Burton on Burton Revised Edition [Paperback]

If you've seen Tim Burton in a broadcast interview, chances are that you know that he is not the most fluid of speakers, and for this reason I approached this extended interview with trepidation. However, beneath the sombre dust-jacket is an energetic and lively human being, who infuses the most simplistic life experiences with an infectious enthusiasm which makes this book an absolute joy.

The prose simply sparkles with intelligence, and probably just scratches the surface of his brilliance. Burton impresses with his underlying sense of artistic integrity, but amazes with his heartfelt discussions about art and character. He wants you to share the sense of fun that these experiences have given him, and speaks passionately on many aspects of life. Here is someone not afraid to relate the most pedantic details if he considers them to have impacted his vision, and this is where the book excels most. In many ways, the talk about his actual films is comparatively mundane when compared to recollections of the experiences that shaped them.

Topped off with a selection of Burton's distinctive artwork, this is a fine addition to the library of any movie fan, and it will leave you in awe of one of a cinematic talent that defies categorisation. In the foreword, Johnny Depp calls Burton a genius, and having read the man's take on the world, I think that it's a label I wouldn't argue with. This book is an exemplary example of the interview form, and proof that the best medium for preserving discussion will always be the written page.

For over a decade, the man has delighted and haunted(in a good way)audiences around the world. What is going on in the mind of the genius who has provided us with such popular hits as "Batman", the fairy tale, "Edward Scissorhands", and the critically acclaimed Ed Wood? Well, Burton on Burton gives us one of the clearest visions yet, describing his journey from an oddball child in the suburbs of California to his job as an unfulfilled Disney animator, to his current success. For the average Burton fan, the book will entertain and provide deep insight, but not so much related to Burton as a person, but Burton as a filmmaker. The chapters hide him behind a mask, much like his film's characters, never really letting the reader past the superficial. There are times when Burton comes close to opening up, describing his joy of spending time in the cemetary as a teenager, or his feeling of seclusion growing up, but for the most part, he focuses on his movies or other actors, or his success. Is it enough? Well, for most filmmakers, I wouldn't believe so... But there is a wonderful child-like quality to Burton, a truthfulness in his writing that somehow gave me just enough information to know that I liked him as much as I thought I had. The book could have used more of his lovely, peculiar artwork, and I do hope to know more about this genius in the future... But for what it is, "Burton on Burton" is a good first look into the life of a man who dwells in the dark in order to bring light to his audiences..................................................................................................................by peter fawthrop, greenville college, greenville, IL 62246------please feel free to write me!

This book essentially takes the form of an extended interview with Tim Burton. We are talked through most of Burton's life, beginning with childhood and teenagehood, followed by his time at CalArts and as an animator for Disney, and finally we are talked through his professional filmmaking career. Throughout, elements of Burton's personal/private life as well as his thoughts, preoccupations and emotional feelings are woven into the narrative of his education, training and career. If we imagine that somebody had decided to write a biography of Burton and interviewed him about his life, but then decided to go no further with the project and to simply release the interview transcripts; that is how I would describe this book. It is something like a potted biography; it lacks the completeness we may be used to, but it makes up for that with a certain unfinished, raw quality that permits one to believe that what one is reading is quite authentic.

This book, I feel, is interesting on two levels. For the Tim Burton fan, it tells the man's story in his own words and is interesting for that reason. But it is also of interest to anybody who would like to read the firsthand account of a prominent director's (arguably unorthodox) route into the film industry and subsequent experiences in the industry (reading of how a precocious beginner managed to convince the mighty Vincent Price to provide a voiceover for a short film project was, in itself, worth the price to me). I would heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in Tim Burton or film directors in general. However I feel that if one wanted more from this book, one could end up disappointed. It doesn't talk about how to become the next Tim Burton, how to get a feature film off the ground, or anything like that. And the book especially does not contain a great number of pictures. It is one almost exclusively for reading.

In terms of the book itself, I feel it ought to be noted that neither the quality of the paper stock nor the print quality are the finest. The paper feels quite coarse and the text can, at times, be blurry. By no means is this to an extent which would impair one's ability to read the book. And as this book is contains so few images, the 'experience' of the book is not diminished. In fact, the 'raw' quality of the text which I mentioned earlier is perhaps even enhanced a little by this rough and ready edition. However, as this aspect was pronounced enough to be noticeable, I felt it was worth mentioning.

For the right person, this book is perfect. It is an enjoyable read and very interesting. If you are searching for one of those lavish, image-rich and text-poor coffee table/'doorstop' books, though, it would be best to continue looking.