Depp can't sing

Rating: 7/10 (25 April 2008)

Tim Burton is not a fan of musicals and it shows. The leads were cast before they were able to sing their parts. In particular, Johnny Depp (Sweeny Todd) can just barely get by musically, and most of the other actors in this show can do no better. The only people I liked listening to were Cohen (Pirelli, and utterly unlike Borat) and Sanders (Toby the boy). Everything visual in this production is marvelous...although I do wish the blood looked more like blood. The acting...I don't know acting well enough to fault it anywhere. Helena Bonham Carter...well,she's just draws one in, wanting to see what she'll do next. Considering this is her first singing role, wow. Her voice keeps the movie from falling flat. A quick check on Wikipedia reveals that about half the songs from the musical were cut for the movie. That's my main feeling after seeing this: what would the complete show, with professional singers be like. I bet it's good. But I'm not sure I'll get around to making a special trip and shelling out $75 a ticket. 7/10