Corpse Brideis something of a successor toThe Nightmare Before Christmas, the cult classic that showed the world what kinds of whimsically creepy stories iconic director Tim Burton could spin. While he is generally credited as the brilliant mind behind it,Burton came up with the idea forThe Nightmare Before Christmaswhile he was working for Disney but did not end up directing it. Disney retained the rights to the story after Burton’s departure and revisited it after he found success elsewhere. Burton himself was then unavailable to direct, and the project was taken over by his collaborator Henry Selick.
Selick himself went on to direct other haunting stop-motion movies that are their own kind of follow-up toNightmare, namelyCoralineandWendell & Wild.Movies likeThe Nightmare Before Christmasshowcase its undeniable influence and thorny yet unmoving place in the cultural zeitgeist.By the 2000s, people would have been demanding something like it from Burton himself,leading to another animated adventure that reeks of classic horrors with a more child-friendly twist. However, this unique movie — with more music from Danny Elfman— is still very underappreciated.
Corpse Bride Was Tim Burton’s Spiritual Successor To The Nightmare Before Christmas
After Tim Burton did not directThe Nightmare Before Christmas,Corpse Brideseemed to be an attempt to make up for this missed opportunity, making it the movie’s spiritual successor.Corpse Bridefeatures the same stop-motion style asNightmare, following another unsure male protagonist who stumbles through some Halloween-themed scenarios before coming to terms with his mistakes and reaffirming his place. Like how Jack is complemented by Sally’s story,Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) is accompanied by the intriguing female leads of Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) and Victoria (Emily Watson).
After Tim Burton did not direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride seemed to be an attempt to make up for this missed opportunity, making it the movie’s spiritual successor.
Against the backdrop of Victorian society, all three main characters are juggling expectations, primarily concerning marriage, while seeking their own happiness and trying to do right by each other.Burton really did assemble all the pieces ofThe Nightmare Before Christmasand tried to do it all over again himself,from the visuals to the story playing on Halloween tropes to the compositions of Danny Elfman. The result is actually a very interesting movie with relevant themes, which still holds an admirable 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Corpse Bride Didn’t Leave The Same Cinematic Legacy As The Nightmare Before Christmas
Corpse Bride Isn’t Getting Concerts Or Disneyland
However,Corpse Bridedoubtlessly doesn’t have anywhere near the legacy ofThe Nightmare Before Christmas. For the most basic comparison,Nightmarehas a higher rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its characters have a much bigger presence in the cultural zeitgeist, with associated events and institutions still celebrating it decades later, from Elfman holding an occasional concert to Jack and Sally having taken over the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. Despite its lackluster original release,The Nightmare Before Christmashad become a beloved classic by the timeCorpse Bridecame out, and the latter never lived up to the former.
Why Corpse Bride Deserves (Almost) As Much Acclaim As The Nightmare Before Christmas
Corpse Bride Is An Across-The-Board Great Movie, If Not Nightmare’s Masterpiece
Which might even be considered surprising, whenCorpse Bridearguably has more of a point thanThe Nightmare Before Christmas.PerhapsCorpse Bride’s biggest weakness in terms of this comparison is its soundtrack, which lacks the sheer cleverness that still impresses people today withNightmare’s songs. Elfman returned with a few more strong compositions, but it’s nearly impossible to catch lightning in a bottle twice, especially when you are trying to do that. YetThe Nightmare Before Christmas’circular plot has been noted by fans and critics alike.
Despite its weightier plot and the style to match The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride lacks the tighter pacing and sheer charisma that previously carried Burton’s vision to greater heights.
Jack Skellington has a midlife crisis, causes chaos, and comes to his senses, while Sally has the more interesting arc. On the other hand,Corpse Brideis about a real tragedy, of a young woman who lost everything seeking happinessin a new love that will free her. Others are struggling with the expectations placed upon them in a stringent society but realize that when they do find love, they have to chase it. Real monsters are hidden behind respectability while the initially repugnant denizens of the land of the dead have a sweet moment with their living loved ones.
However, despite its weightier plot and the style to matchThe Nightmare Before Christmas,Corpse Bridelacks the tighter pacing and sheer charisma that previously carried Burton’s vision to greater heights. There was a certain determination behindThe Nightmare Before Christmasto make everything perfect and prove the industry wrong, and more personal strife was injected into the songs. Regardless,Corpse Bridestill doesn’t get enough credit for its compelling story and artistry, largely because of this inherent competition.
Corpse Bride
Cast
Directed by Mike Johnson and Tim Burton, Corpse Bride is a stop-motion fantasy-horror musical released in 2005. Set in the Victorian Era in England, a groom named Victor accidentally weds Emily, a skeletal woman, while practicing his vows alone in a forest. Whisked away to the Land of the Dead, Victor attempts to help Emily with the circumstances surrounding her fate while trying to escape his new temporary undead home.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Henry Selick directs The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop-motion fairytale from the mind of Tim Burton. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloween and one of Halloweentown’s most beloved citizens, but he longs for something more. When he stumbles across a magical door that leads him to discover Christmas, he makes it his mission to replace Santa Claus and bring festive cheer to his perpetually spooky hamlet.
