Tim's unique vision is brought to life with Logan's script and Depp's performance!

Rating: 9/10 (4 January 2008)

I've never seen the play so I did not know what to expect from Sweeny Todd. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, I had a feeling that it was going to be something out of the ordinary. Now that I have seen the movie, it was unusual and even bizarre; however, I really got a kick out of the two hours.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a simple tale about a man named Barker (Johnny Depp) who is wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit, which was plotted by an evil judge (Alan Rickman) who wanted Barber's wife for his own.
Fifteen years later, Barker returns with the alias Sweeney Todd and seeks vengeance for the man who wronged him with the help of his landlady Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bohman Carter).
The direction by Tim Burton and the script by John Logan deliver a sheer genius movie with vivid characterization and a fresh tale of murder, vengeance, and implications of cannibalism. This is a very dark and gruesome movie; it is definitely not a one for the squeamish. Sweeney at ease slits the throats of his victims and drops the bodies down a trapdoor, leaving them for his accomplice so to get rid of the evidence.
Simultaneously though, I found some of the violence rather comical. The blood squirts and sprays profusely in gallons at a time from the slit throats as if a bottle of red cool aid was cut open. It was overdone in a funny, but a disgusting way like in Kill Bill Vol. 1. Nonetheless, it was bit of the top for me, particularly at the tragic ending.
The set-decoration, costumes, and make up were absolutely exquisite. The cinematography set the dark and grim atmosphere of the tale of vengeance and the music was downright fantastic. It flowed with the film's plot and shaped its tone. Unlike The Sound of Music, which carried the same cheerful and uplifting sound, the music for this film had several different tunes to it. It was haunting, dramatic, suspenseful, and even at times upbeat. I enjoyed all the songs, particularly "The Worst Pies in London" and "Pretty Women".
Once again, Johnny Depp shines as among one of Hollywood's most influential actors. Honestly, there has not been a role of his that I did not like. But I have to say though that this a bit of a different role for Mr. Depp. From the movies I have seen him in like the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy he plays the guy that is lovable. In this, I liked his character not because he was a hero or funny, but due to how scary he was. The intense and insane look in his eyes as the vengeful Sweeney gives me memories of Jack Nicholson in The Shining. He is brilliant as Sweeney, a guy who no one would want to cross.
However, since this is a musical, Depp reveals that he wouldn't be the next star on American Idol. Rather than singing, he speaks and shouts with the melody. At least he tried though. The other really impressive performance was by Helena Bohman Carter as Mrs. Lovett. Her character is the exact opposite of Depp: likable, very humorous, and has a pleasant singing voice. Alan Rickman was also another nice addition to the movie. He's always played a great villain, and he was definitely a good one in this movie.
I'm highly impressed with this movie. But I give it a 9/10 due to Johnny Depp's lack of singing talent and the over the top violence.