The last third is an exercise in cliche and waiting for the credits to roll.
Until then, Depp/Burton/Elfman create the marvelously beautiful, dark, and surreal vision that is every “goth” auteur’s ultimate and most fervent desire/dream, and then proceed to slam it into the ground. Repeatedly.
In short, it’s goth without pretension. Bravo.
Grade: B+
7/7/13: The last third, especially the “fight scene”, is too dull and/or stupid. Grade: B