Masterful Direction, Acting, Cinematography, Set, Lighting, Has it all.

Rating: 10/10 (30 December 2007)

Those who happen not to have a musical theater affinity may likely be surprised by the ease and inclusiveness of this masterful musical film creation. Perhaps, because I do love stage musicals it was natural to anticipate this film on the one hand, but on the other I wondered and worried about how successful the director and crew would be at transferring the Sondheim genius on to the big screen. I was not disappointed!
Burton and Logan supremely translate the stageplay on screen into the thrilling unfolding of the tale of the Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, offering brilliant and authentic sets with eery lighting and once the viewer gets passed the first ten minutes or so of lyrics in lieu of lines, even the anti-musical enthusiast will either become a convert or at the least - in this particular instance - easily make the leap into the genre for the next few delightfully thrilling hours.
Of course, the Sondheim tunes are fabulous, the cast talent stellar and Depp's musicality surprised and impressed. Not only with his debut singing abilities but honestly, in his never-ending labryinth of character development and genius. This film, more than any other to date(and he has a lot), shows how incredibly gifted and willing to take risks he is,despite what is or is not kosher in Hollywood or even with public.The hallmark of a gifted actor is one who can really take on the whole spectrum of characters and therefore not a typecast. This man is an actor's actor.
Helena Bonham Carter was hysterical and developed character in a way that mesmerizes you when she's on screen. I could not wait for she and Depp to be back on screen. That said, Alan Rickman was stupendously evil and loved his portrayal of Judge Turpin. Timothy Spall - OMG, he could not have been more deliciously smarmy as Tourpin's sycophant. Sacha Baron Cohen was seriously funny and showed his skills as a dramatic actor. Kudos for Jamie Campbell Bower as perfect Anthony Hope and really enjoyed the performance of Ed Sanders as Toby; worked great with Bonham Carter.
Set design, lighting and cinematography is a dream and in large part is what helps to make the translation from stage to screen so great and enjoyable.
Burton and the entire cast and crew is spot-on and I plan to see this film again and again. Brilliant!