EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

REVIEWED BY DALLAS SHIPP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: brief sexual content

Rated:

Horrifying, yet comic. Dramatic, yet romantic. Tragic and twisted, Edward Scissorhands is the most unique film I have ever seen. In a category by itself, this film is like no other. From the tortured mind of a lonely author comes a film that demands laughter, tears, screeches, and surprise. The film leaves you with odd inspiration after viewing it. A truly bizarre worldview and horror that is nearly impossible to take seriously, the film is a wacky trip through the colorful world of Tim Burton. Strangeness in one of it's purest forms, but beautiful simultaneously, it's a well meaning fairytale that will have lovers and enemies.

Gothic and terrifying in appearance, Edward Scissorhands proves to be neither. Graced with the golden performances of Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, the film comes packaged with true emotion and solid acting. One role that one must see is that of Alan Arkin, cast as Ryder's father, Mr. Boggs. He is unbelievably easygoing and hilarious to watch! Set in a psychedelic world where evil highlights itself outrageously, yet no one seems to notice it, the film seems to distribute background messages to its viewers. The darkness of evil is ignored by nearly all the characters in the film, except Edward and Kim, who attempt to defeat it together.

Very eccentric sets, personalities, and outlook are all presented rather well in this film. An odd plot, and an even stranger presentation suprisingly turns out very well. Where we may see horror, the film sees none, and the tone of our shock is lowered. Edward Scissorhands is a fairytale with a message embedded in every frame. In a very unnatural way, this film delivers a depressing message of man's sinful nature. For its viewers the film creates a unique care and love for the disabled, the different, and the discriminated. 

The film is the chronicle of a young man named Edward (Johnny Depp) who was created by an inventor who died before he could finish his creation. Instead of hands on his otherwise fleshy body, he was given metal like gloves with single scissors as fingers. Left alone in his inventor's mansion, Edward lived by himself until a wandering saleswoman from town visits the house and discovers the lonely man. She takes him down to her house, and insists that he live with her family. Trying to adjust to the nosy townspeople, Edward does his best to fit in, and soon falls in love with his savior's daughter, Kim.

Edward Scissorhands is rated PG13 for light sexual implications, violence, and horror elements. Profane language is minimal. Edward is scary looking with his pale scarred face, wild hair, and scissorhands, but is a gentle loving person inside. There is some blood from scratches and a stab wound from the scissors, and two people die dramatically onscreen. Sex implications are light, but present. A female character from town is always chasing after men, and strips down to a western saloon style suit in front of Edward (who leaves quickly). She acts seductively throughout the film.

It's a very dark but beautiful film. Crowds will separate over this one. You will either like it or hate it. This film could be appropriate for children of the right maturity, but be cautious. The PG13 rating comes from violence. This film's strange presentation of good and evil could be a positive or a negative element. While the depravity of man is Scissorhand's journey, a hunger for light is it its ultimate destination. I recommend this film to everyone who enjoys bizarre genres or who is just looking for something different. These crowds will be very satisfied. For those of you who are not sure if you would enjoy it or not, I have no idea how to assure you one way or the other. I think that this film has decent value, and you should do well by renting it.