Edward Scissorhands Film Style Analysis

Vincent opens on a young boy, locked away in his room, imagining himself as an evil mastermind, and reading Edgar Allen Poe. This short film is one of Tim Burton’s first works, and perfectly encapsulates his style. Although Burton worked for Disney during his creation of the film, his style differs greatly from that of Disney. Disney takes stories geared traditionally toward children and removes all dark aspects creating a completely wholesome story. However, Burton takes children’s stories and embellishes the dark elements, creating eerie stories. Throughout Tim Burton’s work a clearly unique directing style is showcased, defined, in particular, by his use of colour, music, and camera angles to create characterization, foreshadowing, and mood respectively. Tim Burton often uses colour to portray the protagonist’s wants, as well as to

In Edward Scissorhands, a close-up is used on both Edward and Kim’s faces after Edward mistakenly drops a steak in Kim’s lap. This close-up allows for facial expressions to be seen clearly, in turn adding to the emotion of the scene. (In this case Edward’s apologetic embarrassment, and Kim’s annoyance.) As the characters display an obvious emotion, the mood syncs up with the emotions they feel. Similarly, in The Corpse Bride the camera tilts, sways, and bounces as Victor runs from Emily in the world of the dead. This creates a chaotic feel to the scene as tilted shots put the audience in Victor’s shoes as he panics. Finally, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a view is used to show Wonka and his tour group, as well as dancing Oompa Loompas while Augustus is stuck in the chocolate tube. Being able to see several different events taking place from above creates a chaotic atmosphere. Juxtaposed, however, by the “unprepared” order of the dance routine taking place below. These aspects work together to help create a suspicious, and chaotic mood to the