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| Movie Review: Sweeney Todd Alternate Title: Blood, Sweat and Pies
Story: Revenge is sweet, they
say, but in this case it is down right bloody too. Director Tim
Burton adds his gothic signature to a screen adaptation that
should make the Broadway show originators, Stephen Sondheim
and Hugh Wheeler very happy. The screenplay by John
Logan and adaptation by Christopher Bond,
sticks close to the original script. Sweeney Todd returns to London after15 years
to exact revenge on the man who falsely imprisoned him and then stole
his wife and infant daughter. He is abetted by Mrs. Lovett, infamous
for her meat pies. How they team up to both fulfill his vengeance and
add a secret ingredient to her pies is the meat of the story. It is
all accomplished through wonderful songs, terrific acting, fabulous
sets and lots of flowing, spurting, fluid, spouting, gurgling pools
of blood. In lesser directorial hands this could have turned
out kitschy, campy and flat, but Tim Burton's style pulsates throughout.
You will have fond remembrances of some of his other shadowy work including,
of course, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow and Batman.
If you like your holiday movie fare a little dark, bloody and unusual,
take yourself (not the children) to see this fine film. Acting: Johnny Depp is terrific
as the possessed Sweeney Todd. He fills the role with passion, exactitude
and style. Helena Bonham Carter as the crazy Mrs. Lovett
is perfect. Alan Rickman as the mean, mean judge is
right on the money. Timothy Spall is always creepy
and squirrely. Sacha Baron Cohen delivers a terrific
performance and is the first to get that close, last shave. Jayne
Wisener, Ed Sanders and Jamie Campbell Bower
are all more than fine as well.
Predilection: None
Critters: Cockroaches and horses
Food: Meat pies (gulp)
Sex Spectrum: No sex, just murder.
Soundtrack: Deliciously yummy to the ear by Stephen
Sondheim
Opening Titles: Stunning graphics in a steely gray,
black and white background with oozing, flowing blood.
Visual Art: Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski
is terrific. Filled with gothic images, shadowy visuals and a blue gray
bleached out palette
Theater Audience: A few brave souls.
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: The first knife slitting is the squirmiest.
Then you get used to it.
Drift Factor: I did not drift at all.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Probably
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. For some
of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's other
collaborations you can rent: Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory, Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood and of course, the great Edward
Scissorhands.
Length: Two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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