The Corpse Bride

The Corpse Bride was wonderful, full of the same whimsy and charm that was the hallmark of The Nightmare Before Christmas. In fact, there was a great deal of cross-pollination between the two films. The Land of the Dead is an extension of Halloweentown, and the character of Victor Von Dort reads as Jack Skellington in a flesh suit. The similarities were such that I wondered if The Corpse Bride wasn't a sly prequel to the events of Nightmare.

Paralells aside, the movie has all the signature quirks of a Burton film. The music is grand-Sheol Burlesque, with dancing skeletons and a fabulous New Orleans flair that makes you want to dance in your seat while you take in the bizarre delights of the Land of the Dead. It's macabre and funky and delightfully wonky, and even though it is not a place for the living, you find yourself wanting to pull up a chair and stay a spell.

Christopher Lee has a turn as a crotchety bishop, and Johnny is everything you've come to expect from him. The story is pedestrian, but set against the backdrop of outlandish characters and madcap hijinks, you just don't care. I plan to bring this puppy home on DVD the day it hits the shelf, and it's a sweet, fun way to pass two hours.