This will be a super quick review, mostly because I am in no way an expert on musicals.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- this isn’t the first adaptation of the musical into movie form, there was one from the 80s starring Ben Kingsley (aka Gandhi). I haven’t scene it, and nobody has acknowledged it exists, so it couldn’t have been that great. There are probably others, but I am too lazy at this moment to go check imdb. This adaptation features another collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. If you like Johnny Depp, and at this point who doesn’t, you will probably enjoy this movie. It is actually a very cool story, and features some plot twists that I found amazing, even though its pretty easy to see them coming.
Being a Burton movie, obviously it looks insanely good and is a unique vision of a world that is completely and fully realized. As for the songs, I will admit I have a problem with most musicals. I can’t suspend my disbelief when someone just bursts into song for no reason. Also, I find most songs that are burst into are pointless, annoying, and do nothing to advance the story. I felt that way about almost all of the songs in this, and would have enjoyed this more if they could have somehow taken out the musical aspect, although that might not have been possible. I did enjoy the “I will have vengeance” song that was sung by Depp. I found it catchy.
One other thing I enjoyed, the casting of Alan Rickman (of Hans from Die Hard fame, HAAAAANNNS!). He is one of my villainous actors, yet he seems to be stuck on the Harry Potter movies which I refuse to see.
Rating – 7.5/10 (Probably lower than most because of my anti-musical bias)
Posted by tedbrogen 