Tim Burton's Corpse Bride looked promisingly like the Nightmare Before Christmas with excellent animation and an interesting plot. And with Danny Elfman at the music helm, how could you possibly go wrong? Weeell, the plot is really not there as promised, and the music wasn't as good as it could have been.

Plot: So Victor and Victoria are engaged to be married due the lack of money in Victoria's family and the lack of title in Victor's family. They have never met and we are introduced to the situation the day before the wedding as the families are preparing to go to the rehearsal. Victor cannot get his vows said properly, and the rehearsal and wedding is put on hold until he can get it right. So he goes out to the woods to be alone to practice. He finally gets it right only to discover in placing the ring on a branch, during his practicing, he has awakened a corpse bride (and finds himself married to her--even though their was no official there to make it an official marriage). Whatever will Victor do? He finds himself in the land of the dead, in love with his arranged marriage bride, Victoria, and married to Emily his corpse bride. How will he get back to the land above and dissolve his marriage to Emily so that he can be with Victoria? For that you will have to watch the movie itself.

This movie is surprisingly lacking of a good plot. I felt like I came into the middle of the story and just caught the ending. Running at only 76 min, they could have lengthen it and given us a bit more of a story. I feel there was a lack of characterization. The only character we actually get to know and get to see develop is Emily. Therefore, we identify with her instead of the main character, Victor. Also, the music is not a good as it could be. It is laced with disney-eske songs that in some cases just does not work. I expect more from Danny Elfman. However, the animation was great. That, at least, was the quality that I have come to expect from Burton. The characters looked and moved really well. I am continually amazed at what can be done with animation. It was visually appealing.

The voicing was well done, and fitting to the character. Johnny Depp voices Victor quite nicely. He plays the reluctant bridegroom well, giving him the hesitant air of a man who has been controlled by events or his parents all his life. Helena Bonham Carter voices what I would consider the only true character in the movie, the corpse bride or Emily. She is the only character with any kind of depth, and Carter's voicing only adds to the character, she puts a lot of emotion into her character through the voice. Emily Watson is Victoria. We don't see much of this character--the bulk of the movie focusing on Victor and Emily. Her voicing matches well, she is the meek Victorian maid, who for the most part does what she is told. Overall the voicing was well done.

My overall feel for the movie, it that while it will entertain your kiddies for the 76 min duration, it probably won't be a favorite. And it is definitely not as good as some animation films that I have seen. While the animation and voicing is great the plot and music is just not there. If you have kids and don't think they will be bothered by the morbid nature of this film, then take them to see it as a Saturday or Sunday afternoon treat, but go to the Matinee.


Recommended: Yes