I don't get musicals. All that spontaneous bursting into song where a crowd of complete strangers suddenly know all the words and can produce sublimely choreographed dance routines at a moment's notice. No thanks. Hang on, though... what's this? A musical about a barber who slits people's throats and makes them into pies? Starring Johnny Depp? Directed by Tim Burton? Hell, yes. Count me in! The funny thing is Sweeney Todd is going to attract an awful lot of casual cinema-goers purely on the grounds that it stars Depp. In this case, that might not be enough. Todd is so strange, so different, that it's definitely an acquired taste and if you don't get it, you ...  Read the complete review

(Review also appears at my personal review site www.shaunmunro.co.uk - I wrote the review and can corroborate this if required, thanks) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical, was one of 2007's greater cinematic curiosities, not only in considering its Golden Globe and Academy Award success, but the fact that, as is a rare occurrence, a musical has been rated "18" (UK) and "R" (US). Whilst one cannot profess to be terribly fond of musicals, when such remarkable talent as Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are helming said project, one is enticed and drawn in like little ...  Read the complete review

The story of Sweeney Todd has always been one that I have enjoyed to hear and watch several adaptations of over the years. Johnny Depp is a favourite actor of mine and I also love musicals. So as you can imagine when I first heard that Johnny Depp was going to be in a musical version of Sweeney Todd for the big screen, I was extremely excited. Now I had to go and see it on its opening weekend so my family and I wet to the cinema and had a deliciously dark time watching this deliciously dark musical and I will let you know why. Ok so the story of Sweeney Todd is one that most people should know about by now but I will give you a quick overview anyway. Judge ...  Read the complete review

Synopsis Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces once again in the big screen adaptation of "Sweeney Todd". Depp stars in the title role as the man unjustly sent to prison, who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to London, and reopens his barber shop Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber Of Fleet Street who shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again. Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The Story The film is based on the ...  Read the complete review

As a long time fan of Sondheim's Broadway musical, I must say that I was a bit nervous at the thought of a Sweeney Todd movie. Tim Burton as a director I believed to be an inspired choice from the beginning, however the rest of the cast I was a bit unsure. Do not mistake me. I love all of the actors that appeared in Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp in my opinion is one of the greatest actors of the age, as are Rickman and Spall, and Helena has yet to steer me wrong. However, it boils down to one question: Can they sing? Johnny Depp had made many previous statements as to his lack of vocal talent, and I had never had the pleasure of hearing any ...  Read the complete review