Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was released on December 21, 2007, and is the first major film adaption of the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, by Stephen Sondheim, based on the original play of the same name by Christopher Bond. It was directed by Tim Burton, written by John Logan, and stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Laura Michelle Kelly, Jayne Wisener, and Ed Sanders.
I saw this film once before, roughly a year ago. I didn't like it then, I didn't like it now. Here's why. Tim Burton cannot adapt stuff. He tries to make everything dark, when it's supposed to be light. Yes, Alice in Wonderland has all this psychological stuff underneath it, but it's was presented in a light-hearted matter. And that's why people like it lighthearted, because it's a contrast with the darker psychological stuff underneath. You're probably wondering, does American McGee's Alice not work either? No, that does work, because it brings the psychological stuff underneath to the forefront, creating a totally different, but good, experience. Burton's adaptions are just pure crap. The only exception is Batman, and without studio interference, it would've been much worse, like Batman Returns. His original ideas are always genius. They're dark, they're quirky, they're just plain fun. I think out of all his original films, my favourite would have to be Ed Wood. It's a great portrayal of the worst director of all time, and a rather beautiful film. But enough about Tim Burton, let's get to the film.
Like I said, I don't like this film. Mostly because the people that can act, can't sing, and the people that can sing, can't act. The only exception to this is Sacha Baron Cohen. He can both sing, and act. However, Johnny Depp can't sing very well. Helena Bonham Carter can't sing. I love Helena Bonham Carter, but she's not a very good singer. Alan Rickman can't sing. Timothy Spall can't sing. Jamie Campbell Bower can sing, but he can't act very well. Ed Sanders can sing, but he can't act very well. Another big problem I had with the film has to be the love story between Anthony and Johanna. I don't believe it. I can believe that they could be in love, because he is struck by her beauty, and she desires to be let out of her imprisonment, and it seems he is the one to do that. But the only scene where they have dialogue together, she's a complete pessimist, and he's a complete optimist. Their relationship will not work. Plus, I think she might be a little mad that he leaves her for a while with a serial killer.
Another thing I don't like about this film, and this I really don't like, are the special effects. Tim Burton is a visual genius. It's the one good thing about all of his films, even the bad adaptations. He can always create beautiful visuals, and special effects. Here, they're horrendous. They look terribly fake, and like they just don't exist. Mrs. Lovett's final scene is without a doubt, the worst. It looks so terrible, I can't stand to watch it. Also, the blood is incredibly fake. It looks like he bought a lot of ketchup, and mixed it with water. The sets and costumes in this film are great, but the special effects aren't. It really is a step down, Mr. Burton.
Now, there are some good things. All the actors that can't sing, can act. And they act damn well. All of them are rather brilliant. Johnny Depp was the perfect choice for playing Sweeney Todd, aside from the singing, because he can easily portray this shell of a man that just wants to kill until he has his revenge. Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall are both great at creating despicable villains, who you just want to see dead. I love how Alan Rickman acts like he's a good man, trying to provide for Johanna, when in reality, he's locking her up, just so he can marry her. Mrs. Lovett had to be my favourite character, because of her sheer love for Sweeney Todd. She loves him so much, that she locked away the only person who loved her, Toby, her surrogate son, just so Todd would take her. Brilliant. And interestingly enough, although Depp can't sing, his vocals, especially the low vocals, work really well in the film. The songs are also great, a classic of musicals.
Overall, I really don't like this film. The cons outweigh the pros, and it's a real shame. However, I knew that there would be some films on the list that I didn't like, and it makes sense that they would come earlier rather than later. Overall, I give this film a score of 4.5/10. This may seem shockingly low, considering how this film is on the list, but I just don't like this film. However, I have never seen it performed on stage, so perhaps there is hope for this film yet.
Next time, I'm watching Brick, one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's earlier independent films.
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