Tricky

Rating: 7/10 (29 November 2008)

This is strictly Tim Burton's take on the stage musical "Sweeney Todd." As such, it is almost surrealistic in its retelling of the legend of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Johnny Depp as Todd has returned to London after 15 years away, having been shanghaied so that the local judge (Alan Rickman) can have his way with Todd's comely young wife. Todd keeps to the shadows as he plots his revenge, with the aid of a pie maker, Mrs. Lovett (Helena Carter), who remembers and adores him. The two are soon turning into meat pies all who enter Sweeney's chair, as Todd broods on how to get his razor around the judge's throat. The songs are imaginatively staged and sung, and Depp is as usual completely immersed in his character. He's a razor-wielding, hollow-eyed maniac with a mission. The throat cuttings are plentiful and shown in extreme closeup. The bodies then fall head-first with a sickening thud onto the cellar floor three stories below. This is more intense and realistic violence than Burton exhibited in SLEEPY HOLLOW, so those of weak constitutions beware. And definitely keep the kiddies away!