Rated: R
Running Time: Almost 2 Hours
Year: 2007
Boobs: Zero
One Sentence: Have a very bloody Christmas.
Lately Tim Burton has been a total let down. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was horrible, Planet of the Apes might have been even worse, and I personally didn't like Big Fish. I know a lot of other people did however. So when you have a musical, horrorish movie come out based on a Broadway musical, there is going to be some questions about if he can direct this type of film, and the actors can sing this type of film.
The previews look stunning with Johnny filling the shoes of Sweeny Todd as well as anyone could. A supporting cast of Helena Bonham Carter, Sasha Baron Cohen and Alan Rickman make for a weird back up to the king of character acting. They all together do not seem like they could carry a tune, let alone be able to execute the power and emotion needed for this type of movie. It seems like the only thing going for it is Tim's ability to pull in the darkness and wonderful art direction into something visually amazing.
So how was it? Bloody, funny, dark, and sung in an ok way. This is no Chicago, it is not even a Hairspray as far as quality of music, and power of presentation of that music, but where it lacks in those parts it makes up for in other areas. Turn of the century London is a visual masterpiece. All characters and casting was perfection, each character brought their part of the story together and made it work, even without the music. The dark character Sweeny Todd, and his bloodlust are portrayed perfectly by Depp, and I could not ask for anything more.
Oddly the movie is at times tounge and cheek. It is humorous in it's darkness. We are met with scenes of death that will actually make you laugh out loud. I am not sure if this was intended, but in the end we are not as weighed down with the tragic story, because getting to the end at times, was quite funny. I think however this movie is going to be lost on the mainstream audience. I think it is a good movie, but I am not sure that you want to go see it. This one is up to you.
I cannot wait to see it, hopefully it is great, I need my faith in Burton to be restored, he is a legend, but he has made some shockers in the past, like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Johnny Depp is the most versatile actor of his generation, and I think he could get an Oscar nomination for this film, if he is as good as I have heard. Lucky you, at least you got to see it.
Well then have fun seeing it this weekend
I would pick it over Walk Hard (review tomorrow)
I wish I could, but I live in South Africa, and guess when our *fabulous* cinemas are releasing Sweeney…February 22….of 2008, how much does that suck! I am looking forward to your review of Walk Hard, I have heard it is pretty funny stuff.