Tim Burton fans are in for a real treat this month as not only are Warner Bros. releasing ‘The Tim Burton Collection’ on 30th April, but Burton’s new film, starring longtime collaborator Johnny Depp, ‘Dark Shadows’ is released in cinemas on May 11th, and in honour of both releases we’re taking a look back over Tim’s illustrious career, and exploring the 8 classic Tim Burton films which make up The Tim Burton Collection.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Two of the most original talents in recent decades teamed, up on what was to be their major breakthrough, for this riotously funny movie about Pee-wee Herman; an eccentric man-child (played by Paul Reubens) who embarks on a nationwide adventure in search of his stolen bicycle.
BeetleJuice (1988)
Academy Award® winning BeetleJuice starred Michael Keaton as the titular obnoxious poltergeist, who was conjured up by a couple of nice, young, homebody ghosts (played by Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis) to bedevil the pretentious humans who have moved into their house. Co-starring Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Jones, Beetlejuice is one of Burton’s best loved movies, a cult-classic in every sense, spawned an animated series, and even has a sequel in development; which according to writer Seth Grahame-Smith is not only has Michael Keaton excited, but is “a priority for Warner Bros. and a priority for Tim.”
Batman (1989)
Easily one of Tim Burton’s best known films, the Academy Award® winning blockbuster Batman placed BeetleJuice’s Michael Keaton in the titular role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, was merely the first instalment in Warner Bros.’ infamous Batman film series, was brilliantly realised through Burton’s classic, twisted, and gothic vision, and saw The Dark Knight battling with The Joker (who was played by Jack Nicholson) to protect Gotham City.
Batman Returns (1992)
Once again placing Michael Keaton as The Batman, Batman Returns was the last Batman movie to be directed by Tim Burton (also the last to see Michael Keaton take on the role of The Caped Crusader), and saw Gotham City doubly menaced when the Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) joined forces to both take over the city, and bring down The Bat, in the film which co-starred Christopher Walken, and took Tim’s brilliantly twisted and gothic version even further than the first movie.
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Based on the cult trading card series of the same name Mars Attacks! featured an all-star cast which included Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan and Danny DeVito, and saw the stars taking on mean, green, invaders armed with insta-ray guns and endowed with humongous brains, in this state-of-the-art special effects movie.
Corpse Bride (2005)
Stop-motion animated wonder Corpse Bride is the second stop-motion feature film to be produced by Tim Burton (the first being The Nightmare Before Christmas; another cult classic), and follows the story of Victor Van Dort (voiced by Burton’s long-time collaborator Johnny Depp); who, despite being betrothed to Victoria Everglot, finds himself whisked away to the Land of the Dead, where he finds himself married to Emily (voiced by another Burton regular; Helena Bonham Carter), the corpse bride.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Johnny Depp once again took the lead role in Burton’s 2005 adaptation of the beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; which follows the story of a young boy named Charlie who wins a golden ticket and is taken to explore the wonders of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory.
Sweeney Todd (2007)
Academy Award® winning Sweeney Todd teamed up Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter for the fifth time in an adaption of Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 stage musical of the same name. Telling the story of Benjamin Barker, a 19th century barber who has revenge on his mind and his shaving razor at the ready, Sweeney Todd features the singing talents of both Depp and Bonham Carter, and is another film beautifully realised by Burton’s perfectly fitting gothic vision.
‘The Tim Burton Collection’ is available to buy from Monday April 30th (currently priced at £41.00 on Amazon.co.uk) and to download from iTunes, and his latest movie Dark Shadows will be released in cinemas everywhere on May 11th (and you can see the official trailer here).
