Something Wicked This Way Comes

“Something Wicked This Way Comes"

Directed by Tim Burton
Screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan
Produced by Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi and Richard D. Zanuck
Music by Danny Elfman
“Something Wicked” Music and Lyrics by Danny Elfman and David Bowie

Principal Cast:

Tom Wilkinson (Charles Halloway)
Hugh Jackman (Mr. Dark)
Gus Lewis (Will Halloway)
Jordan Fry (Jim Nightshade)
Naomi Watts (Mrs. Nightshade)
Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Halloway)
Eva Marie Saint (Mrs. Foley)
Reese Witherspoon (Young Mrs. Foley)
Casper Van Dien (Mr. Nightshade)
Matt Dillon (Mr. Cooger)
Freddie Highmore (Young Mr. Cooger)
Johnny Depp (Ed, the Bartender)
Halle Berry (Dust Witch)
Pete Postlethwaite (Tom Fury)
Geoffrey Rush (Mr. Tetley)
Martin Landau (Mr. Corsetti)

Tagline: “Evil can take beautiful forms”

Synopsis: Tim Burton creates his own spin on the Ray Bradbury novel that begins to center around the relationship between two best friends (Lewis, Fry) that live in a small town and are “blood brothers”. Their friendship is tested in some ways, such as their fathers: Jim’s father (Van Dien) hasn’t been home since Jim was ten and Will’s (Wilkinson) is an older man. Then, one day, a mysterious carnival comes to their quaint little town, headed by the odious Mr. Dark (Jackman), who sports a black suit, top hat and cobra headed cane, with assistance from his right hand man, Mr. Cooger (Dillon) and, briefly seen, the beautiful Dust Witch (Berry). The carnival seems to be a joy at first, even if its creator is a bit eccentric. However, strange things start to happen as Mr. Dark begins to promise the people of the town their deepest, darkest desires. However, there are catches. The old school teacher Mrs. Foley (Saint) wants to be young and beautiful again, but her eyesight is then taken; a former college football star (Depp), who has had a leg and arm amputated, gets them back only to be turned into a child and ineligible to play the sport. The boys suspect something very dangerous with this carnival as they too start to become targets of Mr. Dark, and Will’s father, being an educated person and knowledgeable of books, uses his intellect to try and combat the demons which have entered his town. He is frail, but that will not stop him from sending Mr. Dark and his subordinates back where they came from.

What the press would say:

Finally, Tim Burton has put his masterful touches where they are very much needed. He embraces every frame with a wonderful sense of style full of the great mystery and darkness. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Jordan Fry and Batman Begins co-star Gus Lewis give a nice addition to young talent within the film. Tom Wilkinson and Hugh Jackman are in their best forms and excel in their acting, particularly Jackman. He piles on the evil incarceration so well that he is very convincing. Villainous roles are always fun to watch and Jackman contains the persona to successfully play Mr. Dark as a dark and devious character. Shyamalan has an intriguing script that pays homage both to the Ray Bradbury novel and memorable film. Once again, the sense of style in design is truly magnificent and Danny Elfman has a wonderfully wicked score. The original song, collaborated with David Bowie, is a fine and fun one as well. The campaign consideration:

Best Director: Tim Burton
Best Supporting Actor: Hugh Jackman
Best Adapted Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Original Score
Best Makeup