There’s no disputing that Tim Burton is a visionary. However, I do feel that his films have always been hit and miss (especially in the past decade). I wasn’t a fan of Sweeney Todd and I find his predictable casting of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter to be getting especially thin.
So that being said, I have mixed feelings about a new Deadline report that writer/director Tim Burton will be creating a 3-D stop-motion animated feature directly based on the original Addams Family comics by Charles Addams.
Yes, before you shrug me off, I do realize that Tim Burton has the style needed to carry an Addams project. Let’s face it, the guy is twisted and obsessed with stripes (I’m thinking the son Pugsley here…stripes!!!).
However, in effect this is an unnecessary reboot of The Addams Family franchise. Seriously, the 1991 Barry Sonnenfield black comedy featuring the late Raúl Juliá was as close to perfect as I could possibly hope for (even besting the old black and white show from the 60s) . In my mind, Juliá is the definitive Gomez, no questions asked. Plus, Christopher Lloyd was a perfectly creepy and lovable Fester, Anjelica Huston was a delightful Morticia and Christina Ricci cannot be replaced as Wednesday. Pugsley on the other hand can be replaced with any fat kid and I probably wouldn’t notice.
Anyways, since that movie debuted it has all been downhill for the series. The more recent Television show is a disgrace of shamefully weak comedy and acting. So, one can hope that Burton does pay homage to the original work and can give it more then the weak-sauce it has traditionally gotten.
My concern is that he’ll forget to give it heart. In fact, that’s probably the one ingredient causing his films to be hit and miss. There’s just no attachment to his characters anymore. With Burton it’s all about the dark visuals…it’s like he’s the other extreme of George Lucas. Both have eccentric characters…that just fall flat once you get past the film’s trailer or their first appearance (wow, two Jar Jar references in two days…).
I guess I can only be cautiously optimistic and prey this doesn’t derail his upcoming adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter or Frankenweenie remake. I’ll keep you posted as the news develops….and hopefully it won’t be to simply confirm Depp as Gomez and Carter as Morticia.
I’m on to you Tim Burton!
Here’s the classic 1964 Black and White Series Opening:
The 1991 Movie Trailer:
The New Addams Family Tv Show (1999)…God I hate this damn music they use. Conga music is the worst idea ever…ugh.
And for a hint of what Burton might give us…here’s the 1973 cartoon show. Odd eh? (There have been several animated series)
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