It's a musical...
...if that hasn't dissuaded you, allow me to break down this pupu platter of mediocrity.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy a good movie musical as much as the next fella. I loved Chicago, Singing in the Rain, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and Jesus Christ Superstar. I liked Dreamgirls and Hairspray. Lion King was pretty good. Heck, the South Park movie was a borderline musical and that one was pretty good (even got an Oscar nom). All these musicals deserve the accolades they've received.
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET may have been a highly successful Broadway hit but that doesn't automatically give it a free pass in the movies.
We follow the title character, Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), through a melee of murders in late 19th century London. Sweeney is a well-known talented barber in search of revenge after his life was ruined by Judge Turpin (Alan "Snape" Rickman) who steals his wife and baby and exiles him in prison for fifteen years for a crime he wrongly was guilty for.
He plots his revenge by becoming the demon the Judge created, a cold-blooded killer. His tools of death are his razor blades. He gains great joy in slitting people's throats in his barber chair and having their bodies mulched into pie filling by the baker downstairs and new friend, the equally morbid Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter). She finds her business take off as soon as her pies become filled with humany goodness.
Did I mention this was a musical? With nary a catchy tune? There are maybe only 10 phrases in the whole movie that aren't sung.
Not to say it was all bad. Depp pulls off the most successful character transformation of his career since he delved into the drug-induced mind of Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He deserves the Oscar nomination this year but to give it to him would be like rewarding the best basketball player on a bad team. Talented, yes. In his prime, without a doubt. Did he make the movie better, absolutely! But there's only so much an actor can do to elevate a movie before the sole responsibility falls on those adapting the musical for screen.
Bottom line, the movie was filled with talent. The translation is what fell short.
This movie isn't for the faint of heart. The blood flows freely and often. If you want to see another musical turned movie and maybe kill a few hours to watch death, cannibalism, and Sasha Baron Cohen (the Borat guy) in tight blue pants and sporting a thick Italian accent, be my guest. (Beauty and The Beast...another good musical!) ...otherwise...
4 of Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pies out of 10.
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