It's OK

Rating: 7/10 (12 January 2008)

Film version of the play. Based on fact it tells the story of a man (Johnny Depp) who is jailed (for no good reason) for 15 years. It was done by slimy Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) because he wanted his wife and child. 15 years later he returns, adopts the name Sweeney Todd and sets out for vengeance. He's helped by Nellie Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) who uses the meat from his victims to put into her meat pies which become VERY popular.
I saw the play back in 1980 with Angela Landsbury and George Hearn. I remember loving it and the acting was superb. This version just doesn't match up--it can't! Tim Burton correctly shoots it in seriously drained color and he gets a superb performance by Depp and young Ed Sanders (as Toby). Everybody can sing too. Also the murders are shown with blood gushing out--once onto the camera lens! Still it's impossible to take them seriously. Still this has its drawbacks. Carter is terrible--she can sing but her acting is pretty dreadful. Rickman has done the evil act once too often--and it shows. Also it's depressing! It wears you down running on for two full hours. Some songs were cut out too--I really miss "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd". So--it's not a disaster but it could have been so much better with a different leading lady and not cutting ANY of the songs. Depp really puts this film across though--for him alone I give this a 7.