Review of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) by Ryan C — 22 Oct 2016

A magnificent achievement for director Tim Burton, "Sweeney Todd" is a bold and disturbing musical that stars Johnny Depp as the title character with a supporting cast to the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman. As another take on this musical, Burton's adaption includes an impressive control of cinematography along with highly entertaining song numbers and thrilling violence.

"Sweeney Todd" tells the gory tale of a barber who seeks revenge on the judge who took his wife and daughter away and locked him in prison. When Todd gets out, he sets out to kill the judge and pretty much anybody who gets in his way. Todd's partner-in-crime, Mrs. Lovett (Bonham Carter) not only helps him, but decides to "beef" up her homemade pies by cooking in the human flesh of the people Todd kills. The two begin a twisted business-relationship as they try to lure the judge in to get his beard trimmed and will kill him then.

There is a lot of bloodshed in this adaptation and sometimes the musical numbers seem to awkwardly start and end, but it's a beautifully dark film that should keep musical lovers happy as well as entertaining those who aren't. Seriously, even if you're generally not a fan of musicals, don't let that stop you. This isn't your standard musical.