Epiphany

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2008)

I have read a variety of different reviews about this film. It got decent reviews from critics, and overall decent reviews from viewers, but there have been a few scathing comments mixed in. I personally feel this movie was excellently done.
While Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are not the best singers out there, they make up for it with their superb acting. Depp was very good as Sweeney Todd, portraying the character with a perfect level of darkness, while managing humor several times (Pirelli's Miracle Elixir). Bonham Carter was very funny as Mrs. Lovett, but also strange and slightly desperate for Todd's love, which was great. Besides this, neither of them WAS too bad as a singer. Actually, I enjoyed Depp's singing. Bonham Carter's wasn't great, but it also wasn't painful. I think it's an "acquired taste". Also, Depp and Bonham Carter interacted well together on screen. Past experience together was a plus in this case.
The other characters (Judge Turpin, Beadle, Antony, Johanna, Toby) were also played by wonderful actors. Alan Rickman's Judge was threatening but also slightly weak for "Pretty Women". Timothy Spall's Beadle was sniveling, sneering, and extremely convincing. My mom even remarked that he looked like he truly belonged to the era. The younger three sides were actually the best singers in the cast. Jamie Campbell Bower has a great voice, possibly the best out of all of them. Jayne Wisener is a very pretty girl, and her voice is nice, but I think it's another "acquired taste". When I was watching the movie, her song "Green Finch and Linnett Bird" was tiresome and her voice was a little shaky. However, when I bought the soundtrack and listened to it, I found I loved her song, and it is one of my favorites. Ed Sanders was the most surprising talent in the cast. His Toby was sweet and earnest and yet scarred. I LOVE him during "Not While I'm Around". And I didn't even mention Sacha Baron Cohen's role as Signor Adolfo Pirelli. Two words "Great casting." Yes, a very good cast came together to make this movie.
I love the direction of the film, too. It wasn't at all choppy, very smoothly done. Great scenery. I love the way the colors were so dark, so the few colorful moments really stood out. The blood was good, just enough over-the-top so it wasn't too disgusting, but not too fake, either.
Overall, a great movie. I would give it nine or ten stars if only the singing had been a little better. Then again, if Depp and Bonham Carter hadn't been cast, would the acting side of the movie been as good? I doubt it.