Dark Shadows, based on the gothic soap opera of the same name that originally aired weekdays on ABC from 1966 –1971, is the story of Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), a man cursed to live as a vampire, and imprisoned in a box for two centuries, who awakens in 1972.

Directed by Tim Burton, the feel of the movie is familiar to anyone who has seen Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or Sweeney Todd. And, though perhaps not as masterful as those earlier movies, Dark Shadows is an interesting, and hilarious, tale of a man (or monster) out of time.

Johnny Depp had a childhood obsession with the series, and thought of Barnabas Collins as his dream role, so when he heard rumors of a Dark Shadows remake on the horizon, he convinced his good friend and colleague Tim Burton to direct. Made for $150 million, it would go on to gross over $238 million.

Dark Shadows also stars Michele Pfeifer as Elizabeth Collins, matriarch of the Collins family. This is her first time working with Tim Burton since 1992’s Batman Returns. In a Collider.com interview, Burton said, “It was a real joy to get a call from Michelle and find out that she was a closet Dark Shadows fan [...] It was great.  Michelle and Johnny and I, we were the only ones of the cast that knew Dark Shadows.”

Eva Green (Casino Royale, Kingdom of Heaven) is Angelique Bouchard, the witch that curses Barnabas with vampirism, and locks him in a metal coffin. Two Centuries later, Angelique has ruined the Collins family, and taken over their fishing business.

The Collins family in the 20^th century consists of Elizabeth’s brother, Roger (Johnny Lee Miller); Elizabeth’s daughter Carolyn (Chloe Grace Moretz) the rebellious teenager with a secret; Roger’s son David (Gulliver McGrath) who sees ghosts, mostly his mother; and their caretaker, Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley). At the start of the movie Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote) joins the Collins family as David’s governess (private tutor).

Dark Shadows perfectly captures the soap opera vibe, without making it too corny, and maintains a dark humor which really carries the film. The film was all around enjoyable, and definitely worth the watch… But, only Burton collectors should bother buying this one. My suggestion: rent it and enjoy it on the weekend.

I look forward to seeing Frankenweenie, Tim Burton’s next project about a boy who brings his dog back from the dead, which just came out in theaters October 5^th to mostly positive reviews.