Why so much hype?

Fantastic!

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

I kick myself every time this happens. Why, oh why did I wait so long to watch this movie? It's a complete blast, hearkening back to one of my favorite eras and film genres, 1950's B grade horror and sci-fi, built around the legend and career of cult film favorite Ed Wood Jr. No doubt Johnny Depp is sensational as the title character, and Martin Landau is due accolades as well for his portrayal of horror film icon Bela Lugosi. Ed Wood takes a cue from his own personal film making hero, Orson Welles (Vincent D'Onofrio), who advises the young director that "Visions are worth fighting for". Wood's vision produced such marvelous and demented films as "Glen or Glenda", "Bride of the Monster", "Night of the Ghouls, and my personal favorite, "Plan 9 From Outer Space". Director Tim Burton does a nice job of chronicling the film making career of Wood, who even with all the best intentions, couldn't produce a coherent film if his life depended on it. But they were certainly entertaining in a uniquely creative and humorous way. If nothing else of accomplishment, at least he extended the career of Lugosi, who in his later years descended into the throes of morphine addiction. I got a kick out of the way Lugosi dissed contemporary Boris Karloff any chance he got; it happened in the story at least three or four times. Personally, I enjoy the work of both actors, and it's probably a toss up as to which is the greater movie monster of all time - Frankenstein or Dracula. It's a tough pick.The most ironic thing about this film is that it's better than anything Ed Wood Jr. ever made himself. However I will challenge the idea that "Plan 9 From Outer Space" is the worst movie ever made by the Worst Director of all time. 'Plan 9' doesn't even show up in the One Hundred Lowest Rated Movies ever here on IMDb, and of the clunkers I've seen, I'd have to give the nod to "The Aztec Mummy Against the Humanoid Robot" as the worst one I've ever seen, closely followed by "Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell". Now that I think about it, Ed Wood probably isn't the Worst Director of All Time either, though it's probably a distinction he wouldn't mind owning given the cult following that's been built around his reputation over the years.

The mostly true story of the legendary "worst director of all time", who, with the help of his strange friends, filmed countless B-movies without ever becoming famous or successful.Not an accurate account of Bela Lugosi nor Ed Wood - but close enough to enjoy. It's not a film that pure Lugosi fans will enjoy.8.5/10

Tim Burton was two strikes deep on my cinematic experience with him. After seeing, and not caring for, Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd, I was ready to give Burton one last chance before writing him off, completely. Good thing I used Ed Wood for his third strike. An engrossing, thoroughly engaging biopic, Ed Wood tells the story of the famously horrible, yet passionate, film director, Edward D. Wood Jr. Edward D. Wood Jr. has famously been named the worst director of all time, responsible for such films as Plan 9 From Outer Space. Somehow, Burton took a genre, known for its tedious approach and formulaic output, and made an interesting film about a largely unexplored figure. Ed Wood, made in 1994 stars Johnny Depp, as most Tim Burton films do, as well as Sarah Jessica Parker and Patricia Arquette. Burton and Depp put in career best output in a film that was clearly close to Burton's heart.Edward D. Wood Jr (Johnny Depp) is a Hollywood eccentric who enjoys wearing women's clothing and has even admitted to wearing women's undergarments under his uniform when he served in the military. Ed has a passion for 'telling stories" and wants to follow in the massive footsteps of his idol, Orson Welles. Through extreme passion, Wood is able to carve a place for himself in Hollywood, backed by a loyal crew and accompanied by a star who has dimmed, Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau). The problem with the story-telling of Ed Wood, is that his dreams are too great for what can reasonably be placed on celluloid, especially given the small budget Wood had to work with. Despite ever gaining any commercial or critical success, Wood held tight to his dream, creating film after film that few audiences ever saw. His personal relationships were important to Wood, always remaining loyal to his friends and loved ones, despite their troubles, as his friends and loved ones remained loyal to him. An interesting life, worthy of delving into for film fans, Ed Wood is a good vehicle with which to begin the journey into Ed Wood Jr.I love black and white films, I instantly enjoy a film more when I see that it is in black and white. When a film is in black and white that doesn't have to be, I appreciate it all the more. It only makes sense for Ed Wood to be shot in black and white, covering a man who began his work in filmmaking career in the 1950's, but the fact that Burton was able to pull it off in 1994, speaks volumes to his commitment to the project. Burton also used fantastic classic cinema film techniques with the great iris in/pit shots. Burton clearly wanted to make a film that was as period-accurate as he could, and I appreciate his adherence to classic cinema. Burton also used low angle shots to an effective degree, much as he did in Edward Scissorhands, which are always nice to see. After seeing four Johnny Depp films this month, I am nearly certain that I don't care for him as an actor, but he was at a career-best in this film. Burton was also at the top of his game, possibly due to his passion for the project, giving audiences an engaging look into an ignored director largely lost like the films in his career.

Leave it to Tim Burton to direct a film about the "wackiest" filmmaker of all time. But in all seriousness, Ed Wood may very well be the best directing job of Burton's career. It's funny, strange, and rapidly paced. Burton deserves credit.I really love when movies take place within the world of filmmaking, especially during the 1950's. It was just an interesting time to be involved in the film business. Perhaps nobody more interesting than Edward D. Wood Jr. Although apparently much of the film's details were made up for the movie itself, it's hard not to get a kick out of Wood's story. A man stumbles himself into Hollywood with little to no experience, and manages to garner decent budgets to make multiple films, that's Hollywood 101.One of Burton's greatest qualities is the ability to develop a great journey for the characters. Ed Wood has a clear beginning, middle, and end, but it's the stuff along the way that makes for the most entertainment. The sheer absurdity of Wood's story is really where Burton tends to bring out his best work. Watching a man without any real talent as a filmmaker plow his way through studio executives and convince actors to join him in his quest makes it all the more amazing. I mean come on, this guy compares himself to Citizen Kane on multiple occasions.As for the performances, there's almost too many good ones to mention. Johnny Depp, in his second Burton feature, begins to show exactly why he's one of this generation's greatest talents. He easily could have been nominated for an Oscar here. It's also the first real time he played such a uniquely strange character, something he's got himself stuck into doing these days. Martin Landau, who did win an Oscar for his turn as Bela Lugosi, is what makes this film work so well. It can get tiresome watching Wood's undeserved success, but Landau works so impeccably well as a drugged up Lugosi. I couldn't have imagined someone better in that role.The rest of the cast and crew also deserve credit, mostly for succeeding in making such a strangely delicious film. After a while, you begin to go along with the joke of Wood's career. And to look up and see that there's still plenty that isn't falsified makes it all the better.+Unique characters and story+Movie about movies+Burton's tight directing8.0/10