Perhaps the Johnny Depp-Tim Burton tandem should take a break for a while.

The actor-director duo teamed up for the eighth time with the worldwide release of Dark Shadows, a goth-infused, comedy vampire movie that is a remake of a popular 1970s TV series of the same title. The movie tells about the man-out-of-time misadventures of Barnabas Collins, a nobleman cursed by a dejected lover to be a vampire, and wakes up 200 years later.

Tim Burton's fingerprints are all over the movie, delivered deftly through Depp's oddball humor. The collaboration was a typical Depp-Burton treat - a treat perhaps delivered way too much.

Movies are often moviemakers' narcissistic mirrors; Dark Shadows unfortunately devolved into Tim Burton's album of me. The movie was a visual feast; everything from the costumes to cinematography to makeup to set was undeniably Tim Burton's. That it is a vampire movie needed no justification for its delicious gothic appeal.

Depp, on the other hand, was the usual master of his own eccentric roles. Anachronistic Barnabas literally came to life complete with hand gestures, awkward eye movements and archaic language. His lust/hate relationship with antagonist Angelique (portrayed by Eva Green) was the film's central theme, ping-ponging from one frame to another.

But just like the old Collinwood Manor, the film's intricate façade and interiors belied an empty substance. The plot was too Depp-centric. The supporting characters were paper caricatures of the cliché "family with secrets": there's the old Matriarch, a closet werewolf daughter, a drunkard housekeeper, and a son who talks to his long-dead mother's ghost. It is Adam's Family with prettier visuals and campier dialogues.

Barnabas Collin's love story with maiden Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote), the cause of his curse, was swept under the rug until it was conveniently pulled out in the end to tie up the film's wayward plot. Heathcote was effectively reduced into a beautiful plot device to bookend the film.

In the end, despite the rich visuals and occasional "birthing hips" humor, the movie became a parody - Depp parodying his Tim Burton's roles. Campy, vain, and self-referencing. All icing and sugar but no nutrition. It offered nothing new to its supposed adaptation of the old classic, except perhaps show the viewers that Depp and Burton are still actively collaborating.

With that said, the pair should take a creative break.

Dark Shadows are now showing in cinemas worldwide.