tim burton-overrated! [Archive] - Movie Fan Central Discussion Forums

adamjohnson

07-02-2008, 06:37 PM

So I hate director tim burton,that pos that made nightmare before christmas, corpse bride, charlie and the chocolate factory,and sleepy hollow.I seem to be the only person who does though,I find each of his films unfunny,not clever,and all around stupid.So does anyone agree with me?

With the exception of Sleepy Hollow, I dont care for those films either.

I wont say he's overrated, but I WILL say his recent efforts have lost a step.

But, Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Ed Wood, Big Fish and Sleepy Hollow are all on my top 100 list.

LordSimen

07-02-2008, 07:48 PM

Overrated? Nah. The guy's a genius as far as I can see it. Beetle juice, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Batman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Mars Attacks! are all good films.

countchocula

07-02-2008, 07:54 PM

Le_Big_Mac

07-02-2008, 08:01 PM

A lot of his recent stuff has been crap, but he's made some good movies, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas (yes, not technically his film) being actually great. Quirkiness in movies can really be unbearable, but Burton handles it perfectly. I think a lot of hatred for Burton stems from how all of his movies are immediate cultural phenomena among the emo, Hot Topic clique, except for Ed Wood (go figure). But it's not Burton's fault that his movies become associated with teenagers who have a fad-driven fake obsession with the macabre.

Sigur509

07-02-2008, 08:33 PM

I need to buy Sleepy Hollow again so I can watch it again. LOVED that movie.

Even though I have not LOVED a Burton film since Big Fish, he has made some truly magical and amazing films. Edward, TNBC, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, and Beetlejuice are some of my all time favorites.

echo_bravo

07-02-2008, 08:57 PM

I love most of his stuff (Batman '89, Beetlejuice, Ed Wood, Scissorhands) but I will agree he is slipping as of now.

His last few films like Charlie and the Choc Factory and Planet of the Apes were AWFUL. Sweeney Todd was okay though.

He needs another hit to get some his credibility back.

Batman '89 8/10
Beetlejuice 8/10
Ed Wood 8/10
Scissorhands 9/10
Big Fish 7/10
Planet of the Apes 5/10
Charlie and the Choc... 3/10
Sweeney Todd 6/10

Scarfather

07-02-2008, 09:46 PM

He's either really good or abhorrent.

Ed Wood, Big Fish, and Sweeney Todd are all really good movies. The rest are some of the worst films I've ever seen.

He's generally a good director, so it really all depends on the script.

tbone

07-02-2008, 11:19 PM

I dig his style and I buy into his weirdness -- though he certainly has some clunkers (Planet of Apes) but his movies are mostly enjoyable and some are great

FLAME_ON

07-03-2008, 01:34 AM

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure is awesome if you're a guy with a horribly immature sense of humor. Which I am.

Pee-Wee: "I DON'T MAKE MONKEYS... I JUST TRAIN 'EM!"
It gets me everytime.

Badbird

07-03-2008, 01:37 AM

At last. Someone who feels the way I feel.

I haven't liked anything he's done since Batman Returns (except for the Planet of the Apes remake, which was his most un-Burton film).

He just makes the same thing over and over. Pale, quirky characters? Check. Over the top gothic landscape that's obviously a miniature? Check. Tired, repetitive Danny Elfman score? Check.

I fucking hated Sleepy Hollow with a passion. Fuck that movie.

bigred760

07-03-2008, 06:44 AM

He's not my favorite director by far, but he has made several fun and cool movies: Beetle Juice, Batman and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He knows what he wants to do with the story and his characters.

huBelial

07-03-2008, 10:18 AM

How can you say that??? He did Big Fish!!!!!!!!!!

crodger

07-03-2008, 12:37 PM

Badbird made some good points - his style is indivualistic. I suppose you have to be into his style. I mean, if you look at most of his flicks they all share that gothic/creepy feel - Scissorhands, Batman, Sweeney, Big Fish to an extent, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory even, Returns, Beetlejuice. Personally, I love Ed Wood, Scissorhands, and I dug Big Fish, Sweeney and Sleepy Hollow. I haven't seen Mars Attacks for some time but that gets some lovin on these boards as well. I can understand the OPers point of view though.

In terms of his animated stuff - I haven't seen Nightmare and Corpse Bride bored me to tears.

Reigh Kaufman

07-03-2008, 03:30 PM

Tim Burton is one of the world's greatest living production designers, but a pretty mediocre director; and, unfortunately for him, 'Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari' was released in 1920 and is perfect the way it is. He reminds me of The Glass Man in 'Amelie' who continues to repaint Renoir's 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' every year...but to what end since you cannot improve a masterpiece? He needs to make more films like 'Ed Wood' and less films like Tim Burton.

Brendan M.

07-03-2008, 07:46 PM

I think he's pretty overrated too. I grew up on most his movies as a child though, but of course while not knowing who he was. He has a distinct visual style which is good, but I just don't think he's been maturing lately as a filmmaker. Everyone expects this goth stuff from him and that's what he delivers. He would be a much more exciting and unique director if he did something new with every film rather than dress Johnny Depp up to look creepy in every single one. Do stuff that people won't expect from you.

I haven't seen Sweeny Todd yet (but I did see the play) so I can't really comment on that film, but I don't like the look of the characters from what I've seen. I do really like Big Fish though. I think that's his best work.

Jon Lyrik

07-03-2008, 11:34 PM

Tim Burton is a very talented man, but he needs to try something new. That, and his stupid fucking fan base.

I suggest he makes Ed Wood 2. Depp is the perfect age to play his descent in alcoholism and monster nudie flicks.

X-Nightcrawler

07-04-2008, 12:03 AM

I think Burton is a great director but he really needs to change his fucking game. With the exception of a couple of movies, he always does the exact same fucking aesthetics. Luckily, the only TERRIBLE movie he's made is plothole heaven "The Corpse Bride". I very much disliked "Sweeny Todd" and a lot of the more children's movies I just skipped (I don't like "A Nightmare Before Christmas").

And yeah, his fanbase is embarassing.

g1ng3rsnap9ed

07-04-2008, 10:11 AM

QUOTE=countchocula;2795213]I find the cult success of Nightmare Before Christmas to be nauseating. I find all of the merchandise to be Satanic, as it only appeals to teenagers who think that wearing skull-smattered t-shirts makes them badass. That being said, I love most of Burton's filmography.[/QUOTE]

A lot of his recent stuff has been crap, but he's made some good movies, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas (yes, not technically his film) being actually great. Quirkiness in movies can really be unbearable, but Burton handles it perfectly. I think a lot of hatred for Burton stems from how all of his movies are immediate cultural phenomena among the emo, Hot Topic clique, except for Ed Wood (go figure). But it's not Burton's fault that his movies become associated with teenagers who have a fad-driven fake obsession with the macabre.

I agree that that is probably the worst part of all burton's films is the fact that those skanky,fake Hot Topic kids immediately begin coating themselves with them soon as they hit the shelves...and also,why do ALL of his characters either involve being claymated (excusable seeing how a few of his films are claymated)or deathly pale?

g1ng3rsnap9ed

07-04-2008, 10:12 AM

:confused:I find the cult success of Nightmare Before Christmas to be nauseating. I find all of the merchandise to be Satanic, as it only appeals to teenagers who think that wearing skull-smattered t-shirts makes them badass. That being said, I love most of Burton's filmography.

A lot of his recent stuff has been crap, but he's made some good movies, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas (yes, not technically his film) being actually great. Quirkiness in movies can really be unbearable, but Burton handles it perfectly. I think a lot of hatred for Burton stems from how all of his movies are immediate cultural phenomena among the emo, Hot Topic clique, except for Ed Wood (go figure). But it's not Burton's fault that his movies become associated with teenagers who have a fad-driven fake obsession with the macabre.

I agree that that is probably the worst part of all burton's films is the fact that those skanky,fake Hot Topic kids immediately begin coating themselves with them soon as they hit the shelves...and also,why do ALL of his characters either involve being claymated (excusable seeing how a few of his films are claymated)or deathly pale?

EDIT:WOOOW!How did this get double posted!!?

HedwigX

07-04-2008, 10:22 AM

I find the cult success of Nightmare Before Christmas to be nauseating. I find all of the merchandise to be Satanic, as it only appeals to teenagers who think that wearing skull-smattered t-shirts makes them badass. That being said, I love most of Burton's filmography.

I agree with everything you said. I do think that Nightmare Before Christmas is extremely overrated, but I liked Corpse Bride. I love Sweeney Todd, Big Fish and Sleepy Hollow too, and I think his only real misfire was the Planet of the Apes remake. I do need to get round to seeing Ed Wood.

But as good a director as he is, all the emos aping him are abhorrent.

dellamorte dellamore

07-04-2008, 11:29 AM

Yeah , he's a talentless hack :confused:

jaw2929

07-04-2008, 03:05 PM

With the exception of possibly Sleepy Hollow, I can't fucking STAND the pairing of Burton & Depp. Boring boring boring. Same old fucking horse-shit over and over again IMO. Fucking. Garbage.

APzombie

07-04-2008, 03:33 PM

I love Burton but he is becoming exceedingly predictable. When they announced the cast for Sweeney Todd i wasn't shocked at all, and the picture i had of the film ended up being exactly what Burton produced.

boring.

mrsilkunderwear

07-05-2008, 08:21 PM

He is good but not great. I agree with people who said his style is getting repetitive and that change is needed. But I love some of his early work, with Big Fish being my favorite of this movies. I havent Watched ED WOOD :(

EZM22

07-05-2008, 08:50 PM

One of my favorite directors... Burton has a very unique style that's all his own, and very few current directors are like that... you can at least say that the guy sticks to what he knows, his movies almost always have great atmosphere.

Though he's made some subpar films - Planet of the Apes, while sporadically fun, just seems like a paycheck job, I think the 89 Batman has aged very poorly (sure, Nicholson is fun, but the film is supposed to be about the hero, not the villain; he chews the scenery away from everyone else, and I won't even mention the damn Prince soundtrack), and Corpse Bride got by mostly on its visuals; but overall, I think he's a damn good director. Ed Wood is a friggin' masterpiece.

I do agree that the guy could try to stretch a little bit... not change his style, but try working with other actors other than Johnny Depp, and at the same time don't cast your current girlfriend in all of your films.

Whatever happened to that Ripley's Believe it or Not project with Jim Carrey? That sounded interesting...

axel2k8

07-05-2008, 09:03 PM

I never much cared for his Batman or Edward Scissorhands, but I've enjoyed plenty of his stuff anyway. Sleepy Hollow was on last night and I can't say how many times I've watched that one. Batman Returns and Sweeney Todd were pretty good, and Nightmare Before Christmas surprised me.

Lucky Denver

07-07-2008, 02:37 PM

I don't think he is a bad director but I do agree he needs to change it up and try something new.

I like Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow and Batman.

Sweeney Todd bored me to death. I nearly fell asleep in the theater.

I just wish he would change it up.

Jon Lyrik

07-09-2008, 10:47 AM

What's with the Prince hatred here? :confused:

g1ng3rsnap9ed

07-09-2008, 11:30 AM

What's with the Prince hatred here? :confused:

I know,doesnt anyone remember that he's the genius behind Pussy Control!?

shoe1985

07-11-2008, 09:59 AM

I find that Burton is either hit or miss. He has a dark style that you will either love or hate. I enjoy many of his movies, but then others I am left scratching my head about.

I loved his Batman, Sleepy Hollow. I didn't really like Willy Wonka that much. I was hoping for so much more from it because the original was awesome.

Jig Saw 123

07-11-2008, 11:01 AM

LordSimen

07-11-2008, 11:10 AM

I wouldn't say he's overrated. Like a few of said before you either hate or love some of his films. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic, Batman was cheesy/good, Sleepy Hollow good, Charlie was just weird, and Sweeney Todd was classic. Tim Burton should just do more original things like Edward Scissorhands because he has such a vase imagination. I would like to see him make a Frankenstein film with Johnny Depp as Doctor Frankenstein.

Holy shit. You know what, any of those old Universal horror films would be perfect for Burton. Frankenstein especially. He SHOULD do one of those movies. That'd be awesome. Maybe if Wolf Man convinces Universal to do it we'll end up seeing something like that.

Monotreme

07-11-2008, 11:14 AM

Blasphemy!

Tim Burton is my all-time favourite director, and it's not just because I identify with his artistic choices. He's one of the only contemporary directors to have his own adjective - Burtonesque - and rightfully so. It's because his style is so incredibly unique, there's just no other way to describe it. And not only unique, but also vivid, gorgeous, sharply visual, whether it's the dark, brooding, craggy, twisted blackness of Gotham City, Halloween Town, and Sleepy Hollow - or the equally creepy, circus-like, colourfully twisted, spiraly splashes of Christmas Town or Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

And if that's not enough, his films are also just really, really great - well-made, entertaining, fun, enjoyable, well-cast, well-scored, well-everything really!

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure: 7/10.
Beetlejuice: 8/10.
Batman: 8/10.
Edward Scissorhands: 9/10.
Batman Returns: 8/10.
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 9/10.
Ed Wood: 9/10.
Mars Attacks!: 7/10.
Sleepy Hollow: 8/10.
Planet of the Apes: 6/10.
Big Fish: 9/10.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 8/10.
Corpse Bride: 8/10.
Sweeney Todd: 9/10.

dellamorte dellamore

07-11-2008, 11:39 AM

You just about summed up how i feel about him Mono , there's not much more i can add , except that i would rate POTA , Batman and Batman Returns , Sleepy Hollow , and Corpse Bride slightly higher . To me SH is still the best telling of the legend of Sleepy Hollow and it looks , to this day fantastic .

I seriously don't think Burton has ever made a bad film , every single one of them has it's own unique style , and the wondrously twisted , surrealistic worlds , that exist just outside of reality , are a sight to behold . I seriously don't understand why people think his visual style is redundant . Take a look at Sleepy Hollow as opposed to Pee Wee , they couldn't be anymore different . Or what about comparing Beetlejuice with Ed Wood , each film he creates is totally unique .

I would even say he created an entirely unique world with BR as opposed to Batman . It was way more whimisical and " cold " , but it was a departure from the first film .

Then look at some thing like POTA , then check out CATCF , they couldn't be any different in tone , look , style , visuals .

I don't get it , Burton has created at least 3 films that can be considered classics ( at least but i would say there's more ) , he never fails to deliver something amazing and intriguing , he's a visual poet and one of the best directors to ever live . This is a guy who created a cinematic Batman that you could take seriously , and singlehandedly created the template for future comic book hero films , yes even the current Bat films ( they just toned down the whimsy and the villains but they aren't much different ) . For that alone the guy is not only a legend but a pioneer .

Well , i would give up my right testicle to have even an 1/8th of this guys talent and cinematic vision .

Guess i did have more to say , now i'm done .

SpoonMan999

07-11-2008, 11:39 AM

I dunno, I love a lot of his films but Sweeney Todd was meh, Planet of the Apes was crap, and Corpse Bride was god awful. However, Edward Scissorhands so original and unique and realy reaches me on a personal level, after all it was written about his experiences in my home town, and is just a great film. He should definately do more original work like that as he's proven to be very visual and a compelling story teller.

Also, Tim Burton doing Frankenstein would be pretty bad ass.

joeydeetz

07-12-2008, 10:02 AM

Well I think Tim Burton is friggin awesome. Most people have already summed up how I feel about his films.
Sweeney Todd, Big Fish, TNBC, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Batman/Returns are all up there on my top films. I can't wait to see his upcoming stuff, I'm sure it will be awesome

Monotreme

07-13-2008, 06:08 AM

Actually, Burton has already done a pseudo-Frankenstein movie. It's a 20-odd-minute short called "Frankenweenie", about a young boy who resurrects his dog with the power of lightning, turning him into a frankenstein-dog who is adorable but creeps out all the neighbours until the climax in the minniature windmill of a mini-golf course. Very Burtonesque, with the themes of alienation in suburbia, and being a misunderstood outcast, etc. In fact, talk is that after his Alice in Wonderland project, Burton will be directing an animated feature-length version of Frankenweenie (the original short is live action). So, there's your Burton-directed Frankenstein movie!