It’s the 20th anniversary of Corpse Bride, and in honor of this occasion, we have compiled five reasons to watch this iconic movie this Halloween.
Firstly, the visuals are a standout feature of the film. Its unique style of stop motion is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. Director Tim Burton perfectly utilizes this medium of animation to enhance the film’s visuals. The tangible objects being used, such as the meticulously crafted puppets and real fabrics, were photographed, moved, and played in a sequence that adds depth and a natural charm from its subtle imperfections that make it seem like the characters are really alive. Aside from that, the visuals involved in the worldbuilding set this film apart from other iconic stop motion films. Burton captures the story’s aesthetic through visually contrasting the dull, colorless living world with a bright, vibrant underworld. These purposeful colors and tones in the setting establish a haunting and eerie atmosphere where gothic elegance meets whimsical decay.
Secondly, the voice cast is an absolute dream. With Johnny Depp as the awkward, endearing Victor, Helena Bonham Carter as the tragic, idealistic Emily, and Emily Watson as the kind, gentle, Victoria. You may recognize Depp from his iconic role as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, or his other roles in Edward Scissorhands, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His ability to play any character, as well as his experience in being part of spooky projects, made him a great pick for the movie. Carter is another highly beloved actress; she played Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter movies. She has also been in some films alongside Depp, most notably in Sweeney Todd and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The chemistry between the two radiates through their dialogue and brings their characters’ relationship to life. Even the voices of the lesser known cast members feel like it intrinsically belongs to each character. These skillful voice actors elevate the overall viewing experience.
Another major selling point of the movie is its inclusion of a love triangle, but with a twist. We’ve all seen examples of the classic love triangle in popular media: some where the third member mainly serves as a foil for the main couple like in Titanic, and some where both love interests are developed, and the protagonist must “choose” one. This trope is found in book and movie series’ like Twilight and in the popular TV-series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Instead of there being a less developed character in a love triangle who threatens the main couple, the film’s titular character is in that role instead. This unconventional take on the clichéd love triangle makes the film all the more worth seeing.
The next reason this movie should be on your watchlist this fall is the deeply human, well developed characters. Burton does not stick to traditional black and white views of characters, and refuses to paint anyone in the film as purely good or evil. For example, Victoria, Victor’s fiancé is never portrayed in a bad light simply because she is Emily’s foil or the competitor for Victor’s love. Instead of painting her as the “other woman”, she is given distinguishable characteristics, like her resourcefulness in times of need. Despite not being raised in a loving household, she maintains a hopeful spirit and dreams of marrying for love. Just as Burton shows the virtues of Victoria, he doesn’t shy away from displaying Emily’s flaws. Emily is given clear strengths and weaknesses; she is naive, sensitive, prone to jealousy, and yearns for love. Victor is shown to be meek and anxious, but generally kind and good-natured. He displays more bravery as the story goes on. These characters remind viewers that the afterlife and living world share the same gray areas, and that nobody, not even the heroes of the story, are ever perfect.
Finally, Corpse Bride is a gold mine for Halloween inspiration. The characters’ features are sharp and exaggerated with sunken eyes, expressive angular eyebrows, and sharp noses. They are dressed in detailed, gothic Victorian attire with sweeping wedding gowns, suits, and rigid, collared dresses. Each outfit tells a story and is an extension of the character, with Emily’s tattered wedding dress representing her tragic yearning for love, and Victoria’s more restrictive clothing being a reflection of her cold upbringing. The potential to play around with makeup to achieve the likeness of the characters makes this film perfect for Halloween costumes, which is shown by Emily being a popular choice even 20 years later.
All in all, Corpse Bride is a start-to-finish feast for the eyes with iconic voice actors, a twist on the classic love triangle, complex and multilayered characters, and a massive source of inspiration for all things Halloween. So, as it’s that time of year, why not give Corpse Bride a watch?
