Adventure in a pastel paradise
 Jul 30th, 2008
(Oct 6th, 2008)
Advantages:
Great story - line, great film shots, Brill actors
Disadvantages:
Wish the film lasted longer !
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to similar films?
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  kiss_me2070
About me:
Please can you re-read my 17 foundation review as I have re-written the review . . . Many Thanks!
Member since:11.02.2004
Reviews:219
Members who trust:100
Review rated by 40 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Edward Scissorhands reminds me of when I was a child. I used to watch it every year at Christmas and it was one of my favourite films. ***ABOUT THE DIRECTOR****
Tim Burton is an Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated American film director, writer and designer notable for the quirky and often dark gothic atmosphere in his high profile films.
Burton is the director of two successful Batman films (Batman, Batman Returns) and has collaborated with actor Johnny Depp prolifically in films such as Edward ScissorHands, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd. Burton also directed Marks Attacks and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The genesis of Edward ScissorHands came from a childhood drawing of director Tim Burton, which reflected his feelings of isolation and being unable to communicate with people around him such as family and friends. Burton stated that he was often alone, and had trouble retaining friendships.
***STORYLINE***
Edward Scissor Hands is a 1990 American Fantasy Film written by Tim Burton and Caroline Thompson, and directed by Burton. The film features Johnny Depp as Edward Winona Ryder, Dianne Weist and Anthony Michael Hall. The story follows a young mane named Edward, who was created an inventor (Vincent Price), who died before he could give Edward a pair of human hands, which left
Edward with sharp shears of metal for hands. Edward lives alone in a ruined Gothic castle perched on top of a hill above a pastel-coloured suburb. Edward is a very pasty, scarred, pale skinned man, who wears a tight high necked black leather suit and has black, scruffy hair.
One day the Avon Lady (Peg), comes calling and finding Edward alone in the roof of the mansion, although shocked at his appearance she invites him back with her, where she hopes to help him with his pasty complexion and the nicks he's given himself from his razor, sharp blade hands. She takes him back home and treats him as if he were one of her son's.
Edwards skills with topiary sculpture and hair design make him very popular in the neighbourhood, but the mood turns swiftly against the outside when he starts to feel his own desires, particularly for Kim (Peg's Daughter). Kim's boyfriend (Jim), gets jealous of how well Kim and Edward get on and hates the feelings Edward feels towards Kim.
Will Edward stay and settle in this neighbourhood? Will Jim over-come his jealousy or will Edward finally get a pair of human hands? ***MAIN CHARACTERS***
* Johnny Depp - Stars as Edward ScissorHands and has also appeared in Pirate of the Caribbean, Sweeny Todd, Corpse Bride and many more.
* Winona Ryder - stars as Kim Boggs a fragile, beautiful, compassionate and bright girl who has a progressive attraction towards Edward. She has also starred in Lucas and Beetle Juice.
* Dianne Wiest - Stars as Peg Boggs, a typical sensible mother who wants to show Edward the life he deserves by treating him as one of her son's.
* Anthony Michael Hall - Stars as Jim, Kim's uncaring boyfriend, who instantly dislikes Edwards affection for Kim. He has also appeared in Out Of Bounds, The Dead Zone and more.
* Kathy Baker - Stars as Joyce, pegs seductive neighbour who becomes and admirer of Edward and attempts to seduce him.
* Robert Oliveri - Stars as Kevin Boggs, Kim's obnoxious, curious younger brother who also befriends Edward.
* Alan Arkin - Stars as Bill Boggs, Pegs husband, and Kevin and Kim's father. Although he is portrayed as a loving father, he often tried to act as if he's listening to his family when in reality he's not. Arkin has also appeared in Catch 22, The In Laws and Little Miss Sunshine.
* Vincent Price - Stars as the Inventor in his final film appearance. Edwards Inventor dies in the very act of trying to give Edward his hands. Edward refers to him as a father and he is know to have taught Edward Poetry and courtesy. Price has appeared in a lot of horror films.
**FILMING**
Cast and crew spent 12 weeks filming in Florida, where they found and occupied community to film in, Carpenters Run subdivision in Lutz, Florida. On the shooting location they made the houses look even more characterless by painting all the houses in faded pastels, and reducing the window sizes to make it look a little more paranoid. Sixty different houses were repainted for Tim Burtons vision of Suburbia, all of them occupied, and only changed for the garish exterior paint. The production then relocated to a set in Los Angeles, California for the shooting of the mansion scenes.
***WAS IT A HIT IN THE BOX OFFICE?***
Edward Scissorhands opened in America on December 7th, 1990 and grossed $6,325,249 in its opening weekend which was somewhat disappointment for 20th Century Fox who thought it could possibly beat Burton's Batman (1989) and Steven Spielberg's, E.T. Box office wise the film became the 20th highest grossing film in 1990. The film was first released in DVD format in 1997 in a bare-bones edition, followed by a special edition in 2001, celebrating the films 10th anniversary.
***DVD SPECIAL FEATURES***
* Tim Burton Commentary
* Danny Elfman Commentary
* Featurette
* Interview Clips
* 2 Trailers
* Spanish TV Spots
* Concept Artwork ***DVD AVALIBILITY***
You can get this DVD from Amazon and HMV, prices start from £2.99.
***OVERALL OPINION***
At first glance I thought this film looked quite scary upon seeing a picture of Edward ScissorHands, but I was so wrong. Its a truly beautiful film about a timeless tale of friendship. A very dark and also sad fairytale and it did make me teary eyed at times. This is a film the whole family can enjoy over and over again. The filming and acting is brilliant and some of the scene shots are amazing, my particular favourite is when Edward is carving the ice angel and Kim is dancing under it with the snow-flakes falling around her. This film is a true classic and definitely one well worth watching. (Review also on dooyoo)
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![Edward Scissorhands [1991] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78550871.jpg)
by (8%):
by (5%):
27.10.2008 15:59
I love this film! great family film!
07.10.2008 15:07
Great Review...
11.08.2008 00:29
another great review - thanks