I have never been so disappointed and angered by a movie in my life! Dark Shadows was one of the greatest TV shows/soap operas ever made, and this movie did nothing to honor its legacy at all. It was a giant piece of smelly crap! I used to run home from school every day to watch the original Dark Shadows on television at 4 p.m., and it was a thrill for me and every other fan who adored the series and the cast. All of the fans were heartbroken when the series ended. In later years, we were able to buy the series on DVD (the only soap opera ever made available to purchase). We were able to buy the Dark Shadows movies, and an attempt to revive the series in 1991 with actor Ben Cross failed, but at least it was a genuine attempt to stay as true as possible to the original series.The problem is that you simply can't remake something as classic, unique and ground-breaking as the original Dark Shadows. In fact, most movies that try to retell classic TV shows fail, with just a couple of exceptions.This movie was so boring and so bad that it probably made Dan Curtis roll over in his grave. For those who don't know, Dan was the creator of the original Dark Shadows. Johnny Depp is a fine actor, but he's no Jonathan Frid. I respect his attempt, but it fell way short.The original series was not a comedy and the lame attempts at comedy were an insult to a classic series that was anything but comedic. The fact that four of the original cast members made a brief cameo in this movie simply proves that they had respect for Tim Burton by accepting his invitation to appear, but most likely they were paid handsomely to appear as well. Who can blame them? Also, I want to say that I have enjoyed many of Burton's other movies. He just should have passed on this one.I only know that I did not like this film at all. I'm sorry I watched it because it took me 6 years to break down and do so, and I got exactly what I thought I'd get. A horrible experience. Just leave the original Dark Shadows alone! It will live on and on and on without any help.

I wanted to like this film so much but it suffers from so much clutter. The only character that gets enough screen time is Barnabus and while the story is supposed to focus on some kind of love developing between he and Victoria she gets very little developmental. Many characters are wasted - such as Roger and Dr. Hoffman - and whether intentional or not given the soap opera background the acting was far too over the top by actors that are supposed to be amazing, ie Depp and Pfeiffer. It's sad when the children are the only ones who turn out a good performance though I must say Eva Green didn't disappoint. It's just too bad that her decent performance is muddled with ridiculous attempts at being comedic such as the sex scene with Barnabus. Going along with that it seems as if Burton only made Barnabus into a killing and screwing machine (what was the purpose of the bj the doc gave him again?) whose intent to see his family thrive and his curser squirm was just an afterthought rather than a driving force. Everything in this film felt so misplaced and rushed. The comedic timing was awful. The only reason I'm not dropping a point off my rating is because the end fight was actually entertaining (though we had to suffer to get to it) and the technical aspects were decent. After having Victoria willing to kill herself for the vampire we never actually saw her fall in love with (rush, rush, rush) and then taken over by the ghost of Barnabus' old love I wanted to just drop the rating even lower for the sheer stupidity, but I'm being fair here. If only this film were more fair to its audience.

An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection. For years Tim Burton has been one of my favorite Movie Directors and how couldn't he be? The man made Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) he is a serious mastermind. But the last couple of years he has a tough time with his fans and his films quite fail in general the same goes for star Johnny Depp. Now Dark Shadows (2012) personally i found it a pretty good dark/Gothic comedy about a Vampire that was cursed to live forever and his only love was taken away from him. Plus there's nothing hotter than a blonde Eva Green and once again she proves of how great of an actress she really is, Depp is also great as Barnabas Collins he is funny, smart and scary when he wants to be and he won't let anyone hurt the family's name. Michelle Pfeiffer is also great as usual and it's good to see her in a Burton movie again, Chloë Grace Moretz plays the angry teen that is mad with the World and she of course does a pretty cool job. And for once again it wouldn't be a Tim Burton movie without Helena Bonham Carter right? There's also great cameos by Alice Cooper and the late Christopher Lee and i really loved the explosion in the Factory with the Red Fire it looked pretty cool. It might not be the cup of tea for some people and i totally get it plus it's comedy might not be for some but it's definitely a good film plus there's a great reference to Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and even Batman Returns (1992). If you like goth, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp you might actually enjoy this film besides it's definitely better than Big Eyes!!

I'm finally getting around to review this one. The film is a cute tongue-in-cheek comedy horror. I will admit, I do wish they would have made the film a pure horror instead but I did enjoy the comedy in it so I won't complain to much about it.There is a great cast, a Gothic charm, some rather weird scenes that is enjoyable. Story is fine and it's well filmed. But it pales in comparison to the TV show which was a drama and not comical.Yes I wish this film took itself seriously and it was a pure drama (that's why I didn't rate it higher) but the Burton and Depp dark comedies are to much for me to resist so therefore, I'm giving it a rating I think is fair enough.7/10