So much more than a mere musical...

Rating: 10/10 (23 February 2008)

I just came back from watching Sweeney Todd (if you're wondering why I've only seen it now - I'm from Austria and the movie just came out this weekend).
I don't even know where to start! Well, I'll just begin with the singing. I've already heard a lot from the soundtrack before watching the movie tonight, but I was still completely awestruck by the performance of the actors. Johnny Depp (who is my favourite actor) has not only an amazing talent to act, but also - as many of you already stated - can sing wonderfully! Of course he doesn't always hit every note but he puts so much emotion in his every word and expression that you can just sit there open-mouthed and wonder how one man can do that to you. When he sang "Epiphany" I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen for even a second. The rage, the desperation, the disappointment of having lost the opportunity to kill the Judge - everything was just there in his voice, in his face and in his whole body. I felt for him in every scene - especially at the ending. I already knew from reading so much about Sweeney Todd before watching it that the Beggar woman was his wife and at the end when she was in his shop and he came in with his razor I immediately knew what was going to happen and I just muttered underneath my breath, "Oh my god, oh my god - don't do it!" And then, when he realized that he killed his wife I was near to tears. It is so tragic and ironic that he killed her after wanting nothing else than to avenge her... I really, really hope that Johnny Depp gets the Oscar this year (after being robbed of it for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow). He deserves it so much for this tragic and sad character he brought to life.
Helena Bonham Carter was also perfect in this role. I loved her voice - especially in "The Little Priest". Her vision about life at the sea was also too funny!
Ed Sanders was so adorable! I love him and I hope we'll see more of him in the next few years! I wanted to hug him and hold him when he sang about protecting Mrs. Lovett in "Not while I'm around". His performance was great!
And not to forget - Mr. Alan Rickman! God, there are no words to describe how much I love his voice! Not only when he sings (which he does very, very well) but also when he just talks. He has such a deep, sultry voice! I loved the scene where he and Johnny Depp sang "Pretty Women". Their voices sounded perfect together and the whole scene was thrilling - everyone was just waiting for Sweeney to slit his throat and the Judge just sat there not knowing what was coming - and then of course Anthony burst in and I didn't know if I should sigh in relief or be just as mad as Sweeney became after that.
The make-up and the cinematography were brilliant. I think everyone behind the scenes did an amazing job just as all the actors. Tim Burton really does know how to make dark movies with such black humour it leaves you cringing sometimes.
All in all I can only say that this is now my absolute favourite movie of all time! I was never overwhelmed this much before and I think a big part of the reason for that is that it's a musical! I pity everyone who doesn't watch this absolutely amazing, astonishing movie because it's a musical. It is so much more - believe me!