The new Tim Burton film stars Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Eva Green. Barnabas Collins (Depp) was the son of the wealthy owner of a fishing business, who came as a young boy to America in the 18th century when his dad decided to expand his empire to the New World. He and servant Angelique (Green) have a love affair, but her love for him is not reciprocated. Angelique, secretly a witch, curses Barnabas to become a vampire, and kills his new girlfriend, Josette. Anguished because of his new appearance, the treatment he has gotten because of it, and a broken heart, Barnabas is tricked by Angelique into a coffin, and she buries him six feet under, where he remains for nearly two centuries. When he is finally liberated, it is 1972, and what is left of the once illustrious Collins family are four dysfunctional members: Elizabeth (Pfeiffer), her daughter Carolyn (Chloe Grace Moretz), Elizabeth's brother Roger (Jonny Lee Miller) and his son David (Gulliver McGrath), who is considered of unsound mind because he sees his mother's ghost. Rounding up the inhabitants of the household are the wild live-in doctor, Julia (Bonham Carter), servant Willie (Jackie Earle Haley), and governess Victoria (Bella Heathcote, a Tim Burton doll incarnate), who shares David's gift of seeing ghosts and becomes Barnabas's object of affection. When his ancestors secretly take him in, Barnabas must adapt to everything new from the unfamiliar age, as well as seek revenge against Angelique, who still lives and is destroying what is left of the Collins business with her growing fishing empire. The film definitely has high points and low points -- wildly funny at times, incredibly boring at times. There is a lot of talent in the cast, including a cameo by Christopher Lee, and Johnny Depp is his quirky, awesome self as always, and Eva Green is especially outstanding. However, the story never reaches its true comedic potential. What could have easily been one of Burton's best films falls short.
Should you see this film: Yes
Grade: B
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