Johnson Cheu

You'd think there wouldn't be much to say on a director's films that mostly fit into the children's fantasy category. But this book proves there is plenty to say on the amazing creations of Tim Burton. I was a fan of many of his films as a small child, dressing up as Beetlejuice for Halloween. I must have been the oddest five year old walking in the school Halloween parade, but my five year old self had seen the movie so much so the movie to me was somehow a comfort. To be honest, I tended show more to avoid Tim Burton's newer films for a time, mainly due to the original 'Willy Wonka' being one of my favorite movies. It was inevitable I was disappointed in Burton's, no matter what the outcome. That often happens when two of my favorite things combine. But I made it a mission to watch for the first time and re-watch most of Burton's films before reading this book. So I appreciate reading about the films that I've loved for so long. It was interesting to learn that another comforting thing I've loved through the years, stop-motion animation was actually invented in Victorian times, which explains a LOT about Burton's films alone. My favorite chapter is 'An Odd Quest Continued' which explains how Burton's films flip the hero trope upside-down. Most of what is contained in this chapter should have been obvious, but was very eye-opening to me. I would have liked more focus on the earlier films here. However, there tends to be many typos (especially in one chapter) which never inspires confidence in any book. I've read plenty of other books published by McFarland. They have quite a few books featuring quite a few of my favorite things. It's silly to think a thesis could be written about a children's fantasy film, but that is exactly the sort of thing I like to read about. I loved revisiting Burton's movies are reading this along with it. show less

Burton is an impressive artist with a large body of successful films to his directorial credit. This book of essays gives the reader ample space to appreciate his work within various disciplines, primarily among literary practitioners of deconstruction.
As a fan of Burton's work, I enjoyed each of the essays but as a promoter of good cinema I relish the chance to look in depth at the various levels of human meaning which Burton tries to invest his popular works. A large part of Burton's show more success (Burbank, California) has been due to working with his fellow Los Angeles musician/composer Danny Elfman (Oingo Boingo). Burton is no simplistic moralizer but a teller of truths concerning people who have felt outside the normal family unit as well as those individuals who must strive to make a societal contribution by never giving up on themselves or their friends and neighbors.
McFarland has produced a durable book with a flattering cover design. This seems to have produced for academics working in the field of film criticism but could be used by students as a consulted reference work. This book covers each of Burton's many films and their sources which influenced them.
No pictures, Index, About the Contributors, listing of films referenced, with notes and individual bibliographies to each essay. show less

This collection of academic essays presents a variety of views on Tim Burton's films, analyzing the cultural implications of his work. Some of these were so densely academic they were hard to follow. The more readable ones were great, providing some new perspectives on movies I've loved as well as on some of his movies I only thought were so-so.

I particularly liked essays like Elizabeth Leigh Scherman's examination of typical and a-typical bodies in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Pamela show more Krayenbuhl's look at how both adaptations of Charlie and the Chocolate factory – Stuart's in the 70s and Burton's in the 00s – are directly tied to historic cultural perspectives of the times at which they were made; the examination of gender transgression and star power in Deborah Mellamphy's essay on Ewdward Scissorhands; among others. show less

This book is a fine place for both academics and a popular audience to read about Tim Burton's films. Several academic authors write a variety of essays that critically engage with Burton's films. Recommended.