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Sweeney Todd

Tim Burton is a very gifted imagineer. Johnny Depp is a phenomenal actor. Despite all the hype and award nominations, their latest joint operation, "Sweeney Todd," really isn't very good.

Don't get me wrong, Depp is one of my favorite actors, and Burton is my favorite filmmaker. The sets are a delight for the senses, the costumes are beautiful even when terrifying, and the actors are top notch. The story is dark and should be all consuming, but something is missing. Maybe it's the build-up to something huge that the audience is felt to expect, but never quite happens. Perhaps it's the many small, intersecting stories that don't really get resolved, but do work splendidly to tear the attention away from the leads. Or maybe it's just that the movie wasn't entirely ready to be a musical.

"Sweeney Todd" is the tale of a barber, Benjamin Barker (the handsome Depp) who is falsely accused of crimes by the crooked Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman). Fifteen years later, released from his hell, Barker comes back to London a moody, vengeful man.

"The years have changed me," he later croons, and so they have. Barker is no longer a "naive" young man in love, but becomes a bloodthirsty killer upon hearing that his beloved wife is dead and his child stolen from him. And not just stolen by anyone -- but from the same judge who ruined Barker's life! Barker also takes on the new name of Sweeney Todd, again perhaps to strike fear into the hearts of Londoners? Maybe it just sounded scarier at the time. Todd meets back up with an old acquaintance, Miss Lovett (the always talented Helena Bonham Carter) who supports and comforts Sweeney/Benjamin in any way he lets her.

There is plenty of blood in this movie, but Burton has constructed the film so that soon after the first drops appear it's not scary. Maybe the fact that Johnny Depp is so unbelievably withdrawn and holds himself back, which is the scariest part. Depp is known for his quirky roles and the amazing energy he brings to each and every one of them. A vacancy of spirit best describes Todd, as he is mainly relegated to inviting customers in, singing of his lost life, cutting their throats, end of scene. Depp always brings a great charm to his characters, but that is not present in this movie. It is not a Johnny Depp movie, as it has been advertised. Tim Burton's signature sets and colors are present throughout, and yet this film is not like any other Burton film (save perhaps "Nightmare Before Christmas") to make a niche in the hearts of the populace. Helena Bonham Carter stands out in this film for the enthusiasm she brings, as well as making her character believable and even endearing. Her Miss Lovett does terrible things, and yet she shines, as at her core, she wants to rise above and live a "normal" life by the sea. Todd's sole purpose is to kill Turpin.

Turpin is seriously creepy, between his jealousy and obsession with his ward. Alan Rickman is a glorious actor, but Todd's revenge felt like it couldn't come soon enough. A few of the songs are catchy, but it feels like songs were inserted throughout just to make the movie longer. As I watched the movie, I kept wondering how much better it would've been had it not been a musical... probably significantly better.

Written by: Susie Kopecky

Reviewers Rating: 6.5
Reader's Rating: 8.00
Reader's Votes: 15

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