Review of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) by Kim J — 24 Mar 2013

Tim Burton's latest is a potent and delectable blend of music, murder, and mayhem. I've never been big on musicals, but this one does have plenty of other estimable factors going for it. First off, some great performances, starting with Helena Bohnam-Carter's criminally overlooked by the.

Academy performance as Mrs. Lovett. She's lovely, she's desperate, she's demented; it's not everyday that you can sympathize with a cannibal. Johnny Depp is great as always, though I have to add this isn't the best work he's done with Tim Burton. Both leads aren't the most versatile or clean-cut singers, but being the great actors that they are, you can feel the pain, madness, and even humor in their various showpieces. Sacha Baron-Cohen's extended cameo is nothing short of brilliant, and Alan Rickman and the rest of the supporting cast are top-notch. Another reason to watch it?...The production design is amazing. The film does have its slow moments, and some of the songs work better than others, but throughout Tim Burton keeps a dark, humorous, and maddening tone. I'd give him a Best Director nomination over Jason Reitman any day! So yeah, if you've ever wondered what a musical about a serial killer barber and a cannibalistic pastry shop would be like, here's your chance! It probably won't get much better than this.