Sweeney Todd

Viewer Rating:foxyred has rated Sweeney Todd rating: 3 Star

I love a good musical, but Sweeny Todd left me feeling empty. After the hype and talk of an epic, i had high expectations, I like gothic, I like Depp and Bonham Carter, but somehow nothing seemed to fit for me.The Detail in production design and sets is exquisite from the off. The movie begins with a young handsome Depp,being attacked and dragged off to Oz, so that evil judge Turpin (the once again typecast Allan Rickman) can have his wicked way with Todd's beautiful wife. Todd then returns, years later, unrecognisable(:-)) due to the gothic black eyes the makeup artist has poorly applied! , his love apparently dead. Todd meets his nemisis (Rickman) who of course doesn't recognise him as the man he wronged, but, being rich and vain sends his henchman (the again typecast human gargoyle Timothy Spall) to check out the talents of the new barber in town. Todd seeks very bloody revenge on those who wronged him with the assistance of Bridget Jones style Pie maker Mrs Lovett(Bonham Carter). Depp's vocals are Bowiesque, and surprisingly good, but the connection between Todd and Lovett is lacklustre and forced. The songs in a musical are supposed to convey the emotions of the characters while moving the story along, but when it came to the bloody conclusion i just didn't care enough about any of the characters journeys as i'd been thoroughly depressed by the songs! Worth seeing for the Great sets and attention to detail, but the casting of wives and buddies has become predictable and boring. There are loads of talented actors and actresses out there Mr Burton, broaden your horizons!

Review published on the 16 July 2008 01:00