“Dark Shadows” is based on the 60’s cult TV series of the same name. The big screen version stars Johnny Depp and is directed by Tim Burton.
In the late 1700’s a wealthy playboy named Barnabas Collins (Depp) has a torrid affair with a beautiful woman (Eva Green) in his employ. Unbeknownst to him she is a witch and when he scorns her, she turns him into a vampire.
Barnabas is captured and buried for centuries until he’s unearthed in the year 1972.
Although his craving for blood is strong, the bonds of family are stronger. So he sets off to help his now struggling descendants and get the family business back on track.
But low and behold the very witch he scorned 2 centuries earlier is now in the final stages of putting the Collins clan out of business for good.
Can Barnabas save his family?
Promoted as a comedy, “Dark Shadows” offers up some chuckles here and there but there really aren’t any big laughs in this confusing and schlocky mess. Nothing in this film seems to work as the film seems to keep shifting focus and plot points.
In a nutshell the film just doesn’t know what wants to be.
Even Johnny Depp seems weighed down by the heaviness of his dialogue and a lackluster script. The film just didn’t have the pacing, humor or character development needed for the audience to be engaged.
By the end of the film you simply don’t care what happens, you just want to leave.
Because I expect much better from Burton and Depp, "Dark Shadows" ends up with a D+
It is rated PG-13.
