DVD A gentle artificial man with scissors for hands struggles to find acceptance in a pastel suburban neighbourhood.
Details
An eccentric inventor creates Edward, an artificial young man, but dies before completing him - leaving Edward with scissors in place of hands. Alone in the dark Gothic mansion on the hill, he lives in isolation until Peg Boggs, a kind-hearted Avon representative, discovers him and brings him home to her suburban family.
At first, the neighbourhood is fascinated. Edward's unusual abilities with his scissorhands transform hedges into elaborate sculptures and hairstyles into works of art. He quickly becomes the centre of attention, both admired and exploited by curious neighbours.
As Edward grows closer to Peg's daughter Kim, suspicion and jealousy begin to replace fascination. Manipulated into a burglary and blamed for events beyond his control, Edward finds himself ostracised by the very community that once celebrated him. What began as acceptance slowly unravels into fear.
Picture & Sound
The picture presentation is bright and colourful, capturing the deliberate contrast between the pastel suburban streets and the dark, looming mansion. Detail is strong throughout and the transfer handles Burton's frequent low-light scenes without noticeable artifacting or outlining.
The Dolby Digital 4.0 soundtrack performs well despite its age. Dialogue is clear and Danny Elfman's haunting score fills the available channels effectively. While there is no dedicated LFE channel, the surround mix supports the film's atmosphere beautifully.
Menu & Extras
The disc includes an animated and scored menu along with a solid selection of extras, including commentaries from Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. The featurette and conceptual artwork provide worthwhile background, though some inclusions - such as the Spanish TV spots - feel slightly padded.
Overall
Edward Scissorhands remains one of Tim Burton's most personal and emotionally resonant films. Beneath its fantasy surface lies a gentle story about isolation, conformity and the difficulty of fitting into a world that fears difference.
Johnny Depp delivers a remarkably restrained performance, conveying vulnerability and innocence with minimal dialogue. It is a performance built on physical expression rather than words. Winona Ryder provides warmth and balance, while Vincent Price's brief appearance adds a poignant touch.
A modern fairy tale with heart, style and melancholy charm. This is classic Burton - imaginative, bittersweet and quietly affecting.
Special features
- Commentary from Tim Burton
- Commentary from Danny Elfman
- Featurette
- Interview Clips
- Theatrical Trailers
- Spanish TV Spots
- Conceptual Artwork
