Sweeney Todd - a cut above the rest?

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2008)

There is nothing better than seeing a good musical on the big screen and Sweeney Todd does not disappoint.
All the usual Tim Burton boxes are ticked - dark gloomy atmosphere, eccentric characters, Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp. The only box left un-ticked is Danny Elfman.
I'm one of the few people who cannot see the attraction with Johnny Depp, I never bought into the Captain Jack hype or liked his version of Willy Wonka but Sweeney Todd is the first film I have seen Johnny Depp in and have been completely immersed in his performance. His singing, whilst very good, is not on par with other Hollywood stars such as Hugh Jackman or Ewan McGregor but his performance cannot be faulted he embodies Sweeney to the point that you forget that it Johnny Depp playing a character.
The rest of the cast - Alan Rickman plays his usual villain - only this time he sings, Sacha Baron Cohan plays his usual crazed European - only this time he sings, Timothy Spall plays his usual villain lackey - only this time he sings, whilst clearly all playing roles they are famous for are good additions to the production, Sacha Baron Cohan getting a few good laughs,especially with a surprise accent related revelation!
It is Helena Bonham Carter and Edward Sanders who steal the show. Helena is perfectly cast, regardless of her relationship with the director and all the big dramatic songs are left for young Sanders who will be compared to the Artful Dodger and for all the right reasons.
There is a little sub-plot involving Sweeney's daughter Johanna (Jayne Wiesner) and a young sailor Anthony (Jamie Campbell Bower) but they get rather short changed and are given little to do.
The songs are all fittingly dark set against the geographically incorrect but appropriately gloomy London. Although none of the songs have the catchiness you would expect from musicals they are clever - special mention must go to Worst Pies in London, A Little Priest (personal favourite) and Pirelli's Miracle Elixir.
The film looks gorgeous, with the colour all faded it illuminates the blood, and to be frank there is a lot of blood. The film is quite violent but once you get over the first initial graphically killing you accept the over-dramatic blood splattering.
Overall I would give the film 9/10. It is a very enjoyable film which doesn't have a happy cast sing-a-long ala Hairspray at the end which fits in perfectly with the films gloomy tone. It loses a point for the wasted romantic sub-plot between Johanna and Anthony - Johanna getting the award for worst singer and song in the whole movie with Green Finch and Linnett Bird.
Definitely recommended for all fans of Tim Burton, musicals and dare I say it, even the legions of Johnny Depp fans through out the world - although this one is still not a convert.