Tweet

Tim Burton finds his form again (or near enough) after the monumental irrelevance that was 2001's Planet of the Apes. Albert Finney and the tireless Ewan McGregor star in this eclectic, offbeat fantasy about a son coming to terms with his father's mythically tall tales.

After the disappointment of Planet of the Apes, Big Fish sees Burton make a triumphant return to form. Though some scenes in the film echo the gothic mood of his earli... more >

After the disappointment of Planet of the Apes, Big Fish sees Burton make a triumphant return to form. Though some scenes in the film echo the gothic mood of his earlier work, Big Fish is a much lighter concoction, as it tells the charming tale of an estranged son reuniting with his fanciful, dying father, whose Munchausen-style tales vex the younger man. The majority of the film shows the father’s tale of his own life, incorporating giants, werewolves and a very big fish. The developing relationship between the son and the father is beautifully depicted, and it is undoubtedly Burton’s most moving film to date. The script is full of wit and gentle satire (such as the depiction of the impossibly idyllic town of Spectre), and with excellent performances from Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney, and a magical score by Danny Elfman, Big Fish is one of the best family films in years. < less

View all 216 of Alex Davidson’s reviews