Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

[Cathy_Quinn]

Hi all, Karl and I saw Sweeney Todd last night, here's my review (shouldn't give too much away).

Well slap my ass and call me Judy, this is the best film I’ve seen in ages (and I loved I Am Legend!) I generally find Tim Burton’s direction to be somewhat hit and miss, but this was a work of real artistry (are you listening Chris Weitz, you talentless cock?). Music by Sondheim was utterly fantastic. Now for the cast:

Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd) – a truly beautiful man, I love his facial expressions, perfectly subtle for a film actor. He also held a very good English accent and exhibited a lovely singing voice (my first thought was that they should have cast him as The Phantom but don’t know if he has the range) gorgeous tones to his voice and a sexy Bowie-ish quality too! Love him :-)

Helena Bonham-Carter (Mrs Lovett) – an excellent performance also, she brought a sort of Lady Macbeth type interpretation to the role which was powerful and despite her behaviour you can’t help but feel for the character. Also a talented singer. Thumbs up.

Laura-Michelle Kelly (Lucy / Beggar Woman) – Yaaay Laura-Michelle is in movies now! I’ve seen her in Whistle Down The Wind, Les Miserables, My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins in the West End (you guessed it – I’m a fan) and it was fantastic to see her get this opportunity. Very good supporting performance.

Ed Sanders (Toby) – I’m always suspicious of children in movies (still reeling from the abominations that were Dakota Blue Richards and Ben Walker in The Golden Compass) and children singing, but Ed Sanders almost stole the show (well, movie). A brilliant actor, he showed that he actually understood his character and has a lovely lyric singing voice that I intensely hope is nurtured into adulthood. Definitely one to watch.

Alan Rickman (Judge Turpin) – In shocking news, Alan Rickman plays a villain :-P perfectly competent and very watchable performance, but really nothing new (apart from singing which, while competent, lacked the wow factor of Depp and Bonham-Carter). Conclusion: Good, but not great.

Jayne Wisener (Johanna) – She has the right look for the role, very pure and innocent with a good lyric soprano singing voice to match. It is difficult to say whether she can act as the role by nature was not particularly challenging. All in all a good performance though.

Jamie Campbell Bower (Anthony) – Good voice, good actor, I’m sure he’s a nice bloke…but he’s clearly a weasel. Sorry mate.

Sacha Baron Cohen (Pirelli) – An appropriate over-the-top performance as an arrogant rival barber, good stuff.

A highly recommended night at the flicks…if you don’t mind a lot of blood.

[spiderfrommars]

"I will have my veangeancccccceeeeee!"

I thought it was a masterpiece, and Burton's best since Ed Wood.

[IronHide]

Was disappointed. Went in thinking it was gonna be a slasher film....then it turned into a musical.

[Kaylee]

Was disappointed. Went in thinking it was gonna be a slasher film....then it turned into a musical.

Sweeney Todd is a musical

[Cathy_Quinn]

Yes, I had a similar experience when I went to see Hairspray and oddly enough, it wasn't a cosmetic commercial!

[IronHide]

Was disappointed. Went in thinking it was gonna be a slasher film....then it turned into a musical.

Sweeney Todd is a musical

Again....just thought it was going to be a new slasher film with Depp and Burton.

Had no idea it was a musical.....therefore, was disappointed.