But Hall's cruelty and Baker's seduction tactics eventually bring about Edward's fall from grace as he realizes the world isn't quite ready for him.

This is obviously Burton's vision, and he has created something very special here. The sets, the costuming, the visual imagery, Stan Winston's special effects, Danny Elfman's gorgeous music and nearly every performance are absolutely mesmerizing.

Depp's sad-eyed, tentative portrait of the tragic hero and Wiest's well-intentioned mother/wife whose acts of kindness backfire, are particularly notable. But Price, Arkin, Ryder, Baker, Ferrell and young Oliveri are also very good.

Hall, however, is far too thuggish as a troubled rich kid, and his character — and the character's ultimate end — are far too dark for this movie, which would have fared better with a "fun villain," if you will.

Despite that flaw, however, "Edward Scissorhands," from the opening moment with a rather unusual 20th Century Fox logo, to its fairy tale finale, is a supremely magical motion picture, at once familiar and like nothing you've ever seen before.

It is rated PG-13 for an ill-conceived scene of violence toward the end, along with a couple of profanities and vulgarities from Hall's character.