Or is she the protagonist? It is a bit refreshing with a film, where there is some uncertainty as to who really is the lead character. It seems so cut and dry early on, but Burton isn't one for the standards. But though original, it adds to the films main problem, as I shall get back to.
There's no surprise that Burton cast Helena Bonham-Carter. He always did. She is perfectly apt though. And can anyone remember a time he didn't cast Johnny Depp? The standouts are, however, Enn Reitel, Albert Finney, Joanna Lumley, Richard Gough, and, as always, Christopher Lee.
The animation is brilliant at most times, and the characters really come alive through them. Extra cudos for Elder Gutknecht, the Corpse Bride and Finis Everglot in that respect. Burtons eye for details is as always impeccable, and this flick is no exception. Watch out for a couple of great puns as well.
Elfman still has the perfect sound for a morbid musical, and particularly the piano-version of the main theme is gorgeous. Generally his musical antics are a brilliant match for the direction and theme, making the musical-numbers very entertaining. You can find a lot of his background from Oingo Boingo in this flick, particularly "The Remains of the Day", where Elfman also provides the vocals. The music doesn't work as well as "The nightmare before Christmas" when parted from the film, though there are a couple of real beauties.
The story and developing of characters (particularly Victor) lacks a bit here and there, and it seems a bit chaotic, both in single scenes, but also with the general storyline. That the spectre of animated figures is exceptionally wide ranged, doesn't help in that respect. But it's a little romance, a little tension and suspense, a dab of good humour and a whole lot of goth, and it is definitely something different. And that's never a bad thing
7/10
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