"Sweeney Todd" Review

With so many movie musicals coming out in the last several years, one would think Hollywood is running out of things to get from Broadway. But it's never been a problem to find musical hits that can be made into a movie. Sometimes it takes longer to actually put it in movie form and get the right people, though. For Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" it would seem that Hollywood waited just long enough before getting people that would fit right in. Although Tim Burton never did something this bloody before, the atmosphere and style is right up his alley. The same goes for that Johnny Depp guy who keeps hanging around his movies.

The urban legend of a revenge seeking barber was adapted by Sondheim into musical form, with Burton and Depp using that same blueprint for their version. In London, a barber named Benjamin Barker was framed and sent to prison by Judge Turpin, who was out to get Barker's wife and daughter. Years later, Barker emerges with a frightful head of hair and a new name in Sweeney Todd. He receives help from terrible baker Ms Lovitt, who informs him that his wife is dead and his grown daughter is living with the Judge. Determined to get revenge, Sweeney sets himself up as a barber above Ms Lovitt's shop, hoping to eventually slit the Judge's throat. But when he loses his chance, Sweeney decides to bide time by slitting everyone else's throats instead- with the love sick Ms Lovitt finding a unique use for the bodies he leaves behind.

Burton was once the go to director for weird and offbeat projects, but his standing has slipped a bit recently with films like "Planet of the Apes" "Big Fish" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Therefore, "Sweeney Todd" allows Burton to return to his Gothic roots and go back to being really odd. Since Depp is even weirder than usual when he's with Burton, he lends a helping hand as well. Completing the unusual triangle is Sondheim, who's music accompanies all the cut throats.