The man is certainly visionary. That said, I am just plain tired of the same twisted visual look of his films. From Nightmare Before Christmas to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Corpse Bride and onto Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton's quirky style is becoming a bit boring- a one trick pony. His art used to be surprising but now has become almost cliche. It is unfortunate that his Alice would be predictable before the first images even became accessible! Maybe he should collaborate with someone other than the magnificent Johnny Depp to stretch him- and stretch Johnny as well!
Tim's presence at the Disney parks grabs the crowds but is in danger of being passe as well. The yearly transformation of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion into its Halloween meets Christmas form was once thrilling. Yet, last visit, I found myself sorely missing the attraction in its original Marc Davis and Claude Coats incarnation.
In order to assure his ongoing importance and enduring legacy, it's time for Mr. Tim to return to the drawing boards once again. Bring us something fresh. Bring us something bright, even something cheery. Surprise us and delight us once again.
Go track down a copy of "Big Fish" from your local library or NetFlix. It's a film directed by Burton that doesn't feel like one of his films (at least not the whole way through). Otherwise, I agree with you. This guy needs to take a year off and work on something that's not fodder for kids at the Hot Topic in the mall.
ReplyDeleteI think your a christian and have a personal distaste for Tim's more darker art forms. I remember the christian community protesting Nightmare when it came out - messing with their little holiday. Almost predictable view of Tim coming from yourself. Yes take the Nightmare Holiday layover out and I'm sure it would only be a tiny small protest- HA HA. Just like most all of Tim's films will not only pass the 100 million mark but will be one of Disney's biggest ever of all time. But lets see if Alice can out do the past Frog Princess, Old Dogs, When in Rome, G-Force - I think these are the latest Disney films. I will post back after two weekends and apologize if Alice doesn't hit 100 million in less than two weekends. I believe the majority of the public are like me and cannot get enough of Tim Burton - especially when you throw in Depp an for extra bonus!
ReplyDeleteI'm never "Tired of Tim"! No one does things the way he can. Most critics of artists I think are jaded, embittered people, who think they are being "avant-garde" by flippantly trashing anyone’s creative efforts. Unlike artists anyone can bitch. It doesn’t take any talent.
ReplyDeleteI'm never "Tired of Tim"! No one does things the way he can. Most critics of artists I think are jaded, embittered people, who think they are being "avant-garde" by flippantly trashing anyone’s creative efforts. Unlike artists anyone can bitch. It doesn’t take any talent.
ReplyDeleteJust to answer of few of these together- yes, I am a Christian but that said, I love Nightmare Before Christmas. I think Tim Burton is starting to repeat himself. That was my point. Please don't read into what I wrote more than what I said.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you all the way Mark. I am so tired of Tim's stuff. Perhaps I would be more forgiving if he were simply the Art Director/Production designer, though that would still mean everyone in the film would have dark circles around their eyes, pale faces, and striped clothing. Yes, I am tired of those things, however, as an artist, he's entitled to do what he wants and plenty of people certainly enjoy that visual style. But I think when he's director as well, his look and style just overpowers eveyrhting else in the movie. His styling of Sweeney Todd was totally distracting- the Burtonesque London portrayed had no believability; what could have been an incredibly deep heart wrenching tale of loss and revenge was turned into Helena and Johnny dancing in Burton's cross hatched line drawing world. His ending for Planet of the Apes made absolutely no sense. Having said all that, they guy is an artist, and is extremely lucky that he gets to explore and make his art with the budgets and resources that are at his disposal. As an artist, he should be free to fail just like anyone else. But I do agree that the Burton worship that some people engage in does confound me. He's very much a one trick pony.
ReplyDeleteNice to know I'm in good company, Eric! ;)
ReplyDeleteI did however enjoy Big Fish, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, perhaps a few others I'm forgetting. I guess I don't mind his stuff when it's more original, it's when he tackles these remakes or interpretations of other peoples stuff that it bugs me- I don't think any of them have been particularly well done but because they're so "stylish", nobody seems to notice.
ReplyDeleteI too am very tired of the "same old Tim"... I liked it the first few times, but by the time Charlie & The factory came out the whole "style and look" was so familiar that it was boring. Even the music is starting to sound the same as his previous movies, time to start over.
ReplyDeleteI even noticed in Avatar that James Cameron is repeating several of his "Titanic" elements; the music score was virtually identical at some points as were other themes throughout the movie.
I guess if it worked before, the artists are willing to repeat it because its what the public wants. When the ticket sales start slipping for these "repeats" maybe they will decide to give us something all together new.
P.s. When I read your post it didn't even occur to me that your religion had anything to do with your review.
As for being ""avant-garde" by flippantly trashing anyone’s creative efforts" that's a bit of a stretch. No one here is trashing Burton's efforts, its just that we have seen those efforts over and over and we know Burton is capable of much more.
Mark, just go to see Alice in Wonderland, i saw it on a press screening last tuesday, and loved it. Hope you will love it too!
ReplyDeleteWell I said - I would come back and apologize if Alice did not hit 100 million in the US by two weeks. Well looks like I don't have to wait - Wonderland grossed 116 million in only 3 days. Being the biggest opening for a Disney movie in their history. Looks like Tim Burton & Depp combo is still vibrant. Can't wait to see Wonderland come to the Disney parks. It would sure beat anything in the new Fantasy Land makeover. Plus I would like my little girl to look-up to someone like Alice that doesn't need a Prince (man) to complete her.
ReplyDeleteTim said: "I believe the majority of the public are like me and cannot get enough of Tim Burton"
ReplyDeleteI find it so telling that commenter Tim equates good box office with quality, and that he somehow thinks that should sway our personal opinion about the work of someone that both sides here have labeled an artist.