Set in a Victorian British village most
probably in the late 1800s, this morbid animated film was developed by its director, Tim Burton, along with his crew and some
promising actors and actresses such as Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and
Emily Watson. Though it is gothic in
nature, this film contains more than meets the eye.
Victor Van Dort, the
son of neauvou riche merchants, deliberately found himself in an arranged
marriage with Victoria Everglot, the daughter of bankrupt aristocrats and a classy
woman whom he's never been able to speak to. But when they first met, both of
them were quickly attracted to each other. However, after Victor ruined one of their
wedding rehearsals, he ventured deep into the woods to practice his wedding vows.
Unfortunately for him, during his practice, he discovered that he accidentally recited
his vows to a corpse. His new, deceased bride, delighted by the idea of
wedding, took him with her to the Land of the Dead, while his living fiancée
waited desperately for his return in the Land of the Living. With two brides
both wanting to be with him, Victor is faced with the predicament of choosing
between his love-at-first-sight fiancée Victoria, and his tragic corpse bride
Emily.
Though at first, some
would often say that it is a horror movie, the film is actually more of a gloomy
fairy tale musical filled with dancing skeletons and magical potions. I love
the fact that Tim Burton chose to portray the Land of the Dead more vivid and
lively compared to the dull and gloomy Land of the Living. The dead are more
energetic than those who are still living and while most of those who have
still-beating hearts care more about money and worldly possessions, the Land of
the Dead inhabitants are more concerned to what happens with their fellow dead
and are loyal to their friends.
Corpse Bride
is definitely a must-see movie. Its colors are fantastic and the musical it contains
would definitely appeal to your senses. And though it runs for less than 2 hours,
the message this 77-minute movie contained would definitely touch you for a lifetime.
