Reaction to Tim Burton's Dark Shadows Trailer
Posted 03.16.12 by Chris
When it was first announced that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp were collaborating for the eighth time on Dark Shadows, fans around the world were excited for what a Burton/Depp vampire movie would look like. And with the release of the first trailer, we now know. Burton obviously went for a campy/comedic tone for his adaption of the Gothic soap opera.
Depp seemingly channeled Ed Wood to play Barnabas, who is cursed into being a vampire by the jealous Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), buried alive, and then uncovered 200 years later in the 1970s. In the trailer we see glimpses of what Barnabas's world was like before he was vampire. Then see Barnabas trying to make sense of his new world (calling a TV sorcery, asking when the horses can be ready). Though it looks more like Austin Powers than Dracula, if anyone can get away with it, it's Burton and Depp. So what did fans think about the trailer?
Stuart Manning, the owner and editor of Dark Shadows News gave ReelzChannel his impression of the trailer.
Yes, this is obviously a quirkier incarnation of Dark Shadows than we've seen before, but I don't think that's anything to be scared of. Some fans talk about the original show having been deadly serious, but that's not really true – it wasn't adverse to tossing in a one-liner or witticism here or there. The real acid test for this stuff is to ask, does it make you laugh? There's really nothing more painful than watching something trying to be funny and failing. I laughed out loud at least twice watching the trailer, so for me, I guess it passes
Johnny Depp's deadpan Barnabas is a hoot. It's a very funny treatment, taking that very earnest tunnel vision attitude of the original character, and putting that in a real-world scenario. I think it looks magnificent – the town of Collinsport is a stunning piece of design and the photography is beautiful. Michelle Pfeiffer nailed every one of her lines. She's said she's a fan of the original show, and I think you can see her channeling more than a little of that old Dark Shadows acting style. Most of all, it looks fresh and fun and unlike any other trailer I've seen this year. Dark Shadows has been around long enough to withstand a different interpretation. It's not a by-the-numbers remake, nor should it be. It might not please everyone, but I'm excited.
Other outlets seems to agree with Manning about the movie's comedic tone. MTV says, "Burton could have taken "Shadows" one of two ways: He could have stripped it of the over-the-top camp and played it as a straight romantic drama where the protagonist was a conflicted vampire, which is what the creators of the early-'90s TV remake did, or he could turn the volume all the way up and have a little fun, flipping the super serious vibe of the original soap opera upside down and making a blood-splattered comedy. He clearly chose the latter, and that's just fine with us."
Fans on Twitter had mixed reviews about the trailer.
So excited for the new johnny depp movie #darkshadows looks so funny!! - @alstrup87
Someone needs to stop Tim Burton from EVER making another film. Ever. #DarkShadows - @dfmarceau
Just saw the new Dark Shadows movie trailer. Tim Burton, you never disappoint. #JohnnyDepp #DarkShadows - @BSharkk
It goes without saying that I am still miffed about the atrocious vision seen in the new #DarkShadows trailer. Just...why?? - @shinbojack
So what did you think of Burton and Depp's take on Dark Shadows? Sound off in the comments below or send your thoughts on Twitter at @ReelzChannel.
Follow Manning's Dark Shadow News on Twitter at @DarkShadowNews
Next Showing: Dark Shadows opens May 11