The greatest film ever made?

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2012)

It's difficult to tell you what my favourite film is because I have so many that I admire and they're all quite different. Depending on my mood I might tell you that Black Swan is my favourite film, or that Kill Bill is, but mostly I'll tell you that Sweeney Todd is. I've lost count the amount of times I've seen Sweeney Todd and I can't tell you how much I was addicted to it when I first saw it. I'd be singing all the songs, always watching the film, quoting from it. Thankfully, I'm not quite so obsessed with it now, but it will always be in my heart.
Now, I hate musicals. I thought I'd start off by telling you that because you might read that it's a musical and be instantly struck off. I find that songs drag the film down, slowing the pace and being just unnecessary! They're also unnecessarily cheery like in The Sound of Music or Dancin' in the Rain. Sweeney Todd is a completely different type of beast. Have you ever heard a song about cannibalism before? About vengeance and murder? I have and they're incredible! There's not one song out of place in Sweeney Todd and it's pure lyrical genius from Stephen Soundheim. They're also undeniably catchy and memorable, unlike Singin' in the Rain's songs for example. Some huge numbers really capture the scope of the film, whilst the smaller ones bring it down to a personal and more human level. You seriously do not need to worry if you hate musicals!
Sweeney Todd opens with the greatest title sequence in history. It completely captures the mood of the film and lets you know that this is Tim Burton's work! Like all great films it the look of the film is utterly breath taking. Blacks are blacker than black and colour rarely shines through. It's completely moody and stylistic, capturing the tone of the film perfectly and casting a beautifully melancholic atmosphere over the film. The incredible sets are heart-stopping to look at at times and it never fails to give me chills when Sweeney picks up his razor, holds it to the huge window and says, "At last my arm is complete again!"
But this isn't Avatar! It isn't all visual and no brain. Sweeney Todd's story is absolutely masterful. Like all the best story's, it's about revenge, revenge on the evil judge who locked him up and stole his wife and child. Not many films can easily achieve making you sympathise with a serial killer, but here you can. He's a tragic character who you can't help but feel sorry for and want to see him get his revenge. It also thrives off of its wonderful characters played impeccably by everyone. Of course johnny Depp steals the show with his power house performance and surprisingly strong voice. Helena Bonham Carter adds a well-needed female touch and humour to the role, Alan Rickman is perfect menacing as the judge, Timothy Spall does his mincing incredibly well as the BEadle and Sacha baron Cohen shows that he really can act as the wonderfully extravagant Pirelli!
Tim's directing is also as perfect as everything else in the film. Some breathtaking camera shots really propel the film into a league of its own. Equally the costumes are beautiful and highly memorable. The whole film is likely one you're never forget and never forgive yourself for not going to see! It all builds up to an incredible finale that tugs hard at your heart strings and has you gasping in shock. It's one of the best endings I've ever seen and leaves a very large print on you.
With an incredible score bellowing throughout, Sweeney Todd is one of those rare films that are just perfect! If there was any justice in the world Sweeney Todd should've won best picture, best director, best screenplay, best music, best actor, best actress, best cinematography, best costumes, best set design etc. at the Oscars! It's a cinematic masterpiece which is spectacular to look at and to listen to. Pick this up on blu-ray and at last your arm will be complete again!