Sweeney Todd

Amazing that such goodness can be found in such evilness. I loved this movie and so did Henry. We both like musicals and Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton combo films. I am obsessed with the ideas found within the realm of Gothic fiction and how that is translated into the noir film and macabre genres. (Yes, you can call me dark and twisty, I don't mind.) So, I knew it was a perfect fit for me: Johnny Depp + musical + dark storyline + Tim Burton + Colleene Atwood's gorgeously gross costumes + popcorn. Heaven. Perhaps even Heaven on a stick. I wasn't sure if Henry was going to be in Heaven but gave him kudos for going with me.

I loved it so much that I went and bought the soundtrack 10 minutes after we were leaving our seats. I've been singing about meat pies ever since. (It is currently on in the background, actually.)

If you don't like musicals don't see it. They start singing at the first lines of the movie. If you don't like blood (even though it is very theatrical [read: fake]) don't go see it. If you don't like Tim Burton, don't see it! 'nuf said. If you don't like these things then you most likely picked up on them in the previews and you weren't going to see it anyway.

So, on to the critical parts. I can't think of any... Technically it was fabulous: costumes, lighting, scenery, scenic design, makeup - all great. I'm sure there will be some Oscar nods in those categories. The actors were quite good - though I was worried about them singing & that was unexpectedly good, too. There was one flaw that Henry and I both noticed where Toby is eating a meat pie and is half through with it and then in the next frame it only has a little bite missing. Henry used to get mad at me for pointing those things out and now he catches them on his own. My only other criticism was that Helena was too reminiscent of the Bride of Frankenstein in her final scene. Seriously could have been taken from that movie. Wish that hadn't been the case.

Henry mentioned that he wished it had gone into the "what happens next" part of the story, but the movie is called Sweeney Todd so I feel it was ended at the only possibly appropriate point. I highly recommend it to everyone (with the aforementioned caveats). I'll even add a preview if I can find a good one to put up here. Enjoy your meat pies!



Something is messed up with every preview I put up, so I suggest you just go to the official site for the movie at www.sweeneytoddmovie.com and have a good visit!