I was mesmerised by this movie when I first saw it in the cinema back in 2005...
I mean, the story is really quite fascinating when you come to think of it.
How many "children's" animations portray the themes of death, sacrifice, dishonesty, betrayal...
-In the space of 78 minutes? All the while displaying one captivating soundtrack (Danny Elfman everybody) plus a star-studded cast of voices...
Tim Burton's darkly vivid imagination has successfully managed to conjure up this timeless stop-motion classic. You hear the phrase "for all the family" being passed around a lot these days. Especially with adventure film- flops that never amount to much but, in this case, they might be on to something. Sure it's a little more mature than the average kid's film but who's to say that it's "too much" for them to handle. Sometimes, their uncomplicated minds can spot things that the more life-experienced cannot. Just like the children in the movie welcoming their loving dead relatives while the townsfolk fled.
Let's look at things realistically speaking; life is brutal. We all know that. However, from time-to-time, that element of reality seems to lose touch in some children's films dare I say High School Musical (sorry). Corpse Bride, even with all of the fantasy, is more true than most of the stuff in the cinema out there now. Think Lord Barkis with his shady agenda, if you've seen it.
There's also the subject of binary oppositions; life and death, the upper-class and the working-class. Which side is scarier? I'll let you guys make of it what you wish, but I think it's clear that Corpse Bride is no simple watch.
Victor & Emily Piano Duet (here's the link that will direct you to youtube)
Thanks for reading :D
