Bloody Marvelous!

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2008)

When I went into Sweeney Todd this evening I admit I expected it to be brilliant, I adore every single Tim Burton movie, yes and I do mean every single one in their own way. Burton is a very acquired taste in my eyes, you either love or loathe his movies. In fact I am the only member of my family who love Burton movies, my mum actually made me turn Mars Attacks off because she despised it so much. I on the over hand will lap any Burton movie up, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, I love them all. So I went in today, sat down and prepared to be amazed. And I came out of that cinema more than amazed, I was practically in love with the movie. I am a huge Burton fan, but this might just well be his very best work to date! Sweeney Todd is just amazing, the music, the performances, the storyline, the ending, oh they are all so wonderful. I think I have already seen the best movie of 2008! However despite this being a Burton movie through and through, if you despise his movies this isn't for you, the movie is also surprisingly dark for him. In fact its quite easily Burton's darkest film to date. Johnny Depp excels in this movie and Bonham Carter is a true joy to watch. The movies songs are also amazing, while none of them are happy and foot tapping like they were in Hairspray, they are superb to listen to and each and every one is memorable.
Tim Burton's favourite actor and actress both appear in this movie as the leads, Johnny Depp being the infamous demon barber, and Helena Bonham Carter as equally as infamous Mrs Lovett. Johnny Depp recently won a Golden Globe for his performance, and in my most humble opinion I think he should take the Oscar as well. Sure he was superb as Captain Jack Sparrow, but in this movie he possesses such emotions, such a great voice and such a complex character that he really does a better performance in this movie. When he sings "My Friends" that's when I truly appreciated his performance. Bonham Carter also delivered her very best performance in this movie. I've started to find her a bit overused in Burton movies, I mean what was the point in her being cast in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? However in this film she is spectacular. Sure her singing voice isn't the best, it seemed oddly high in "Worst Pies in London", but she does deliver in terms of emotion. Her scenes later in the film are simply put amazing, and she like Depp deserves an Oscar as well. Alan Rickman is on fine form as the villainous Judge, its a shame he is underused, but there are a few scenes where he is amazing. Sacha Baron Cohen makes an amusing appearance as a rival barber, a shame he too underused. But the biggest surprise comes courtesy of Ed Sanders playing the young boy, Toby. I cannot spoil the character for you as he is important, but the performance from the boy is simply stunning.
A lot of the reviews for the movie I have read have claimed that Sweeney Todd is a surprisingly violent film. Well obviously it was going to be a bit violent, the whole meat pies scenario hardly meant the film would be good for the squeamish. But its nowhere near as violent as people have made it out to be, the neck slicing isn't too bad, its only when the bodies go down the trap door I found a couple of moments a bit nasty. Anyway this movie is not about the violence at all, anyone who went to see this for their gore dosage deserves to be shot. This is a musical, in fact about 80% of the film is singing, and you know what I wouldn't want it any other way. Every song is amazing. By the Sea, My Friends, A Little Priest, they're all just so perfect. And the score itself is brilliantly grand and suits the movie superbly. When the organ kicked in when the Warner Brothers sign popped up I knew the score was going to be one of the best in a Burton movie for a long while. The movie also has a killer ending with a twist I actually didn't see coming, I knew nothing about the movie before hand and so wasn't even expecting a twist! Anyway the ending is pitch perfect and had me gripped. Even my Burton hating friend I saw this with fell in love with the movie just because of the ending. The movie also succeeds because despite its darkness, the film is also quite funny. Mrs Lovett has some great lines, and Depp reactions in By the Sea are priceless to watch. While this is extremely dark and hardly for the little kiddies, I guarantee you will still smile in the movie.
Sweeney Todd is a true masterpiece of cinema that I actually don't expect to be topped this year. It's the best musical I have ever seen and features such stunning songs and performances it left me speechless. Go and see this movie as soon as possible, you will not regret it!