Most directors need to make a few films before they get a grasp on their abilities, not all the time, but most. Now, Burton did need to make a few films and other projects before his first hit in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, but from there, it gets bumpy. He went from unique and questionably great to boring.Those who are quite fond of Burton may be aware of his short films and stories from before his fame. Those shorts and stories were amazing, but now, we are seeing a sell out. The next step in loserdum would be to make another cheesy film, but this time, staring Brendan Fraser and The Rock.
Burton went into Pee-wee's Big Adventure without much under his belt, but from there he made Beetlejuice. Now, his take on Pee-wee is absolutely amazing. Never before and never again have I ever cared about Pee-wee, and the film was amazing. From there he took a turn into his own imagination and delivered us Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice the horror comedy which visuals are literally out of this world.
Next, he was entrusted with one of the world's most identifiable icons, Batman. So few films had such an impact on my childhood than this one. Burton's Keaton Batman will forever go down in my books as one of the greatest action dramas of my life, and even higher on the list regarding nostalgia. The theme of his Batman film will always be one of the most recognizable themes of all film.
His next project is his most iconic, his twisted signature will probably not be viewed better in anything else. Edward Scissorhands. Edward Scissorhands was the film which the director actor duet begins for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, and will last for a laundry list of additional films together. It feels that every year we see another Burton and Depp film.
Last and definitely not least can be refered to as just, Nightmare. The Nightmare Before Christmas is argued by some to be his greatest, and even if that were true, it would be his last great. His desired claymation style finally came to life in this film, and some of Burton's larger fan base desires more of this style from him as it seems he doesn't have a handle on live action anymore.
His filmography now takes us into projects like Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 9, and then Alice in Wonderland. I am starting to wonder where in wonderland is Burton? Burton last gave us a good film in Sweeney Todd in 2007 after a long break from anything desirable.
Is Tim Burton a sellout? Should he be cast down from atop the high esteemed director's list? Was he ever on it? It feels like his greatness was an illusion, that everyone was fooled by many years ago. Now, with his fame from Nightmare Before Christmas with Disney's marketing, it may seem that he is now in it for the buck vs. for the passion. He is a burnout.
Tim Burton is like the flashlight you once depended on, and now, in the dark, it is letting you down as the batteries have run down. But still, because if one day you might buy new batteries, you refuse to throw it out. There is sits, on the shelf, until new batteries arrive.
