Title: Sweeney Todd (2007)
Genre: Musical
Rating: R (Bloody Violence)
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jaime Campbell Bower
My Take
Tim Burton and Johhny Depp have done it again. They have made a unique movie that appeals to the masses, and Sweeney Todd might be their best movie to date. Let me begin by saying I don't like musicals, and in fact I hate musicals generally speaking. The only musical I liked before Sweeney Todd was Sound of Music. Sweeney Todd is a musical, but it is not your typical musical. Of course with Burton and Depp you know you are getting anything but typical. In any musical, vocals and soundtrack are essential and it was rock solid in Sweeney Todd. Depp proves again with his singing in this movie he is the most diverse actor of his time. I think Depp has the ability to take on any role and make it fantastic. The story in Sweeney Todd was told in a brilliant way and kept me engaged throughout. The nature of the story is grotesque, but somehow Burton was able to make light of even the darkest of situations. I think this is part of what I liked so much about the movie. It has lots of bloody violence, which keeps me from recommending this to anyone and everyone.
Unfortunately for those who can't stomach bloody violence, you can't simply close your eyes at a certain spot because the blood is frequent and not always predictable. That said, the blood is not realistic, and it is so over the top that it is comical. I found myself laughing hysterically during much of the movie. Depp was not the only actor of note in Sweeney Todd. Alan Rickman also put in a solid performance as well as several others. The reason I know this is a good movie is because I have been thinking about it even days after I've watched it. I want to watch it again, and I rarely watch movies twice. I even own some movies that I've only seen once. When I woke up this morning and started shaving I started singing... "Pretty women..." Thankfully I didn't cut myself shaving. I don't know that I can ever go to a barber again. I don't know how exactly, but once again Burton and Depp have made something of a masterpiece that only they could pull off. The bloody violence could keep some away, but there was no nudity or sexual situations and minimal bad language to speak of, so it was generally clean if you take away the blood. I strongly recommend this movie. I will watch it again.
Popcorn Rating
Movie Theater Popcorn
