Sweeney has it's faults, but overall a good interpretation

Rating: 7/10 (7 December 2007)

Let me begin by saying I walked into this movie apprehensively. I had seen the revival with Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone twice last year on Broadway, and had seen videos of Len Cariou, George Hearn and Angela Lansbury, so I had some expectations. That being said, this movie was definitely not as bad as it could have been. There were parts of it that were brilliant and parts that didn't work, but overall it was an enjoyable film.
It did have its faults. In the beginning, the film itself seems a little confused as to whether it is going to be artistic and theatrical or realistic. There are moments where the characters are making grand gestures and acting in a big theatrical way, and then others that are very quiet, close shots making the film seem more real. Eventually it settles into a rhythm that becomes a balance between the two. There are some moments that I felt had so much comic potential that were not utilized, especially "A Little Priest." Sweeney and Lovett just didn't seem to be enjoying their plotting, which made the number a bit bland. The film doesn't really reach its full comic potential until the "Johanna" quartet (which is actually a trio) and "By the Sea", though we do see earlier glimpses, especially in "The Contest." Concerning the song cuts, I had a problem logistically with the cutting of "Ah, Miss" and "Kiss Me." It just didn't make sense that Joanna and Anthony never spoke to each other until the end of the film. Going into the film I was also upset at the cutting of "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" but Burton cleverly used this as an instrumental underneath the scenes where it would have been sung.
Johnny Depp surprised me in his portrayal of Sweeney Todd. He was able to find both the blood thirsty monster and pained husband/ father in this character, and though obviously not a trained singer, his vocals are not bad. Helena Bonham Carter left something to be desired vocally, but acted the part of Mrs. Lovett beautifully, especially in "By the Sea" which I thought was the best number in the movie, darkly comic and sweet at the same time with stunning visuals. Regarding the other actors, Sacha Baron Cohen absolutely stole the scene in "The Contest" with his Pirelli, Alan Rickman (who has a wonderful voice!) and Timothy Spall are perfect as the villainous Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford, and Jayne Wisener, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Ed Sanders as Johanna, Anthony, and Toby respectively provide a nice contrast of innocence to all of the madness surrounding them. Laura Michelle Kelly is an absolutely eerie beggar woman. Regarding all the blood, yes, it is a lot. And yes, it does spew absolutely everywhere (camera lens included). But its coloring, opaqueness, and great amount make it not so much disgusting as artistic, especially in the "Johanna" quartet.
Overall this was a good film. It does have its faults, but it captures the mood and story of the Sondheim's originally musical beautifully.