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The Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Believability Scale
Edward Scissorhands screens tonight at Symphony Space
Don’t get us started on Helena, either… (Photo: universomovie. via Flickr)
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When Tim Burton and Johnny Depp first worked together in 1990 on Edward Scissorhands, screening tonight at 5 p.m. at Symphony Space, it seemed like a match made in Heaven. Both were quirky and weird, in a way not usually seen in Hollywood films, and they seemed to bring out the best in one another.
Two decades later, they’re still working together, more consistently than ever before actually, but the results haven’t been the same. In fact, they’ve been quite bad. Characters like Edward weren’t real, obviously, but Depp and Burton made them seem it with an interesting and heartbreaking story. Contrast Edward with Burton’s Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, who had an unnecessary backstory and annoying personality. It’s like two completely different people crafted the character.
Below is the Burton/Depp Believability Scale, from most believable to least.
Believable
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Ed Wood (1994)
Corpse Bride (2005)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
(This is where things plunge)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Not At All