Corpse Bride (2005)

This is yet another film by my favourite trio, Johnny Depp, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter. I have not seen a flop by these yet, and Corpse Bride didn't disappoint. It is the perfect mix between obscenity and comedy to provide an evening of entertainment. It shows a son of a "Nouveau Riche" family, Victor, who is set to marry the daughter of a broke aristocratic family, Victoria, whom he has never met. At the rehearsal he keeps forgetting his vows, so he retreats to the forest where he practises his wedding on what he thinks is a small branch. To his dismay, he realises a minute later that he has in fact said his vows and placed his ring on the finger of a corpse who was buried there. The corpse, Emily, in bridal attire, tells him the tragic story of how she was murdered on her wedding night, and how she has been waiting for someone to ask her to marry him. Hilarity and tragedy ensue as Victor faces a choice between two women, and has to overcome the obstacle of the pompous Lord Barkis whose intentions seem to have little to do with love as he courts the young Victoria. I loved the portrayal of the dead in this film. They are one comunity, united in death, having fun in their eternal days, as oposed to the often gruesome and vengeful walking dead that many films show. I was very into the unusual animation, which put a comical side to the horrifying subject. This seems to be Burton's expertise, since he enjoys putting his own touch to many gory themes. I challenge anyone to find me a Burton, Depp and Bonham-Carter film that I will not enjoy!