I tried watching The Nightmare Before Christmas on two separate occasions and fell asleep both times. I’m going to partially blame it on the fact that I was tired, but this movie really isn’t that great. The music was a lot of fun and the whole idea was, too. But I am starting to believe that Tim Burton is a conformist like everyone else in Hollywood. He didn't direct this movie or Corpse Bride but he did write the stories. He tries to be so different, so strange, so edgy with his production design and style (“he’s the next Martin Scorsese�) but lets face it, the stories his movies tell really are about maintaining the status quo. This movie is a striking example. Halloween can’t take over Christmas, sure I get that. Most people wouldn’t want to get snakes and zombie toys for Christmas. But Jack meant well and was quite cheerful about it. Doesn’t that count for something? And why not show some kids liking their scary Christmas presents? I’m sure there are some kids who would have gotten a kick out of getting a shrunken dismembered head. Wouldn’t that have been kind of funny to see? Whatever happened to the guy who did Beetlejuice? That had a great story. Now everybody has to behave as they are expected to and everything has to be as it should be. It’s sad really. Incidentally, I think I would have been initially shocked at getting a shrunken dismembered head, but I know I would have been curious later.
P.S. I still haven’t forgiven him for Batman Returns or Planet of the Apes. Those movies were awful. He almost redeemed himself with Charlie and the Chocolate factory, but not quite. He has one chance left with Sleepy Hollow. I hope it isn’t so blah.
at March 11, 2006 11:16 PM