Well, that is certainly a Tim Burton movie.
Here’s a synopsis!
In the year 1752 Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England, to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass, and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet — or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Brouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire and then burying him alive.
Two centuries later Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles.
Also residing in the manor are Elizabeth’s ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter, Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger’s precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David’s new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.
This trailer does make it seem like Tim Burton is having more fun than he’s had in a long time. Word on the street is that this flick’s tone is all over the map and will be difficult for Warners to market properly. This first ad is a pretty good try, and if they keep it up I can see plenty of Hot Topic shoppers being drawn in by the odd humor and weird flourishes.
I admit I have never seen the original Dark Shadows series, but this looks like the film that will bring Burton back on form. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the trailer, which was all good fun and a visual treat. For me it’s the cast that are going to make this film.
It’s not the Dark Shadows I remember from the 60’s and 70’s. But it looks delightful anyway! Tim Burtonish all the way! And Johnny can always play any part he takes on. This one obviously is no exception. Will definitely see this!