Very Disappointing

Rating: 4/10 (18 February 2008)

Contrary to all the enthusiastic reviews of this films, I have to strongly disagree (as would most of the people I know who have seen it!). OK so I assume it's fair to say that usually you can take the winning combination of Burton and Depp and be guaranteed a hit. I had expected so before I gave my cash to the Odeon... but no. This film was a vast disappointment and I left feeling quite angry. The problem? The "singing". Are there any clearly defined songs? Few. Memorable ones? None. It's almost like a 3 year old's tapped something out on a xylophone and then Dad's written lyrics to be spoken randomly over the top in a hurry because he wants to watch the game. It feels pointless, tedious, unskilled and just plain never ending! This is the first time for a long time that all three of us in the cinema were sitting there tapping our feet and sighing as the soundtrack would not give us a break through the entire nightmare. Looks were exchanged after about 3/4 hour that clearly said, "Let's go and find some food instead? I can't believe we just paid for this!" Then a small smattering of actual dialogue and you can exhale and smile and all's OK, until thirty seconds later you're back smacking your head against the chair in front as Todd's wailing about his blades and holding them aloft again. We are not with you on this one mate...
This said, it does not denote the quality of the visuals, production or cast itself. The trouble is is weighs heavily over it. Visually this is Tim Burton at his best, the world created is stunning and pleasurable and certainly does not disappoint. The casting is fine, getting a little tedious perhaps but perfectly acceptable and enjoyable. The acting is unquestionably good and the effort put in to the musical side of it is also clearly given on their part. The ending was not good (no spoiler) and not even vaguely accurate to what the story is 'believed' to be, which in a way was a shame because it would have improved the conclusion vastly!
BUT (and this would be by summary sentence on this film) this should NOT have been turned into a pseudo-musical. If Mr Burton had stuck with what he had known it may not have been so err... Oscar-worthy in pretension terms but it would have been thoroughly enjoyable and i'd now be giving it an 8/10. A real shame.