Plucky and pretty, but not good

Rating: 5/10 (5 February 2008)

I'm not at all shocked at the rave reviews on this site, as Tim Burton has a rabid fan base. Most of the time I'd agree. I love Tim Burton movies, because they are visually appealing to me. Now, I recognize that the movie is based on the play and not the actual real life story of Sweeney Todd, but I guess I expected good old Timmy not to pander to Hollywood/Broadway/the establishment in general, and get with the truly awesome story of the real deal. Or at least bring it close, but he got a little too fairy tale.
Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp both look absurdly, obviously evil in the movie to the point that a blind man could call it. The poor continuity involved in the setup of the house aside, the real story of dragging the bodies around the catacombs under the city and giving them to his girlfriend is much darker and more befitting. Killing her (Mrs. Pruett) at the end is just a cheap way to cover the gap and end the film without figuring out how he gets caught, because that element in the true story has been abandoned. Maybe I have just come to expect more from Mr Burton, but I would say that the film just lacks credibility.