Western Oregon Journal

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A walking, talking corpse that is sexy? Impossible, or so one may think. Not in Tim Burton and Mike Johnson's new creation, Corpse Bride. While many people may claim that anything animated (be it with a pencil or on a computer) is for kids, Burton and Johnson manage to send that myth to the grave in this adult-friendly movie.

The unique and haunting twist to Corpse Bride's animation follows in the tradition of its predecessor, The Nightmare Before Christmas, the cult classic also directed by Burton in 1993. Similar to Nightmare, Corpse Bride gleams with Burton's fascination for dark and macabre themes. While it doesn't quite match up with Nightmare's flare, imagination and musical score, Corpse Bride most definitely won't be leaving audiences dying from boredom.

Featuring the voice talents of the always-fabulous Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Tracey Ullman and many more, Corpse Bride is a real treat to watch. The story itself follows the tragic, but hilarious, misunderstanding bestowed upon timid Victor Van Dort (Depp) when he accidentally weds an alluring, yet dead, bride (Bonham Carter), while practicing his own wedding vows to lovely Victoria Everglot (Watson), who he originally planned to marry in the first place! The once-heartbroken Corpse Bride wants nothing more than to drag poor Victor underground to the land of the dead and make him her husband for eternity. But how can Victor love a dead woman when he is already in love with someone who still has blood coursing through her veins?

Corpse Bride is certainly one-of-a-kind and shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys a good, but strange and unusual love story. Just be extra thankful that it arrived in time for the most frightening holiday of the year!

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