Sweeney Todd

Last night I saw Sweeney Todd, the new Tim Burton musical starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. All of the reviews I read simply raved about the film. I liked the film, but I wouldn't rave about it. I would say 3 out of 4 stars. But I'm still so glad that movie musicals are being made, and it was much better than some of the other ones that have come out in recent years (ie Rent, Phantom of the opera).

Johnny Depp is fabulous as always. All of the actors' performances were pretty great. The music was good. I have never seen Sweeney Todd as a play or anything so I was surprised to find I knew a few of the songs. I think they did a good job of integrating that whole "breaking out into song" thing and making it seem natural, which some musicals don't do such a good job of. It was also very different from a lot of movie musicals because it was so dark and there wasn't really any dancing. It was definitely over-the-top though, like all good musicals. I almost wish the blood would've been more realistic instead of such a bright red. But I think that was their intention because otherwise it would be really gorey to a point where maybe some people couldn't watch it.

As usual, I think the best parts were the comic relief - like Sasha Baron Cohen's flamboyant "Italian" barber character. Or when Judge Turpin sentences a second-time offender to hang because he has proven that he has chosen a life of crime and they cut to the offender who is a small boy. I laughed perhaps a little too loudly in the theater (I have a very dark sense of humor).

Overall, I definitely recommend seeing the film. It didn't blow me away the way I hoped it would, but I still enjoyed it. And Johnny Depp is hot even when they try to make him look ugly and crazy.

P.S. I may not update much over the next week or so with the holidays. My apologies. But happy holidays to everyone! Tata dahlings.

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