Corpse Bride (2005)

What happens if you accidentally marry a woman who was killed just before she was to be married? You end up in the wacky and unique world of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. Bride is another stop animation work from Burton, with his trademark style and dark humor, the story follows the misadventures of Victor Van Dort, voiced by Johnny Depp as he struggles between his empathy and affection for the corpse bride, acted by Helena Bonham Carter, and his true love, Victoria Everglot, who's voice is provided by Emily Watson.

Amidst a cinematic world of computer animated films such as Shrek 1 and 2 and other computer animated characters in King Kong and Jurrasic Park, it's refreshing to see the art form brought by stop animation has not lost it's magic. Despite this, the overall effect of the film is hit and miss. As a love story or as a film with musical numbers, neither the love story or songs are truly memorable. And the surprise twist of the film in the second act was none too subtle either.

If you are a true Burton fan, you will love the dark imagery, the off-kilter humor and occasionally gross moments. If not, I'd suggest watching some of Burton's more touching fare, such as Big Fish or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where his unique take on the world is at its cinematic peak.