Movie Review - Corpse Bride!

[Lynx-0-]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/Corpsebridemarriage.jpg


Now, take one look at that image and tell me this movie isn't one of the coolest looking things you've seen on the silver screen in awhile.

I have to start this review off with how the day started for me personally.

I woke up this morning, rolled out of bed, slammed my alarm off, stumbled over to the dresser, found clothes, and headed for the shower. As I walked to the door, I saw the markerboard where I've been writing the Corpse Bride release countdown. Immediatly my eyes widened, and I swallowed my heart. Finally, it's time to see what this movie's got.

The weather today was cold, wet, and bleak. PERFECT Corpse Bride weather. I walked to class feeling refreshed and peaceful despite the down weather. A little thunder here and there topped it off. The weather was literally perfect for such a movie. It remained cold, wet, and bleak all day until we saw the film. Everything today just went right. Classes were great, got all of my homework done, some unforseen software problems got fixed, and I topped it off with a great film.

Ahh, good to be back watching movies at a theater, except it's no fun paying this time around http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I've had my eyes on this film for months, ever since I saw the first trailer at work over the summer. I'm an animation nut, and Tim Burton + stop motion can never go wrong.

Styleistically, this film has it all. It screams out Burton's style, now famous from the Nightmare Before Christmas. Almost everything in the world, organic or not, that comes to a point finishes off with that trademark curl. The color and art direction is brilliant and completely gives the land of the living and land of the dead distinct personalities.

The models themselves are complete works of art. I believe it was QuiGon that mentioned how the heads were set up more like CG muscle systems are. I read up on it, and he was absolutely right. By inserting an allen wrench into the model's ears, or various holes in the back of the head, the animators can adjust paddles and gear systems to change the expressions on the faces. The result of all this fancy talk is extremly fluid lip-synching and facial movements, and subtle little emotion changes that really kick in the mood.

Very little special effects work was done, making almost all of the film an actual tactile prop, built and animated by the team. The Corpse Bride's veil, for example, is only CG in very few scenes. The developers strung very thin wires through the cloth, which gave them the ability to manipulate the veil in any which way they wanted. Along with this, there are some great camera techniques going on that are all non-CG. I'm not sure how they pull some of them off, but there is a true sense of good cinematography in the movie. The scene with Victor and Corpse Bride on the bridge, they kiss as the camera swirls around them. It was a very impacting scene, implemented beautifully.

The story is an interesting one, based off of a Russian folklore I believe. Victor is to wed Victoria when he accidently marries Corpse Bride. Of course, most of you are going to side on Victorias side. I knew I'd side with her, she's living for pete sake! However, they implement GREAT character development. I felt a sort of BGE type relation to the characters. I felt emotion with them, and just wanted to help them at times. Towards the end of the film, I was literally biting my tounge in aniticipation as to what would happen to the characters, I was honestly worried about it! Thats good storytelling!

Once again, Danny Elfman heads up the musical direction for the film. Once again, his scores are beautiful, and fit the mood of the film perfectly. The music is truly a joy to listen to. It helps build on to an allready great film to make it stronger yet.

I loved this movie. Probably the best of the year, at least in animation. I will definatly be going back to see it again in a few days. This is the movie I had anticipated most since The Incredibles, and allthough I like Incredibles more yet, I don't feel let down at all about the film. It's a masterpiece of stop-motion artistry. Make sure you guys check this movie out, it's a classic that will be with us for some time.

[Denden666Piek]

YYEEEEAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I'm going to see it, definately!!!! Tim Burton is the coolest director out there, and I'm going to see this pearl in the cinema, sure thing! Thanks for the review, Lynx. It made me more excited. I've been reading some negative stuff from The Nightmare Before Christmas fanboys, but since I haven't seen that one entirely, I'm going to enjoy this movie 100% on the big screen.

[Lynx-0-]

No problems Denden, you know these are practically my job http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif


I've been reading some negative stuff from The Nightmare Before Christmas fanboys, but since I haven't seen that one entirely, I'm going to enjoy this movie 100% on the big screen.

I've seen the critisism you noted from the fans, and I have to disagree with every one of them. The problem with the fans is they are comparing Corpse Bride to Nightmare, and in contrast you cannot compare the two at all. They're both stop motion animated films with a dark atmosphere. The simularities end there. I would almost go so far as to say I like the storyline to Corpse better than Nightmare. The movie, as it's own, is fantastic. On Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/corpse_bride/) , Corpse Bride has a rating of 83% positive. To put things into perspective (If you're not a rottentomatoes regular. they collect net wide reviews and collaborate them.) Star Wars Ep. III has an 82%, LotR - Fellowship of the ring has a 93%, and The Incredibles has an astonishing 97%. So the critics are saying that Corpse Bride is more than a shoe in, it's a great film.

Make sure you tell me what you think when you go see it.

[Denden666Piek]

Originally posted by Lynx-0-:
Make sure you tell me what you think when you go see it. I will. I just hope it will be here as soon as possible. Not only because I'm tired of waiting, because I have used up all of my patience for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. But also because I have discount-tickets, which lasts till 12 October.

What? I AM a Dutch fellow after all. Dutch like discounts a lot!

[Shanui]

Yay!! I am going to see that very soon. I don't care if the plot is terrible, Tim Burton is a genuis IMO.

And just on a side note...did you notice how Victor suspiciously resembles Johnny Depp a bit? o_O

[Denden666Piek]

Originally posted by Shanui:
Yay!! I am going to see that very soon. I don't care if the plot is terrible, Tim Burton is a genuis IMO.

And just on a side note...did you notice how Victor suspiciously resembles Johnny Depp a bit? o_O I thought of that from the first time I saw an image of Viktor. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif I think more people will say that, is it deliberate? Who knows! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-happy.gif

[Lynx-0-]

I don't care if the plot is terrible,

Well, I've read that on a few negative reviews. I love the plot. I think people are expecting an elaborate hollywoodized plot, where in reality you have a simplistic, emotional, and strong story. This movie is very much about the emotions, both in the characters and in the viewer. The greatest part is that you'll get every bit of the storyline, you won't get lost or confused at any bit.

But the animation is the real coup de grace for the film. I watched it again tonite, just got back 5 minutes ago actually. Man, the movie is so inspiring. The art direction is just amazing. If you guys, *ahem, get the chance, listen to the song The Piano Duet by Danny Elfman, off of the Corpse Bride OST. such amazing songworks. This time through, I paid more attention to the details in the characters and their animation. Make sure you pay close attention to Victoria's and The Corpse Bride's dresses, they're beautifully animated (especially the Corpse Bride's veil, as I've mentioned before. It's absolutly brilliant.)

and as far as I know, the victor resemblance was no mistake, but lets hope that's not the case for Helena Bonham Carter! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif


And just for fun - some of the more advanced mechanics behind the characters:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/CorpseBriderobotics.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/CorpseBrideemotionsystem.jpg

There is some of the details of the muscle system in the faces that I keep raving about. This is how they adjust such minute emotional changes. The holes in their ears are how they adjust the gear systems. Such cool stuff, can't wait for the DVD to release to get more details on it!

[familiarspirit]

I'm probably Burton's number one fan, but I must say this was definitely not his best. This movie was fantastic; score, characters, dialogue. All great. But it didn't have the depth or charm of Nightmare Before Christmas I expected. But, really, good movie. You must see it.

[Denden666Piek]

Amazing how they've used technology to make motions as realistic as possible. Can't wait to see the result. I HAVE seen the trailers though, and they look amazing!

[Lynx-0-]

Again, I discorage anyone from comparing Corpse to Nightmare... you really cannot do it. But, glad to hear you still liked the movie familiarspirit, I'm sick of everyone saying nightmare was better and for no reason axing the movie completely.

This movie is slowing becoming one of my favorite films - it's apparent that I've got a strange taste in movies, no? I loved it, can't wait to see it agian. The soundtrack is one of Elfman's best, I can't stop listening to the two piano spots. man,it's soo good.

[Denden666Piek]

Originally posted by Lynx-0-:
This movie is slowing becoming one of my favorite films - it's apparent that I've got a strange taste in movies, no? Why? If any director deserves credit for making several of the greatest movies ever made, it's Tim Burton. But since he makes strange movies, you could say that in a way, you have got a strange taste in movies, indeed. And me too, by the way. If strange is your interest, you can't go wrong with a good Tim Burton movie! Or a Danny Elfman soundtrack! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[familiarspirit]

Amen

[Lynx-0-]

hahahaha. well put! Well, I find it a bit odd myself that in an era of Matrix and LotR and Batman and Mob movies, my favorites are animated ones featuring a family of superheroes, two following the life of an out of place ogre, and a stop motion animated film about a man accidentally marring a beautiful bride... that's no longer living. Who cares, I love this stuff!

See the movie yet Denden?

[Lynx-0-]

Well, I've got Corpse Bride round 3 coming up on Sunday, taking the girlfriend to see it. I'm planning on seeing this with my bro, too - bringing the total to 4 times. This isn't as much as I saw the Incredibles, tho. 4 times paid for, and about 6 times once I got back to work at the theater.


here's some more great shots to plug the film.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/CorpseBrideHereComestheBride.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/CorpseBridelookingforabook.jpg

Waiting patiently to get Denden's feedback on the movie...

[Shanui]

This puts me in a prediciment...
Corpse Bride or Serenity? I might see a movie tomorrow, but which one?
Why must life be so hard? XD

[Lynx-0-]

Hmm.. both are good, Corpse recieving higher raitings. I never saw Firefly, so I didn't have much incentive for Serenity (but I'd still like to see it.) I would have to recommend Corpse over Serenity, it's just more unique and interesting in my opinion - based on face value of course

[UglyPhil]

i feel sorry for the bride, she looks like michael jackson.

[Shanui]

Originally posted by UglyPhil:
i feel sorry for the bride, she looks like michael jackson.

Now that I look at 'em together, they kind of resemble each other. I think it's the nose... o_O

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/etchesastar/alike1.jpg

I think Johnny Depp and Victor look alike:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/etchesastar/alike2.jpg


...I've got too much time on my hands. :P

[Lynx-0-]

hahahaha that's good stuff. It's definatly the nose, but that's the extent. I thought the Corpse Bride was a beautiful character, as characters can be considered so. I noticed some other oddities about the characters:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/victoria.jpg

To be honest, I prefer Victoria. Never been a big fan of Emily Watson's looks, something always bugged me about her. (Equilibrium being the only major film I've seen her in.) victoria's eyes definatly look like Emily's.

I'm convinced this next one is a direct face-copy. Inspiration comes from anywhere:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/binmaggot.jpg

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Shanui]

Originally posted by Lynx-0-:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/Lynx-0-/binmaggot.jpg


http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif

Niiiiiiice.

[Lynx-0-]

Has anyone other than myself seen this film yet? If not, I have failed my job http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I want to discuss this movie sooooo bad to someone. If you haven't seen it, this weekend is the PERFECT time to see it! There isn't really much out other than this to see. It's well worth the money.

[Denden666Piek]

As much as I love to see this movie, it's not in the cinema yet in Holland. I could download it of course, but I want to experience it on the big screen. I want to see Wallace and Gromit too, by the way. Are you going to see that movie, Lynx?

[waylander786]

Film doesn't look to bad... kinda like a animated film of that game Medi-evil on ps1.

[Denden666Piek]

Originally posted by Axe_Waylander:
Film doesn't look to bad... kinda like a animated film of that game Medi-evil on ps1. The style is similar, yes. The difference is that Medievil used CGI, while Corpse Bride is Stop-Motion.

[Lynx-0-]

Ah, I forgot about the delay Denden. How long until you expect it to be in theaters there?


I do plan on seeing Wallace and Gromit, I was a fan of the shorts of back in the day. It's gotten good reviews, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm just not sure If I'll get around to seeing it at the theaters.

[Denden666Piek]

I never expected Wallace and Gromit to show up in the cinema here BEFORE Corpse Bride. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/blink.gif According to the local cinema's website, Corpse Bride will be here 3 november. Man, that takes way too long. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Wallace and Gromit will be here on Wednessday already.

[Lynx-0-]

Wooooooooooo! Corpse Bride DVD release is TODAY, and I went over to Wal*Mart and bought my copy at 12:35 am! I picked up the sweet special edition with the awesome cover and the included illustrated book. I've already watched it once, so Denden, you're on!

[Denden666Piek]

Okay then, I'll get my not so legal copy and watch it. Thats okay, right? I mean, the DVD isn't going to be here for another month... I'll watch it in a moment, but it looks like you're going to win today, because I've got some things to do.

[Lynx-0-]

That'll work just fine, I forgot about your delay... it's not fair. I've got a busy day as well, so we'll see what happens.

[Lynx-0-]

Well, my total for the Corpse Bride marathon was 4 times all the way through. Worse yet, one of my friends down here watched it 6 times...

[Thunderpants1]

Just got the DVD. Maybe Ill have to watch it...

[Denden666Piek]

I still haven't seen it after the official release(although countless of times before, but they don't count now), I'm still watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. I better get started.

[Thunderpants1]

I finally saw it. Its assuredly a good movie, but its not quite Nightmare Before Christmas.

[Denden666Piek]

Originally posted by Thunderpants1:
I finally saw it. Its assuredly a good movie, but its not quite Nightmare Before Christmas. Although I disagree about it not being as good as TNBC, I'm glad you watched and enjoyed it!

[Thunderpants1]

I dont think anything could quite match up to Nightmare Before Christmas, quite frankly. I liked the story a bit more; it was more an adventure than it was a love story. I also liked Oogie Boogie as a villain better than Lord Whatshisface. He just seemed more evil, more devious, and seeing his demise was so much more satisfying.

[Denden666Piek]

Mr. Oogie Boogie had a cool song, but he was no match for the evil Lord Barkis!

[Lynx-0-]

I finally saw it. Its assuredly a good movie, but its not quite Nightmare Before Christmas.

Awesome job seeing the film Thunderpants, its about time a few others knew wheat Denden and I were talking about.
Here's my biggest issue with people comparing it to Nightmare: you can't do it. I own and love both films, they're both definitive titles in stop-motion animation (Corpse being the pinnacle of the medium.) Nightmare is a musical, a whimsical fun parade of just pure madness. It's extremely light hearted, as is all around absurd with it's content. Corpse is quite dark, focuses more on telling a story, not singing songs (compliments the dark atmosphere) and builds characters through actions and dialogue. They are both so unique, but so totally different. Now, that siad, one can have a preference of which they like better, but to put them side by side, compare and pick, it doesn't really work.

Corpse Bride is a work of art. The lighting, dialogue, cinematography (especially transitions), and art direction are some of the finest examples on film. I've been watching the film for artistic details, and found great things. Transitions, for example, when Victor meets Emily in the woods, and she kisses him on the bridge, he wakes up to seeing the skull, which fades out into Emily and the gone with the wind skeleton staring at them. If you look close, the skeleton face is still there even after the 2D image has dispersed. The two characters create the eyes, his pipe and a beer tap make the nose holes, and bottles compose the teeth. I could never think to set sometihng up like that. The lighting I love all throughout. If you looks closely, you can see the the highlights are blown out, causing a "bloom" effect as it's known in gaming. Man, it's all so good.

[Thunderpants1]

It did make me decide that Burton would be the perfect director for the BG&E movie.
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">Oh noes! I think I may have started another rumor!</span>

[Lynx-0-]

Burton doing BGE the movie. Could be sweet. He would definatly do the Domz justice. what if the film was stop-motion? That would definatly rock.

[Thunderpants1]

I was thinking more traditional animation, or live action with a mountain of CGI, but I guess it would work.

[Denden666Piek]

Burton doing BG&E: The Movie? Man, that's possibly one of my biggest dreams, and it has been for a long time now. Can you possibly imagine a better director? Besides Peter Jackson, I think he's qualified too to do it. Burton would change a lot, I think. He changed a few things in the Batman-movies too, if he didn't like it.

[Lynx-0-]

Burton would definatly apply his own style to a BGE film. I would love it, Denden would love it, and most everyone else probably wouln't like it very much. I would love to see that happen, but it's so far from reality one must squint to see the dream of it.

Peter Jackson on the other hand, I don't think I'd like him doing a BGE movie. Chances are the movie would end up extremely long and be a bit over done. Kong was great, but it's length was a bit too long I felt.

Corpse Bride on the other hand, could have used more length. I watched it with my family today, and it's yet better and better every time I watch it

[Denden666Piek]

King Kong was a perfect lenth for me, it was quantity with the same amount of quality, but I do realize I stand alone in this. But still, I think Jackson would nail BG&E. Tim Burton would too, but again he'll do it in a style of which BG&E-fans would think "WTF?", and Burton-fans would think "What the hell is BG&E? Not interested!" In other words, small audience. But a BG&E movie would have a small audience in any case so it doesn't really matter that much. Burton is my personal first choice, then.

Corpse Bride is also the right lenth in my opinion. You can watch it anytime, even if you're somewhat in a hurry and you still want to watch a movie: watch Corpse Bride!

[Lynx-0-]

Corpse Bride is also the right lenth in my opinion. You can watch it anytime, even if you're somewhat in a hurry and you still want to watch a movie: watch Corpse Bride!

And it's a fun view each time! I totally agree with you on this. It's a great film to throw up on the second monitor while I do homework late at night, or just catch a quick bit before class. Or, play with the music only track, and minize it, and just listen to it as I do stuff. Can't get enough.