Frid's Barnabas had gravitas.
In abundance! Alas, while Depp is a good actor, he lacks the gravitas that actors like Frid, Karloff, and Lee had/have.
I agree that the original series is an acquired taste. Some friends of mine tried to mainline the OS in preparation for the new film and they didn't make it very far, not because they felt it was bad, but because they thought the pacing was too slow. One of them actually griped that she wanted Willie "to just go away because all he does is stay in bed and whine." I assured her that Willie is a very compelling character and that he will become integral to the upcoming plotline. She and her BF are having a tough time slogging through. I suggested the MPI edited release "The Vampire's Curse." I haven't watched it, so I'm not sure how it plays but it might be better for them.
Also, I'm not opposed to SOME humor. The classic series and the '91 series contained funny elements and characters. However, there's a big difference in the type, purpose, and amount of humor found in the earlier incarnations. There's humor to be found in Three Stooges shorts, Thin Man mysteries, and even in Hammer Dracula films BUT humor is used VERY differently and for different reasons in each of those. Burton's take strikes me more as Austin Powers meets Edward Gorey meets The Brady Bunch Movie which is way off-base for something called Dark Shadows. Eh, it is what it is I s'pose.
I will watch it Taeylor, and I will give it a chance. I'm excited to see the classic series actors in it. Despite how I feel about what I've seen of the film, I'm thrilled that Jonathan Frid appeared in it.
PS - Thanks for the hugs Uncle G!