This film could also have been titled There Will Be Blood. Sweeney Todd stars the irrevocable chameleon Johnny Depp as a barber seeking revenge for having his family stolen by the nefarious Judge Turpin (played with wicked glee as always by Alan Rickman). Based on the stage musical by Steven Sondheim, this gritty rendition directed by Tim Burton is not for the faint hearted, lacking most of the cheesiness that can come with a musical and possessing much more blood-loss.
Dark sets project the dank, old London with black, white, and shades of gray reigning so supreme, the red blood stands out even more. Helena Bonham Carter co-stars as Todd's accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, and while she doesn't have the strongest singing voice, the easy camaraderie between her and Depp makes up for it. Memorable appearances are made by Sascha Baron Cohen, as rival barber Pirelli, Ed Sanders, as workhouse orphan Toby, and Jamie Campbell Bower as a sailor named Anthoy Hope whose gentle performance of "Johanna" will be floating through your head for days. Even with great music and a compelling story, it is not appropriate for small children.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Anyone who likes a gripping tale of revenge (or Johnny Depp) and doesn't mind the sight of blood.
Extended review: It becomes so easy to get used to the dismal grays of the atmosphere, that when Mrs. Lovett fantasizes during "By the Sea", the sudden shock of a blue sky actually made me gasp out loud. It contains the film's silliest moments, but audiences might find the sequence a bit of respite in the midst of Todd's bloodier and bloodier descent into revenge. It may only be Lovett's imaginary world, but even in her dreams, she sees there's only one thing on Todd's mind.
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