It's tough now, to look back and imagine a time when Tim Burton was a gothic indie darling and Johnny Depp an enigmatic underexposed young actor, but indeed once they were - and Edward Scissorhands is probably the apex of that time in both their careers. Having not seen it for quite a while, a recent one night cinema showing gave me the opportunity to reappraise it as the jaded adult that I am now. Peggy Boggs (Dianne Wiest) decides to visit the grim dilapidated mansion that towers over the American suburban estate where she resides, as part of her Avon cosmetics round. There she discovers Edward (Depp), a creation of the inventor who previously owned the mansion, who passed away before he could provide Edward with the human hands to replace the scissors that make up his current appendages. Though Edward is initially popular in the suburbs, misunderstanding and prejudice soon start to raise their heads, particularly around Peggy's teenage daughter (Winona Ryder). The film really in unmistakably Tim Burton. The decision to use practical sets and models rather than CGI was a good choice, as the film still looks great. Maybe the aging prosthetics on Ryder in the opening and closing wrap around scenes doesn't look that impressive, given what CG can do there - but that's the exception rather than the rule. There's an unreal fantasy aspect to the town and its looming impossibly stylised mountain range that is beautiful and memorable. The costume and hair design is brilliant too. Danny Elfman's score too is another iconic collaboration with Burton, though he chooses a more orchestral and sweeping pieces here, over the "Plinky Plonky" themes he was often providing at the time. The story is a little undercooked, a variation on both "Frankenstein" and "Beauty and the Beast" it could have done with another couple of moments to heighten the believability of the love story, and the way that the town turns on Edward, once he rejects the advances of Kathy Baker's bored housewife. The script though is good and often laugh out loud funny. Alan Arkin steals a lot of the film as Peg's husband, entirely nonplussed about the events going on around him. Vincent Price too, with his glorious cadence is great in his scenes. Sad both in terms of the actual plot and when viewed against the triumvirate of misfires Burton would direct, the lost years of Winona Ryder's career and the eventual overexposure of Depp; "Edward Scissorhands" is imperfect but beautiful. Timeless but evocative of that period in Burton's career. Artificial yet genuine and you should definitely see it.

Continuing my plan to watch every Johnny Depp movie in order, I come to Edward Scissorhands (1990)The movie that started the long-running Tim Burton/Depp collaboration. This movie is not just one of my favourite Depp or Burton movies, it's one of my favourite of the decade. I LOVE it.Tim Burton was one of my new favourite directors when he made this. Thanks to Beetlejuice in 1988 and Batman the year after, I was already a fan when he made this classic. I don't think he put a foot wrong for over a decade. And it was this movie, that made me a fan of Depp.Personally, I think Depp should have been nominated for an Oscar. He is superb. In fact, I think Burton, Dianne Wiest, Danny Elfman's score and the movie itself should have been nominated. As it was, it's sole nomination was for Best Makeup.Winona Ryder (who began dating Depp during filming, and would become engaged) is fine and Conchata Ferrell is an actress I adore and Anthony Michael Hall is perfectly cast as the movies bad boy.I think the movie is so touching and moving, it's a joy. Depp himself stated that he "cried like a baby" when he first read the script. At the time of his casting, Depp was wanting to break out of the teen idol status which his performance in 21 Jump Street had given him. Fox executives were so worried about Edward's image, that they tried to keep pictures of Depp in full costume under wraps until the release of the film. To prepare for his role, Johnny Depp watched the films of silent movie actor Charles Chaplin to get an idea of how to emote without dialogue. This would also come in handy a few movies later. Edward Scissorhands grossed $56 million dollars at the domestic box office to end 1990 as the 20th highest grossing movie of the year.

Edward ScissorhandsIt resembles with Disney cartoon features but the problem in here is that it is a real world and is probably one of the reasons why some of the sequences would be difficult to digest and would raise some questions that should not be. But as I said, Edward Scissorhands being somewhat similar to a Disney feature offers everything i.e. sketchy and shady characters, peculiar world and amusing perspectives. Tim Burton still lacks a better execution as he fails convincing the audience that it is all "real" or even the accept the stills that are projected. But if he fails, Johnny Depp has got his back and not only does he convince them but makes them feel for the character; he is flat out amazing but needs a better supporting cast. Edward Scissorhands scores majestically in pouring out emotions on screen through stellar performances and brilliant writing but unfortunately could not deliver the perfect execution and editing that it deserved.

From one humble Christian's perspective...Language level: 3 out of 5 At least one utterance of high-level profanity. Most of the movie seems fairly clean, except for a couple of words.Sexual level: 2 out of 5 Some sexual innuendo throughout. One woman removes her clothes seductively and tries to tempt.Violence level: 2 out of 5 Edward is constantly snipping things accidentally. There is a fight that leads to death.Personal Thoughts: Not as scary as one might think. It's more of a creepy comical movie than it is actually scary.