Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

What’s the Story?

TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE begins as Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp) and Victoria Everglott (Emily Watson) are to be wed in an arranged marriage. Their parents -- nouveau riche Nell and William Van Dort (Tracey Ullman and Paul Whitehouse) and recently poor gentry Maudeline and Finis Everglot (Joanna Lumley and Albert Finney) – expect the marriage to leave both families better off, either by means of money or class status. When a nervous Victor flubs the ceremony rehearsal, Pastor Galswells (Christopher Lee) sends him off to practice his vows. Stumbling around in the dark woods, Victor finally seems to get it right, slipping the ring onto what seems a twig. But no: the wood is really the skeletal finger of the Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter). Victor is transported immediately to the Bride's netherworld. Though Victor wants to get back to Victoria -- currently menaced by a next suitor, the devious Barkis Bittern (Richard E. Grant) -- he is also sympathetic to the sweet Bride's lonely plight, and he waffles, lies, and generally watches his life and possible death go on around him.

Is It Any Good?

This movie is self-consciously clever. Victor is an exceedingly empathetic sort, but he is, after all, a bit of a wimp who spends so much time trying to please everyone else that he loses sight of what he wants for himself. Corpse Bride follows Victor's coming to terms with himself, as he figures out what he does want. Lucky for him, Victoria and the Bride are both very understanding. And lucky for us, the stop-motion animation is delightful. Though the story runs thin quickly, the visual show remains airy and charming. Especially if you don't mind the clattering of bones during dance numbers.