film: review

> SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Directed by: Tim Burton

Written by: John Logan (screenplay) Stephen Sondheim (musical)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman

Genre: Drama, Musical/Performing Arts, Thriller and Adaptation

Our Rating: 7/10

Let’s face it, director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp are a perfect match for one another. Burton gets a hot actor always willing to take risks and Depp gets to play the most bizarre characters he could ever imagine. Here Depp’s “Sweeney” feels the closest to their collaboration in Edward Scissorhands, and that’s a good thing. Though in this dark, bloody, and oftentimes funny musical (easily the strangest I’ve ever seen in cinema form) the big question is not “can Johnny play a murderous psycho barber?” but “can he hold a tune?” Turns out he’s not too shabby. And neither is Helena Bonham Carter, who is another great match for Burton’s films (and a personal favorite of mine). But it helps that the source material is so off the wall, as I think otherwise their skills would have been seriously stretched.

I enjoyed all the bloodletting and the grimy look and feel, but there were a few things that bothered me that kept the movie from greatness. Without spoiling anything, the story follows the title character as he returns to London to get revenge. There’s one key villain who Sweeney has his blades set on the whole movie and when their final meeting comes it’s not given proper time and ultimately felt insignificant to me in the final bloody shuffle. I liked Sacha Baron Cohen’s brief scenes but was annoyed by the love story and songs of side characters “Anthony” and “Johanna”. I probably won’t buy the movie when it’s released just so I don’t have to ever hear them again. All-in-all though I would say any fan of Tim Burton will have plenty to love here. It hasn’t been too long since they last worked together, but it’s a real treat to see Johnny Depp playing to his darker roots back off the pirate ship.

I saw this film at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theatres on Peach Street in Erie, PA. Click for showtimes.

related links:
Sweeney Todd - official site

MPAA rating: R
for graphic bloody violence

length: 1hr., 57min.