On a Messy Vampire Film with Dark Shadows

Another vampire film, although this time based on a soap opera from the 60s not too dissimilar to The Addams Family (164 – 1966). However, the film, Dark Shadows, does not come close to matching the gothic fun of The Addams Family (1991). This is a trademark Tim Burton film with iconographic set design and camera work that is Burton’s blueprint and as always there is enjoyment to be taken from that. And, as always, Johnny Depp in the lead role once again shows his versatility. Unfortunately the film is poorly put together with the story feeling so conflated that it screams inconsistency. Other than Depp characters are irregularly drawn and are either grossly overlooked and underused (Jonny Lee Miller, Helena Bonham Carter) or appear significant but are then ignored for large chunks (Bella Heathcote, Michelle Pfieffer). Yet it is Chloe Grace Moretz who takes the award for most bizarre character development.

All this is a shame as when Depp and Burton work well, it really works well. Yet Sleepy Hollow (1999) is the last example. Mostly, Dark Shadows just feels like a whole soap opera crammed into a two-hour film and that will never work.