Based on the hit Broadway musical which tells the infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter).
Together again, director Tim Burton and freak Johnny Depp (and I mean that in the most flattering way) team up for the sixth time. They previously made Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and Corpse Bride (2005) together. If you love those films, you know what to expect. This is a musical in the fullest sense, and it's also dripping with blood.
The violence somehow isn't cartoonish yet it's not really overly offensive for the squeamish I thought, as it's executed in a way that doesn't focus on it. There's a lot more focus on the songs and settings that seems to take the edge off of it. But still, it's loaded with violent acts. It's grim, it's dark and it's just a good story too that's nearly perfectly cast and acted. Even Sacha Baron Cohen, aka Borat, in his role didn't make me want to punch his face in. Imagine that. In typical Tim Burton fashion, it's very stylistic and the sets and world he's created look beautiful.
It's every bit as much a horror film as a musical. Yes, that's a combination I just didn't think I'd like, but I could tell at about the 30 minute mark that I was watching a classic. I will say that it's not for everyone though. Those who really dislike musicals won't take to it any more than those repulsed by blood-stained cinema will.
Personally, I thought it rocked. Bravo again Mr. Burton.
8.5/10
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