Dark Shadows - fun, fun, fun not in the sun, sun, sun

Dark Shadows

I truly enjoyed this movie.  As a huge fan of the original series, I found Tim Burton and his cast captured the essence of this over the top soap opera.  First aired in 1966, we meet the Collins clan, Elizabeth (the matriarch), her daughter Carolyn, Roger (Elizabeth’s brother), and Roger’s young son David.  They are joined by orphan Victoria Winters – who turns out to be a surprise key.  Nearly a year later we meet Barnabas, the cursed Collins ancestor…and a vampire.  So fast forward 1,500 episodes later and you have a cult hit with everything you might want (werewolves, zombies, ghosts, time travel, and of course the vampire).

I felt this movie was a synopsis of the many story lines found in the original - many episodes were rolled up into one movie.  Yes, Burton makes a few changes, but it works.  Barnabas (Johnny Depp) Collins tells us his life story.  He shows us how he once had everything and lost it all because of one woman’s need for revenge.  Then fast forward 200 years to 1972 where we meet Maggie Evans/Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote), a girl with a secret.  She is traveling to Collinsport to be the governess for the Collins family.  There we meet Elizabeth (Michelle Pfeiffer), who oversees a very dysfunctional family.  Her daughter Carolyn (Chloe Moretz) is a typical teenager full of angst and a bit mouthy (and another secret).  Elizabeth’s worthless brother Roger (Johnny Lee Miller) lives with them and his son David (Gulliver McGrath) who sees ghosts.  Helena Bonham Carter plays Dr. Julia Hoffman (the family shrink) in typical over the top fashion.  Barnabas’ foil is Angelique (Eva Green) the serving maid/witch who was dumped 200 years earlier by Barnabas.  Her revenge is complete; she ruins the Collins family for years – both personally and professionally.

There are plenty of laughs - it is a comedy.  There are even some inside jokes for fans of the series. Original cast members Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker, David Selby and Kathryn Leigh Scott all make an appearance. Frid recently passed away, so it was a moment to smile and reflect. Other cameos include Burton favorite Christopher Lee and Alice Cooper as the 70’s iconic performer…Alice Cooper. The end result is a good tribute to the original for us fanatics and a hoot for newbies.  Yes, you will have to like campy movies and Tim Burton’s quirkie-ness.  This movie is not a romantic comedy, action adventures, or thought provoking epic.  Go see it and just enjoy the ride.