HallowScream - Dark Shadows (2012)

         Hey guys, Chuck here, and we're back with more HallowScream. Back in 1966, a Gothic soap opera called Dark Shadows aired on television, and ran successfully up until its cancellation in 1971. The show garnered a cult following and a dedicated fan base, which apparently included filmmaker Tim Burton, who would produce a film adaptation of the series in the year 2012. So, let's see how Tim Burton takes beloved television characters and portrays them on the big screen. This is Tim Burton's Dark Shadows. 

        The movie opens in 1760 with a boy named Barnabas Collins, as he and his parents plan to sail across the Atlantic from England to America, where they set up the seaside town of Collinsport, Maine, which becomes the hub of the Collins family fishing empire. Eventually, the family builds a massive mansion on the outskirts of town. The mansion would become known as Collinwood. Unfortunately, as a young man, Barnabas would catch the affections of a maid, Angelique Bouchard, but he did not reciprocate her feelings. But, Angelique turns out to be a witch, and uses her magic to kill Barnabas' parents, making it look like an accident. Barnabas learns of witchcraft, and suspects Angelique is, in fact, a witch. However, Barnabas would eventually find love in the form of Josette Du Pres, and the two get engaged. Still jealous, Angelique casts another curse that causes Josette to leap to her death at Widow's Hill, a cliff known for suicides. Barnabas leaps after her at to join her in death, but Angelique uses her magic to transform Barnabas into a vampire. Finally, she turns all of Collinsport against Barnabas, and he is locked in a metal box and buried. 

        Years later in 1972, we meet Maggie Evans, who looks identical to Josette. Maggie, going under the name of Victoria Winters, moves from New York to Collinsport, in order to become the new governess at Collinwood. It's here where we meet the current members of the Collins family: Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard, her daughter Carolyn, Elizabeth's brother Roger, his son David, doctor Julia Hoffman, Mrs. Johnson the maid, and caretaker Willie Loomis. After a successful interview, Elizabeth gives Victoria the job. And yes, I'm going to refer to her as Victoria for the sake of this review instead of calling her Maggie, just to make it easier. Anyway, in the middle of the night, Victoria sees the ghost of Josette give her a message: "He's coming."

        On the outskirts of Collinsport at a construction site for a McDonald's, the construction crew digs up the metal box, and Barnabas emerges, draining the men of their blood. Confused by his new surroundings, Barnabas makes his way to Collinsport, and eventually reaches Collinwood, where he hypnotized Willie into being his loyal servant. Willie leads Barnabas inside, where he meets both David and Carolyn, but is taken to speak in private by Elizabeth, and he confirms that he is, indeed, Barnabas Collins, he is a vampire, but he will not harm anyone in the family, and shows her a secret chamber with lots of gold trinkets. Elizabeth agrees to work with Barnabas, but so long as no one knows he's a vampire. 

        Eventually, Angelique who has become a major player in Collinsport's fishing industry with her company Angel Bay, learns that Barnabas is free, and tries to rekindle what fun times they had. However, Barnabas is unconvinced by her charms, and he and Elizabeth resolve to restore Collinwood, and restart the Collins family fishing business, bringing on several fishermen formerly contracted with Angel Bay to work for him instead. Also, Barnabas begins to have therapy sessions with Dr. Hoffman, who learns that he's a vampire, but thinks she can use science to make him human again. All the while, Barnabas and Victoria being to grow close. 

         To celebrate the family business picking back up, Barnabas decides to throw a massive party at Collinwood, complete with a mirrorball, alcohol, and a live performance by Alice Cooper. Unfortunately, we learn a few things at this point. First, Roger is a greedy sack of shit who only cares about wealth instead of his son's well being. And second, Dr. Hoffman isn't trying to make Barnabas human, but use his blood to make herself a vampire. Whoops. So, Barnabas does away with Hoffman, and gives Roger the choice to either be the father David needs, or leave for good with enough money to live his life elsewhere. Roger, of course, chooses the latter option, and it's here where everyone else learns that Barnabas is a vampire. 

        Attempting to make one last deal with Angelique, she locks him in his metal box again, and sets the Collins family cannery, and sets an angry mob to Collinwood. Luckily, Barnabas is rescued by David, who returns with Barnabas and Willie back to the mansion. And it's in this moment where Angelique is outed as a witch to the people of Collinsport, and the showdown in the mansion begins. Barnabas and Elizabeth fend off Angelique, and Carolyn, who turns out to be a werewolf, joins in the fight. The ghost of David's mother shows up to get her revenge as well, and Angelique dies, having torn her heart out to give to Barnabas. However, one last spell was cast, and Barnabas goes to save Victoria from Widow's Hill, as the rest of the Collins family watches the mansion burn to the ground. Victoria tries to convince Barnabas to turn her into a vampire, but he pleads for her not to jump. Unfortunately, she jumps, and he quickly bites her to save her. Now calling herself Josette, Victoria is fully a vampire, and she and Barnabas share a passionate kiss. The movie ends underwater, where Dr. Hoffman, also a vampire, wakes up. 

       Okay, so let's just say that when this movie came out, thoughts on it were split. On the one hand, I enjoyed that it gave a better portrayal of vampires than Twilight. However, I do see where some might not enjoy it nearly as much as I did. 

       Now, while both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were pretty enjoyable as Barnabas Collins and Dr. Hoffman, it was the rest of the cast that REALLY stood out for me. Michelle Pfeiffer was fantastic as Elizabeth, with Chloe Grace Moretz being absolutely terrific as Carolyn. I also thoroughly enjoyed both Eva Green as Angelique and Bella Heathcoate as Victoria. However, my personal favorite was Jackie Earle Haley as Willie, who was an absolute scene stealer. Seriously, this guy needs to be in more Tim Burton films. Johnny Lee Miller and Gulliver McGrath were both decent as Roger and David, but that's all I can say. 

        The overall tone of the movie feels a bit mixed between being gothic and being a campy '70s romp. Whether that was intentional or not is a mystery to me, but I think that it was intentional, due to the fact that Tim Burton was looking to capture the feel of a soap opera with this movie. UNF, the soap opera concept only works within serialized television, not a two hour movie. Also, the song choices for the soundtrack were pretty fun. 

         All in all, not one of Burton's absolute best, but still a fun one for me. I'm giving Dark Shadows a rating of 3.65/5. Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and HallowScream will return with Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys.