Where I Watched It: Disney Plus
Description Provided by: Deluxe
Narrated By: Laura Post
So why Edward Scissorhands? Well, a commentator in a group I’m in not too long ago made a comment about how for whatever reason, the Edward Scissorhands audio description track on Disney Plus was cut off, only partially there. This reminded me that I had never seen this, it seems to be something people liked, and it might even be a classic, so it gives me the chance to kill two birds with one stone.
I’m sure when this film came out, and I was still of the age that my parents still controlled when i got to go to the theatres, this movie lost out for not looking age appropriate enough, or like something they would want to sit through. Though that last part mattered little, as I know they sat through some serious kids films. And, moving forward, I just never felt a desire to check this film off my list.
From my sighted days, I’ve seen enough stills/scenes from this to know what Edward looks like, the visual style of the movie, and of course the style Tim Burton always goes for. So, watching this with audio description only wasn’t a problem. I just never really loved the film. It’s OK, but for the obsessed, I didn’t pick up on what you love about the film.
certainly it’s original, but lost in that originality are all the jokes made over the years about Edward doing basic tasks. The film has us assume that he’s lived this long on his own, but how? Does he ever shower? Has he ever brushed his teeth? How does he handle going to the bathroom? The thing about Wolverine is that when you have retractable claws, you can get rid of them when you don’t want to impale yourself. And I do realize there are plenty of people out there who have lost their arms and kick ass at life. We’re not talking about the absence of, we’re talking about having sharp objects in place of hands.
So, even when he maneuvers, he still has to maneuver around these large scissors. It’s a concept that makes the film original, but you also have to accept it for what it is and not ask any questions. I sometimes have a hard time not asking questions.
Honestly, in a film that sparked some kind of ‘shipping for the Winona Ryder/Johnny Depp romance within the film, it was Dianne Wiest who I loved the most out of the cast. She’s always a delight, and she was perfect here. She’s a national treasure, and I refuse to hear anything different.
But with Depp and Ryder, I didn’t think they had any chemistry. Both of them seem in a trance at times, and both have delivered much stronger performances. I think that this one was popular for it’s gothic look on suburban life, putting an outsider into a strange world and watching them adapt, and Johnny Depp. Amber or not, Depp still has fans. He’s always had them.
This may not seem like the most glowing review, but there’s a curve coming. I could choose to grade this based entirely on my experience as a blind individual, but because of my unique experience and having previously seen enough images from the film, I was able to play most of it in my head. And for that reason, i have to take into account the tremendous design of the film, which it absolutely had. Everything from set design, costume design, to hair and makeup, this film is a visual treat. A very odd thing for me to say, I know, but it’s true. Honestly, most Tim Burton films are this way, and he assembles quite a team to help put his vision onto the big screen. It was that vision that rounded out a film I wasn’t entirely in love with.
Laura Post’s audio description for this is nice, and I’m glad it has been fixed and restored to its full length. Tim Burton is the kind of director who is known more for visuals than dialogue, so having a good narrator and written narration can make a ton of difference with any film of his. Otherwise, you’re missing out on the whole experience. This film could easily fall flat for a blind audience that has no solid idea of what Edward looks like, or the conceptual visual design Burton was aiming for.
Is it a classic? Sure. And I can understand why. But my first instincts turned out to be true. I didn’t love it, it’s not my favorite Depp, Ryder, Wiest, or Burton film. But I’m perfectly OK if it’s yours.
Final Grade: B
