Corpse Bride

Yes, I've finally watched this movie: 

Hopscotch!

This isn't the only request I've had to see a film this Spooky Season (hopefully I'll get to them all) but I chose this first. Everyone will be FLABBERGASTED I hadn't viewed this before... not just for it having over 2 million ratings on Letterboxd, but that I dig The Nightmare Before Christmas. Of course, Tim Burton moving on from just producing Christmas to co-directing Bride & including all his muses (Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny Elfman) meant that this was mainly what I was expecting—compliment.

A plot synopsis surely isn't needed; thus, I'll mention that having romance at the forefront was the most obvious change from Christmas. It was easy to feel sympathy for both Victor Van Dort (at the rest of offending some randos on Letterboxd, resembling Timothee Chalamet!) and Victoria Everglot; they were likable while both having awful parents in a monochromatic Victorian England who are forced to be in an arranged marriage. Emily the titular corpse bride is also a character you like. The colorful Land of the Dead is much more appealing, not just because it's literally more colorful. The undead are much livelier than the drab jerks “upstairs.”

As expected from Laika animation, the stop-motion was stunning; also unsurprising was the quality voice cast and catchy songs the audience sometimes hears. Like w/ Christmas, Bride is a ghoulish, macabre delight, featuring mild yet funnily morbid humor. Even the supporting characters were a hoot; my favorite was the maggot who was a homage to Peter Lorre. Thankfully, this charming romantic musical comedy film was a swell recommendation, although it was still something I should have watched many years ago.