How would you like your throat cut, sir?

Rating: 9/10 (25 February 2008)

The films of Tim Burton are always a gift from the heavens (the mediocre "Planet of the Apes" being the one notable exception), especially for horror fanatics, since they always strike a happy medium between mainstream production values and availability and yet always revolve on sinister topics. And if there ever was one story that literally begs to receive the typical Burton-treatment, it has got to be "Sweeney Todd". The gloomy Victorian setting, the continuous moody atmosphere, the depressing decors, the mentally tormented main characters and the unhinged depiction of shocking murders Â… all these aspects simply have Burton's name written all over them. Sure it's a musical, and this generally isn't considered to be die-hard horror fanatics' favorite genre, but even the smallest detail featuring in "Sweeney Todd" makes it damn clear the movie is primarily a genuine horror effort, and even one that is more revolting and macabre than most. Benjamin Barker once lived a life of true happiness. He was married to a beautiful woman with whom he had a cherubic baby girl and he was the most promising young barber in the whole of London. But then the malicious eminent Judge Tulpin spotted his wife and promptly ruined his whole existence. Barker got exiled and Tulpin literally claimed ownership of both his wife and daughter. Now, 15 long years later, Barker returns as a thoroughly embittered person going by the name Sweeney Todd and with only vengeance on his mind, particularly when he learns that his beloved wife poisoned herself and his daughter still lives imprisoned in Tulpin's house. Sweeney forms a diabolical alliance with the eccentric Mrs. Lovett. He cuts the throats of unsuspecting clients and she processes the bodies into meat pies unique in the whole of London. Naturally his rising stardom fetches the attention of Judge Tulpin and soon Sweeney Todd will be able to extract his long-anticipated blood vengeance, but in the meantime a whole lot of new complications arise. "Sweeney Todd" is a truly masterful accomplishment and I don't mind admitting I stared at the screen with my eyes, ears and mouth wide open throughout the entire playtime. I'm usually not a big fan of constant singing myself, but it never once bothered me here because the lyrics of the songs are as grim & disturbing as the plot itself and, moreover, the film is just breath taking to look at. I just found out "Sweeney Todd" won the Oscar for best art direction. This has got one of the best well-deserved awards ever handed out during this ceremony, as Burton's movie is almost like a Gothic nightmare coming to life on the big screen. The London streets and alleys never looked so ominous, the people never looked so uncanny and the political corruptness rarely appeared so convincing. Admittedly it takes a while before the blood starts flooding from random throats, but until then there's always the nightmarish atmosphere to keep you thrilled and, besides, the gore-soaked second half widely compensates for everything. The way those bodies came crashing down hard in Mrs.Lovett's cellar after having their throats slit wide open from ear to ear.... that's a real horror film, singing or no singing! The acting performances are flawless and perplexing, even though nobody really expected them to be. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are regular Tim Burton choices, but not at all obvious musical stars, even in spite of their semi-musical roles in "Corpse Bride". But still they both leave a big impression and also the (even less obvious) supportive players deliver stellar performances as well. A masterpiece.