Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

I was totally disapointed after the hype over this movie I thought it was total trash. At no stage did anyone tell me this was a musical and if I had that info I would not have brought it. I am a firm fan of Johnny Depps work but this movie has driven me past my limit. The only musical I like is THE SOUND OF MUSIC and I don't think the Von Trapp family cut anyones throut. Tim Burton you suck.

When I heard who was in this production I will admit I was hesitant to go see it on the big screen. I was therefore wonderfully surprised at the result. The acting, the costumes, the set designs, and the singing are great. This is the most true to the story production I have yet to sing and my favorite off all the versions I have seen and own. Treat yourself, this is great. Cudo's for all involved.

I sat all the way through this movie, the entire time wondering when it was going to get good. It didn't. I will confess that the music was very well written and quite beautiful -- which is why I'm rating this movie 2 stars instead of 1. But other than that, the whole thing was awful. The plot, the character development (or lack thereof), the lyrics -- all ridiculous. If you haven't seen it, I can sum it up in one sentence (spoiler warning): A wronged man comes back from his prison sentence, goes crazy and kills everyone, including his wife, and then is killed by his own blade. Oh, the irony.

Seriously, you can find a better use for this movie than to watch it. Set it on fire or something. It'll be more entertaining.

"Sweeny Todd" is a failure on far too many levels to merit the accolades it has garnered from the press. Its dark photography and over the top set design try to imbue the film with atmosphere, but the techniques employed are so self-conscious as to have the opposite effect. The result is a visually flat, monochromic film without flair or genuine imagination.

Johnny Depp's acting performance is the film's only saving grace, but a singer he is not. Then again, he is Pavarotti compared to the rest of the cast, especially Helena Bonham Carter, whose voice is so thin that she sounds like an ailing Minnie Mouse on helium. With her rat's nest hairdo, she looks like a female counterpart of Tim Burton, which is a shame since she is an exceptional actress and (otherwise)easy on the eye.

Tim Burton's direction is so clumsily stylized that it becomes a parody of itself. Ultimately, his helmsmanship gives us a film with all the dramatic tension of a Viagra commercial. Speaking of which, there is no hint of chemistry between Depp and Bonham Carter, which ultimately renders their evil collaboration meaningless and as flat as the rest of the film. Blood is no substitute for cinematic skill. Leave to gore to George A. Romero, who does it with flair and style, two characteristics "Sweeny Todd" lacks in spades.

However, if you enjoy camp or merely suffer chronic insomnia, "Sweeny Tood" may be just the film for you.

I'm kind of torn with this movie.
On one hand I liked it.
On the other, the damn songs drove me crazy.
Then again, I haven't been able to get the songs out of my head since seeing the movie.
Hmmmmm............
This is the first musical I've seen, the closest is the old Disney movies that had a ton of singing and I didn't like those.
I never saw Chicago or the other big ones.
Only Tim Burton could have pulled this off.
My favorite scene was when they were down by the ocean. Totally surreal!!!!!!!
I think I would have liked it better if the singing would have been eliminated.
Then again, it's what makes the movie so unique.
How many musicals are in the horror genre? Zero!!!!
Try to imagine Jason from Friday the 13th running after some girl while she's singing!!!!!!!!!!
Um..........It might be amusing, but it wouldn't be very scary.
Somehow Sweeny pulls it off. Musical and very disturbing.
I'm going to recommend this movie because it's so odd and so disturbing.
Very original, it's one of Depp's and Burton's finest moments.
NOT APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS!!!!!!!!
For adults, recommended.