Director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride) has always been known for making bizarre, surreal looking films. He always pushes for a distinct look to his films. It is this vision that makes “Sweeney Todd� one of...
[+] Read Full Review

Director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride) has always been known for making bizarre, surreal looking films. He always pushes for a distinct look to his films. It is this vision that makes “Sweeney Todd� one of Burton’s best efforts yet. The set designs, costumes, and art all have a gothic feel, with some twists to the traditional gothic that make it look like nothing anyone has seen before. But it is not just the look of the film that makes it a success. Sweeney Todd is amazing accomplishment for film and may mark the return of the musical. Johnny Depp plays Benjamin Barker, a barber who was unjustly exiled from London by a judge who lusted after Barker’s wife. Fifteen years later Benjamin Barker returns under the name Sweeney Todd, and he is out for revenge. As a barber, he lures the people who had hurt him to his chair and slits their throats. He teams up with Mrs. Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter) who then uses the bodies to make the meat pies. The characters feel real, and that is what makes the performances great. There is never good or bad guy. The audience does not know who to root for, and that is a major accomplishment of the film. If the synopsis of the film does get the point across, Sweeney Todd is very dark. It filled with murder and dark themes, but it has a whimsical sense of comedy to it. Burton uses copious amounts of blood that shoots across the screen and Depp and Bonham-Carter have the timing to make a grisly situation funny. And that comedy drives the film, but underneath it is a somber and sweet story that makes its way through by the end of the film when the audience realizes the true themes of the movie. When the credits roll, the audience really feels something in their heart.
The film is based on a Stephen Sondheim musical, and it shows. The music is brilliantly orchestrated and every actor uses a singing voice that matches the character. The tunes are catching and are a brilliant contrast to the dark setting of the film. Sondheim was in contact with Burton throughout production of the, and because of this, the film strikes a perfect balance between honoring the musical and bringing the audience something new.
There no doubt that “Sweeney Todd� will win a few Oscars at the Academy Awards this year. The acting, directing, music, and artistic designs are near flawless. It will go down as the best Broadway play to film adaptation and may be one of the best musicals ever made.

Director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride) has always been known for making bizarre, surreal looking films. He always pushes for a distinct look to his films. It is this vision that makes “Sweeney Todd� one of...
[+] Read Full Review

Director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride) has always been known for making bizarre, surreal looking films. He always pushes for a distinct look to his films. It is this vision that makes “Sweeney Todd� one of Burton’s best efforts yet. The set designs, costumes, and art all have a gothic feel, with some twists to the traditional gothic that make it look like nothing anyone has seen before. But it is not just the look of the film that makes it a success. Sweeney Todd is amazing accomplishment for film and may mark the return of the musical. Johnny Depp plays Benjamin Barker, a barber who was unjustly exiled from London by a judge who lusted after Barker’s wife. Fifteen years later Benjamin Barker returns under the name Sweeney Todd, and he is out for revenge. As a barber, he lures the people who had hurt him to his chair and slits their throats. He teams up with Mrs. Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter) who then uses the bodies to make the meat pies. The characters feel real, and that is what makes the performances great. There is never good or bad guy. The audience does not know who to root for, and that is a major accomplishment of the film. If the synopsis of the film does get the point across, Sweeney Todd is very dark. It filled with murder and dark themes, but it has a whimsical sense of comedy to it. Burton uses copious amounts of blood that shoots across the screen and Depp and Bonham-Carter have the timing to make a grisly situation funny. And that comedy drives the film, but underneath it is a somber and sweet story that makes its way through by the end of the film when the audience realizes the true themes of the movie. When the credits roll, the audience really feels something in their heart.
The film is based on a Stephen Sondheim musical, and it shows. The music is brilliantly orchestrated and every actor uses a singing voice that matches the character. The tunes are catching and are a brilliant contrast to the dark setting of the film. Sondheim was in contact with Burton throughout production of the, and because of this, the film strikes a perfect balance between honoring the musical and bringing the audience something new.
There no doubt that “Sweeney Todd� will win a few Oscars at the Academy Awards this year. The acting, directing, music, and artistic designs are near flawless. It will go down as the best Broadway play to film adaptation and may be one of the best musicals ever made.