Tim Burton is one of the biggest names in the genre of mysterious, dream-like, emotionally crafty films. He’s a master of his craft, and he gained an immense reputation for it after the release of Beetlejuice. That was a film that combined every quirky aspect that Burton is known for, the over-the-top acting, the colorful environments, the beautiful set design, the atmospheric soundtracks, and the childish horror. Every single element of his art was present in that film, and yet Tim Burton managed to outdo himself in every shape and form with the 90s classic Christmas story; Edward Scissorhands.
How to Download
You can download the film from a digital store. You can also stream it. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like Tim Burton, check out also his other films, for example, Corpse Bride or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The Movie Review
Edward Scissorhands is a story about isolation, loneliness, and being away from people for too long. Showcases the story of Edward, a young boy who has scissors for fingers. He’s essentially a young, synthetic, and totally lovable version of Freddy Krueger, who lives his life in isolation in a house in the middle of nowhere. Although, after the death of his creator, he is taken in by a loving Avon lady named Peg.
This is where Edward begins to create a life for himself, living with his new custodian family and bonding with them in many different ways, as well as with the community overall. However, things take a turn for the dark when he is blamed for a crime that he did not commit.
Burton is a directorial genius, and it definitely shows when it comes to this film in particular. Every single aspect of this movie is drowning in style, from the beautiful color grading and the monumental set design to some of the best art design we’ve seen in a 90s Christmas film. There is just a sense of atmosphere here that you cannot find in films such as this, it pushes itself to be better than the rest. Not to mention, this film is paced in a way that it never gets boring despite the fact that most of it is structured around slow moments.
It’s not a film that is full of big reveals or any major excitements, and yet you cannot help but feel completely engaged in Edward’s coming of age journey. Of course, the main reason for that is the lead actor Johnny Depp. Depp brings an innate sense of innocence to this character and makes you root for him despite not knowing what his intentions are.
There are also other characters here that add a lot of depth to the film, in particular Winona Ryder’s Kim! Kim is essentially the film’s plot device of showcasing the growth of Edward as a character. However that’s not all she is, Winona Ryder brings a sense of wonderment to this character and makes her one of the highlights of the movie.
The credit for this film being so egregiously beautiful goes to the fantastic cinematography. Not only does Edward Scissorhands have a charm of its own quirky kind, but it also has a distinct look and visual design that is so unafraid to showcase blood and yet remains friendly enough to view. This is what makes this film so fantastic for the eyes, despite having some of the worst camera work in any Tim Burton film. However, when it comes to the camera, the film does look a bit amateurish and feels like it was created by someone who didn’t have a good grasp of camera work.
In terms of the music though, this film checks all marks. The soundtrack is beautiful here, and every single instrument that is played within it adds to the poetry of Edward Scissorhands.
The Verdict
Edward Scissorhands is a film that feels like a risk. This twisted and somewhat dark neo-gothic dramedy is a breath of fresh air compared to many other Christmas films. Yet somehow, it yearns for decent camera work that truly celebrates its gorgeous set design and playful characters.
