Dark Shadows - C

Rated PG-13, 113 minutes

Slow, stale "Dark Shadows" lacks bite

"Dark Shadows" is the entertaining but middling and uneven dark new comedy film from Johnny Depp and Tim Burton based on the early 1970s gothic TV soap opera of the same name. In 18th century New England, Barnabas Collins (Depp) is a wealthy playboy in Collinsport, Maine and is the master of Collinwood Manor. He breaks the heart of a witch, Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), who turns him into a vampire and buries him alive. In 1972, Barnabas is accidentally freed from his coffin and returns to find his once-magnificent mansion in ruin. The manor is currently occupied by Barnabas' dysfunctional descendants (Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Moretz, Jackie Earle Haley and Helena Bonham Carter), all of whom are hiding dark and horrifying secrets. With impressive costumes, sets and production design, "Dark Shadows" is a fun jaunt on the dark, often bizarre side, though it's clear Depp and Burton seem to be going through the paces, as if they've done this before (and they have, much better than this). Fans of the TV series may not be overly pleased with this new, big-budget incarnation from drama to comedy (and watch for cameos from several original cast members, including the late Jonathan Frid, who played the Depp role on TV and just passed away about a month ago). The script for "Dark Shadows" is the film's chief flaw; these interesting characters are assembled with little to do and the thin plot strums along predictably. Still, Depp seems to be having fun and Pfeiffer in particular is still lovely after all these years. "Dark Shadows" has a few enjoyable moments, but most of it lacks bite considering the cast and director.