Dark, Disturbing, and Operatic!

Rating: 10/10 (13 April 2008)

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have collaborated numerous times. Yet never (and I mean NEVER) has Depp been so dark, so evil than within this character. Tim Burton is a genius. Everything on screen almost resembles the character of Sweeney Todd in a way. Much like the German Expressionalism of Gegores Melies and Robert Wiene, he uses the sets to convey just how distorted and ruined the character really is. Not to be ignored is Helena Bonham Carter, whose voice and screen presence are so C-R-E-E-P-Y it's amazing! The film (like the musical) was borderline opera. The little dialog between songs was quite witty.
However, this does not save the film from the fact that it was a little too dark. The notions and themes behind the musical were blended quite nicely into film format, but at a price. Personally, I found the movie too disturbing, and found myself hiding behind a pillow for most of it's duration.
Despite the darkness of it all, despite the gallons and gallons of vivid fake blood, Sweeney Todd is triumphant. It has a beautiful score, incredible acting, and of course, Tim Burton in the director's chair.
What more could we ask for?