Dark Shadows Review - 2.5 Stars

Johnny Depp reunites with quirky director Tim Burton for this tribute/lampoon of one of the 1960’s oddest soap operas.  Aired on ABC in the afternoon from the late ’60’s to the early 70’s, “Dark Shadows” told the story of Barnabas Collins, cursed as a vampire in the 1700’s and buried for 200 years, who finds himself in the modern world trying to restore his family’s fortune.  The start of the movie reboots this tale and heats up as Johnny returns to the psychedelic 70’s.  The culture clash/fish out of water jokes are funny and engaging.  But then the plot kicks in.  Eva Green returns as the witch who cursed him, still hot for Barnabas after all these centuries.  So the movie boils down to the usual monster mash/clash and frankly starts to feel too long.  The other cast members include Michelle Pfeiffer (she does not get much to do),  Chloe Grace Moretz as a typical angry teen, Bella Heathcote as Johnny/Barnabas’ true love, and Helena Bonham Carter as a live in psychiatrist.   I liked “Dark Shadows” at first, but left feeling it tries too hard.  Does it deliver what it promises?  TV soap reboot comedy.  Is it entertaining?  At first but runs too long.  Is it worth the price of admission?  Not a must see.