fully realise its comedic ambitions and, in many ways, gets too dark for its own good. Whilst these issues don't create a bad film, they certainly don't distinguish it from any other offering in the genre.

So, Dark Shadows is by no means Burton's weakest work, but nor is it exciting enough to raise the dead. Once the superficial exterior is cracked, the script's lack of humour leaves a cavernous void which is a shame, given Depp's potential. There are some competent performances, interesting visuals and a few enjoyable gags but apart from that, there's little real substance in which to sink your teeth. 

Clapperboard Rating: * *