Review by Matt Anderson

Featuring eye-popping visuals, a raucous score, and a story that puts most live-action romantic comedies to shame, Corpse Bride offers far too much to take in during one viewing.

Poor Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp). He's the groom-to-be in an arranged marriage to Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson). Victor's such a nervous Nelly, he can't remember his wedding vows. Frantic, Victor goes for a walk, desperately repeating his vows all the while. When Victor pretends to ask for his dear Victoria's hand, the Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter) leaps at the offer.

Loaded with wit and sight gags, the humor is abundant in a very Tim Burton vein. Corpse Bride is a musical-comedy that takes on some genuinely operatic airs. Danny Elfman's score and songs zip along, accompanying dazzling, painstakingly created visuals.

The best part of this tale of death-defying love is just how complicated the situation gets for poor Victor, both in situation and emotion. Three cheers, then, to Burton for showing that emotional heft is not limited to high-priced actors or computer-animated cartoons.

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