Corpse Bride (2005) - Review in 4K Ultra HD

      Corpse Bride, 2005.

      Directed by Tim Burton & Mike Johnson.

      Featuring the voice talents of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Christopher Lee, Albert Finney, Michael Gough, Tracey Ullman, Joanna Lumley, Richard E. Grant, and Paul Whitehouse.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A young man preparing for marriage is unexpectedly taken to the underworld, where he inadvertently becomes wed to a corpse bride.

      Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, to use its complete title, has been released on 4K UHD 20 years after its debut in theaters. Although it remains a relatively 'modern' film, it possesses a quaint and 'old-world' charm that decades of CGI and animation techniques have failed to diminish.

      In fact, if it weren't for the special features on the disc showcasing the filmmaking process, one might assume it was solely a CGI creation done by a few animators on a computer due to the stunning quality of its visuals. However, Corpse Bride primarily employs stop-motion puppetry, and with its new 4K enhancement, it now appears as polished and seamless as anything stored in Hollywood’s archives.

      Inspired by a 17th-century Russian-Jewish folktale, Corpse Bride tells the story of Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp), who is engaged to Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson), an aristocrat. This marriage aims to elevate the social position of the Van Dorts and restore wealth to the impoverished Everglots. After a wedding rehearsal where Victor struggles with his vows—much to the dismay of the menacing Pastor Galswells (Christopher Lee)—he takes a walk in the woods to practice. When he mistakenly places the ring on a branch resembling a hand, he accidentally awakens the titular Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter) and is carried off to the underworld, where he meets the assortment of skeletons and monsters residing there.

      Meanwhile, in the real world, Victoria is heartbroken over her missing bridegroom. When she learns he is now wed to another—specifically, a corpse—it sets the stage for the devious Lord Barkis Bittern (Richard E. Grant) to swoop in and claim her for himself, much to the delight of her parents, who see an opportunity for wealth. However, all is not as it seems with Lord Barkis—could he have a prior connection with the Corpse Bride?

      With a narrative that, if portrayed as a live-action horror film, might provoke serious inquiries for Tim Burton, Corpse Bride is rather a charming romantic tale that appeals to audiences of all ages. The stop-motion animation has always been top-notch, and now with its upgrade, it is visually striking, especially in the underworld, where, in classic Tim Burton fashion, vibrant greens and purples leap from the screen reminiscent of a neon-lit 1980s music video (and yes, there are musical segments, but don’t let that deter you). In stark contrast, the real world is portrayed as gloomy and bleak, illuminated only by a bluish moonlight that outlines the details of the Victorian architecture, leaving one to wonder whether these are actual puppets or digital creations due to their impeccable appearance.

      However, it is not solely the animation that breathes life into the characters; the impressive voice performances from Burton’s frequent collaborators during this era are noteworthy. Johnny Depp was a fitting choice at the time, but his role is understated since Victor is a rather timid character with little dialogue. Similarly, Victoria doesn’t have much to express, leaving it to Helena Bonham Carter as the Corpse Bride to infuse some personality into the main trio, which she does splendidly. In fact, it is the supporting characters who provide the most exuberance to the narrative, particularly Christopher Lee as Pastor Galswell and Albert Finney as Victoria’s father, Lord Finis Everglot, who delivers a memorable line: “There’s an eye in me soup” during the chaos when the deceased return for their wedding celebration.

      Accompanied by several studio featurettes on the film's making—highlighted by the process of puppet creation—Corpse Bride on 4K UHD makes for a captivating addition to your Halloween viewing this year. It is both highly entertaining and technically impressive, and while its songs may not be as unforgettable as those in The Nightmare Before Christmas, this concise film, running at just 77 minutes, is filled with dark humor, whimsically macabre imagery, and heartfelt performances, easily cementing Corpse Bride as Tim Burton’s most accomplished animated work to date.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward