Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Most of Tim Burton's movies are a lot of fun to watch and amazing to look at. However, a lot of the times the narratives tend to be less than compelling and even though they were amazing to look at, everything else fades from memory quite quickly. Notably exceptions being "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Ed Wood". Now comes, "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" which is the most delicious work (pun intended) Burton has delivered in his twenty plus year as a director. To me "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" plays out like an evil version of one of those Disney animated musical from the early nineties. Those movies seemed to be composed of two young lovers from different worlds who have to go to impossible ends to be with each other, and the girl often has a overbearing yet loving father, and there is always a villain to make sure the girl and boy are kept apart. In this story the villain interferes with the girls life when she is a mere infant. As the movie opens "Sweeney Todd(played flawlessly by Johnny Depp), formerly Benjamin Barker is returning to London after fifteen years of exile after being brought up on a false charge. The audience quickly learns that Benjamin Barker had a wife named Lucy who he was madly in love with, but so was the unscrupulous Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) who has Barker sent away so he can take the wife as his own. After many rejections by the woman, the Judge takes Mrs. Barker by force, driving her mad. And to make things even better for the family the Judge Turpin adopts Barker's daughter Johanna to raise as his own, and imprison her as she blossoms into womanhood with the intent of marrying her. Shortly after returning to London Todd returns to his home, which is above a shopped own by Helena Boham-Carter-Burton's Mrs. Lovett, who happens to sell the worst meat pies in London. Mrs. Lovett realizes right away that Sweeney Todd is really Benjamin Barker and takes an immediate liking to him. In the meantime Todd's imprisoned daughter, Johanna, spies a sailor (the same sailor who delivers Todd to London) and the two fall instantly in love. Now in most Disney animated movies the action is centered on the young lovers while the adults are put in the background. Most of the action here is on Sweeney Todd, a moping monster whose only purpose in life is to have revenge for the wrongs done to him. This movie is interesting in many ways, namely the relationship between Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett. It's obviously she will do anything to win his affection. However, he is indifferent to her unless she is able to help him get his revenge. There are several scenes in which Todd speaks to Mrs. Lovett as if she is just a distraction. Despite his bitter rage and nastiness Mrs. Lovett still dreams of moving to the sea and getting married to Mr. Todd. One of the best scenes in the movie is when it seems as if Todd is about to open up to Mrs. Lovett and then a clue about how to get his revenge on the judge comes his way, and she is instantly forgotten. Judge Turpin has to be the nastiest villain in all of Tim Burton's movies. And these are villains that include the Joker, the Penguin, blood thirsty Martians, and the boogie man. This guy not only destroys a family on the whim of his own lust, he intends to marry the daughter. The fact that the daughter falls for the young sailor puts her in a terrible situation. And there this is Mrs. Lovett. Here is a character with the morals of a half starved alley cat. She thinks murder is inexcusable unless it is justified (A character tries to bribe Sweeney Todd) or if it can be to her benefit (Using the bodies of victims to boost her pie selling business). Part of the greatness of her role is how nonchalantly she reacts to the murders of several people as long as she stands to gain by them. As great as the story is I can honestly stay Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter can both hold their own as singers. Alan Rickman, great actor, but not so much. The atmosphere of the sets also contribute to the melancholy feel of this movies. Tim Burton has made violent, bloody movies before but they always tended to have an upbeat tone. As I said, it reminded me if an evil Disney movie. After seeing "Beauty and the Beast" I left the theater humming the songs. After this one I walked out feeling like I just had attended a funeral. Still, this is an elegant movie and Burton's best work. Final note...the blu ray quality is very good, but not great.

I'm not even going to try to compare "Sweeney Todd", the movie and "Sweeney Todd" the play. Both are great, with their individual personalities. The play allows us to watch the action; the film makes us a part of the action. The photography often races through the dark streets of London, and we find ourselves trying to keep up with it. Then we're suddenly back in the story, in an almost voyeuristic way. We like Sweeney Todd because we can empathize with why he became the "Demom". We realize we are all capable of commiting bad things. Thankfully, most of us don't follow through. We know the difference between right and wrong. We know Mr. Todd has descended into madness, and it is his acceptance and understanding of his condition that make him respectable. Johnny Depp delivers yet another perfect performance as Sweeney. Helena Bohnam Carter is wonderful as Mrs. Lovett. She allows us to watch as she subtly shifts personality from a desperate woman guilty of making "the worst pies in London" to an obsessed, evil accomplice. They become business partners, and soon Mrs. Lovett is happily famous for making the best pies in London. Make no mistake, there is a lot of blood flying in all directions, and that may bother some people. Truthfully, I have seen more blood and gore in those "franchise" movies. Director Tim Burton mixes up a batch of bright red blood, and along with some great effects he drenches us with Sweeney's vengeance. The flim is beautifully shot in very muted color, which plays well against the artful grayness of old London. The supporting cast is outstanding, notably Alan Rickman as a lecherous, cruel man of power. The story unfolds, as it must, as a gothic opera, with a great soundtrack. (Don't buy the "highlights" CD; get the full soundtrack with an 80 page book of the full libretto). Perhaps Burton's best decision was to cast the leads with "non-singers". Johnny Depp is actually an excellent non-singer, his every word making its point. Helena Bonham Carter is definitely a true non-singer, and yet she manages to capture the desparation, obsession, fear, pathos and love her character demands. A lot of people don't like "musicals", but this film would have been mundane and most likely a flop, if the script was spoken. Why? Because it would have shoved us back to the balcony, only allowing us to watch rather than participate. There are some darkly hilarious scenes, and the lyrics are perhaps some of Sondheim's best. I especially thought "A Little Priest" was grotesquely funny. If you have not yet seen it, give it a try. It's a gem that was poorly treated by the Academy. Johnny Depp deserved that Oscar. His performance was stunning, reminding me that the last time I was so impressed was the year Meryl Streep won for "Sophie's Choice". One afterthought: you will probably never feel the same about using a razor when you shave.

Para mi, una genial obra de teatro llevada al cine por el actor mas teatrero de nuestra reciente actualidad cinematigrafica. Me encanta Deep en estos papeles teatrales llenos de maquillaje y a manos de Tim Burton creo que es excepcional. Buena edición. Se ve perfecto pero el audio es aun mejor. Muy agradecida al esmero del vendedor 'Atlantic' en el empaquetado y el cuidado de su producto. Llegó bastante rápido y en perfecto estado. Muy agradecida.

Il genio di Burton, abilissimo nell'imprimere il suo tocco magico, la bravura straordinaria di Johnny Depp e alla fantastica interpretazione di Helena Bonham Carter e di tutto il cast in genere fanno di questo musical un capolovoro nel suo genere. Una traspozione riuscita alla perfezione che non lascia indifferente lo spettatore. Burton ricrea alla perfezione la londra dell'Ottocento con quella sue atmosfere cupe uggiose e quelle costruzioni che richiamano gli albori della rivoluzione industriale. Il tutto ovviamente reso surreale, misterioso e gotico come solo Burton sa fare. Fantastici i personaggi di Sweeney Todd e di Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter qui da il meglio di sé e regala un personaggio squisitamente perverso ma anche dotato di molte sfaccettature).

Très satisfait

Il più bel film di Johnny Depp, che dimostra ancora una volta di essere un'attore incredibile. Il blu-ray si vede benissimo, ed è arrivato in condizioni perfette, consigliato per chi ama questo grande attore.

nice bluray, decent xtras