20 Times Directors You Trust Totally Let You Down
14. Tim Burton - Dark Shadows
The Film:
Known for his darkness, quirkiness and Johnny Depp collaborations, Tim Burton is a widely loved and singular talent. Highlights from his filmography include Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Beetlejuice and the two Michael Keaton Batman films.
The Film:
A Gothic comedy based in an old soap opera? Talk about a match made in heaven! Alas, despite a strong premise, terrific cast and talented director, Dark Shadows sucks.
As always, Tim Burton succeeded with the visuals, but his handling of the story leaves a huge amount to be desired. He's well-known for his balance of light and dark within his films, but weirdly enough with this one he gets the balance entirely wrong. Dark Shadows can't decide if it wants to be a comedy, a horror film or a dark drama, and it fails at being all 3.
Burton doesn't have much luck with the great cast either. Only Eva Green really stands out, while he totally fails to restrain an overracting Johnny Depp.
Has He Bounced Back?
Burton hasn't done so badly recently. The three films (Frankenweenie, Big Eyes and Mrs Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children) he's made since this dud have all done fine. He is soon to direct the live-action Dumbo.