I guarantee you will have the closest shave you've ever known

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2007)

I have always been an avid lover of Stephen Sondheim, especially the musical theatre Sweeney Todd. At first, as I presume many people were, I was skeptical of the ability of the cast in their vocal performance. Let me just say that their voices, though not the 'best' in the world, fit the characters perfectly. Also, the casting was marvelous and I do not think that better pairs and people could have been chosen. It is hard to follow suite of Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, George Hearn and Len Cariou, but I think Depp and Carter both blow the socks off of the watcher and listener.
The eyes are also given a stimulating roller coaster ride with the amazing color differences, stunning cinematography and intriguing mind puzzles that are displayed throughout.
Though I know the musical well, I was still able to be at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I was still just as emotional stirred during the infamous Johanna and Not While I'm Around. I was also shocked, once again, when Sweeney kills his beloved Lucy. Even more though, when Mrs. Lovett is thrown into the fire, your heart aches and burns. How tragic it is when Toby, such a young and innocent boy slits Sweeney. There could have not been a better drastic and traumatic way to end the movie then to have Sweeney mixing blood with his "vengence" (aka his wife).
What a remarkable movie it is that draws your attention to minute detailing in the background and costumes; a movie that keeps you guessing whilst squirming at the same time; a movie where your heart is pulled.
Many movie musicals keep to the original stage feeling where chorus and dance numbers occur on a "stage" of some sort. Sweeney Todd breaks all of these barriers. It is hard to believe that this originated on Broadway. Tim Burton does bring back some of the same "stage" choreography with the "At last my arm is complete again," "These are the worst pies in London" beatings, "We'll serve anyone...at all" butcher knife and rolling pin stance etc...
This movie is nominated for some Golden Globes. There have been many movies that qualify and even can win for the ones that Sweeney Todd is nominated for. It is, however, not very often when a movie is able to be an 'art form' and also an engaging visual experience.