LOVING YOU IS LIKE LOVING THE DEAD.

Victor and Victoria (Johnny Depp, Emily Watson) are betrothed, but as he’s wandering into a forest practicing his vows he accidentally raises a corpse bride from the dead. Not quite a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), but a stop-motion animated saga out of the same mold. It’s a charmingly dark tale with amusing tidbits for adults and (not too easily scared) kids. The world of the living is gray and dull, but the world of the dead is colorful and fun; expect tributes to Peter Lorre and Ray Harryhausen. Vivid and entertaining, but nothing sensational and Danny Elfman’s songs are pretty forgettable.

2005-U.S. Animated. 76 min. Color. Directed by Tim Burton, Mike Johnson. Songs: Danny Elfman. Voices of Johnny Depp (Victor Van Dort), Helena Bonham Carter (Corpse Bride), Emily Watson (Victoria Everglot), Tracey Ullman, Paul Whitehouse, Joanna Lumley… Albert Finney, Richard E. Grant, Christopher Lee, Jane Horrocks, Danny Elfman.

Trivia: Co-produced by Burton.

Quote: “Isn’t the view beautiful? It takes my breath away. Well, it would if I had any.” (Bonham Carter)

IMDb