3 out of 5
Director: Tim Burton

This defines average. But I was entertained. Ever notice how there are those types of movies that come by their weirdness or quirkiness honestly, and then there are those where it seems forced? Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a good example of, to me, natural quirk. Even though I wanted to hate Amelie for all of its cuteness, I very much enjoyed it… Whereas Donnie Darko (again, to me) absolutely defines forced weirdness, where the oddities cover up simplicities. Tim Burton has always floated somewhere in the middle, his suburban gothic sensibilities at odds with the hollywood nature of his films (see the amazing setup of Edward Scissorhands vs. its super silly ending). Around the time of Planet of the Apes, he started teetering more toward “forced,” and Big Fish – while a professional work, nicely edited, shot and acted – solidifies that position. It’s an entertaining movie, but it carries incredible detachment, leaving everything feeling very surface. Scenes that should have carried emotional impact did not. I cannot pinpoint exactly why, but it happens from the very first scene – I knew I could stop the movie at any point and not feel the need to finish it. Certainly that can’t be the filmmaker’s goal, right? Not unenjoyable by any means, but this is simply slightly skewed pap for the masses.