REVIEW: Sweeny Todd
Sweeny Todd is here for the holidays!
Tim Burton delivers once again with Johnny Depp at his side. Together they delve into a dark and horrific music filled world that is splashed with red flowing blood.
Johnny Depp is barber Benjamin Barker, he’s living a happy idyllic life with his wife Lucy and child Jowanna until Judge Turpin (played by a sinister Alan Rickman) tosses him into jail. Judge Turpin set his heart on having Lucy and shattered Barker’s world.
Years later Barker returns as Sweeny Todd in pursuit of vengeance for his lost life. With the help of meat pie maker Mrs. Lovett (Helen Bonham Carter) Sweeny sets up shop as a barber slicing and dicing those who dare sit in his chair until he can get Judge Turpin there to settle the score. Mrs. Lovett takes all the bodies and turns them into meat pies becoming the most popular shop in London.
Based on the Broadway musical everyone is singing throughout and it’s amazing. Johnny Depp is fantastic as Sweeny, with an evil menacing glint in his eye there’s also sadness in his heart, very reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands.
Tim Burton really captured the raw and gory world that surrounds Sweeny on the streets of London and he splatters it all with blood and vibrant colors. With every slice and slit Sweeny makes the blood flows, with a life of it’s own the blood sprays, splashes and gushes on screen. Then the bodies crash down to the basement floor with sickening thuds.
If you enjoyed the musical you’re sure to be wrapped up in the film, if you’re a fan of Burton and Depp team up then you’ll be equally pleased. This film has great appeal across the board.
I was completely wrapped up in the blood soaked story and thought everyone played their parts perfectly. I was even surprised to enjoy Sacha Baron Cohen’s role as Signor Adolfo Pirelli a rival Barber who knows Sweeny’s true identity.
It’s a tragic tale that is strangely delightful. I hope to revisit again and again this holiday season.