Another Burton Gothic masterpiece.

Rating: 8/10 (8 April 2010)

There's a hole in the world like a great black pit, and the vermin of the world inhabit it, and it's morals aren't worth what a pin can spit". - Sweeney Todd
I couldn't have said it any better, or any worse. This lyric, sung by Sweeney Todd during his intro to the film, not only sets the theme of the movie, but also offers insight into a man beaten, jaded and tormented by societies' ill will. Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) is such a man--one who's back-story is so horrifying that it dares you to not empathize with him, begging the question: How far will one go in the name of revenge?
On a lighter note, there is a lot of spirited singing. Based on the musical of the same name, "Sweeney Todd; The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is the most recent vision of Tim Burton--a director who's been fascinated by the musicals' macabre sensibilities since the early 80's. And no one does macabre like Tim Burton. Much like Hitchcock films were branded "Hitchcokian" for their uniquely brilliant style, this film is undoubtedly Burton's most "burtonesque". So, as a huge fan of Burton's Gothic masterpieces {Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Sleepy Hollow}, and having no problem with his uh, burtonesqueity, this film is more than a welcomed return to his dark morose side after his slight deviation from it over the last 8 years.
This in mind, Burton, in his Gothic element, does not fail to deliver. But, given the fact that world of the original play was such a perfect fit for Burton, re-creating the gloomy universe seemed less of a case of inspiration, as much as it was an exercise in humble restraint and modest eccentric touches. Thankfully, Burton makes a wise choice to take somewhat of back seat to an actor's film. And, rest assured, "Sweeney Todd" is an actors film. As for the major players, Johnny Deep once again proves he can do anything by singing all his songs while giving another top notch performance. Sasha Baron Cohen and Helen Bonham Carter also do an amazing job of balancing their singing an acting. Yet the most impressive thing about the film is the pacing and maintenance of the original play's story line.
Indeed, the storyline, much like Todd himself, maintains a thematic-focus on the old adage: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind". It reveals the cyclical nature of corruption; moralistically asking to refrain from apathetically disregarding others, but more importantly, it reveals the 'black pit' that humanity is capable of creating...which makes serving human meat pies a just desert. Get it?....No? Fine.