Burton creates Masterpiece from Sondheim's Classic

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2007)

It's impossible for me to fathom somebody not liking Sweeney Todd, although I know there will be plenty who can't appreciate pure genius. Listen to this idea for a movie: Sweeney Todd is a man set on avenging his wife and daughter by killing Judge Turpin. Along the way, he slits people's throats and his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, grinds the bodies up and bakes them in her popular meat pies. It's a horror movie, but it also has a dark comedic edge to it with a fair bit of romance, drama, suspense, and with about it. Oh, and it's a musical.
Sweeney Todd is done in the style of old 1930s monster movies. The color is mostly drained from the film, leaving it looking like a black and white, which is perfect! The only color that does pop up is bright red. The movie feels like a classic, with bits of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' and 'The Avengers' added in, the story truly becomes gripping and the characters more complex. I've often criticized Tim Burton for lack of character development. With this film, Burton shows that he truly can dive into a character. I haven't seen characters this intrigueing in a long time.
The plotting and pacing is ingenious, the acting is superb. Johnny Depp gives a brilliant performance as always, but Helena Bonham Carter truly outdoes herself. She plays a woman desperately in love with a psychopath. She knows that he could endanger her life, yet she follows him blindly. Tragically, she chooses him, who doesn't love her, over somebody with true genuine love and protectiveness over her. Alan Rickman is remarkably cunning as Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall, engaging as always as The Beadle. Sacha Baron Cohen makes a great turn as Pirelli, a rival barber, and the two newcomers, Jamie Cambell Bower as Anthony, and Jayne Weisner as Johanna are romantic and thrilling. Laura Michelle Kelly also give a terrific performance.
Sweeney Todd is Tim Burton's best film. There's not one loose screw here. The ending is tragic, and rightly so. Sweeney will not be what some people expected, but for many it will be a thrillingly new experience that will forever touch them emotionally. Sweeney Todd is the best film of 2007.