Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Reviews

Sweeney Todd… quizás la última película de Burton que se siente como una del director, ya que después de esta hizo Alice in Wonderland y todo se vino cuesta abajo. Para hacerla corta, es una adaptación de un musical, va sobre un barbero que asesina a civiles en su sitio de trabajo por quién sabe dónde en Londres. El barbero es un vengador que busca asesinar a aquellos que arruinaron su vida. No va por la vertiente de porno justicia a lo Monte Cristo, va por la porno venganza, cuando te sumerges en un hoyo de mierda por centrarse en vengarte, lo que dispara de vuelta.

En ese sentido, no inicia desde que busca su venganza, va con Johnny Depp siendo un melancólico con un pasado de mierda que debe ocultar su identidad real, pues es buscado por culpa de Alan Rickman. Esta parte es muy divertida, nada del otro mundo, pero la música y escenografía te cautiva con esos colores opacos y oscuros, esas edificaciones derruidas y estilo victoriano con aires góticos. La trama escala cuando Depp se encuentra con Bonham Carter, exploran su pasado y su regreso al trabajo. La trama se complica cuando aparece Borat quien busca chantajearlo, acabando muerto. Es cuando la verdadera venganza empieza, Depp y Bonham Carter se les ocurre asesinar a cada persona en Londres, aprovechando los cadáveres para preparar pasteles y volverse millonarios. Aquí aparece la parte creepy y es muy retorcida. Bastante divertida y no fijándose de lleno en la venganza.

Por cierto, si se preguntan por qué no estoy hablando en general de la calidad de la película, pues como dije, es porno venganza, no tiene complejidad en lo absoluto, es de esas cosas que ves por el espectáculo, lo retorcida que llega ser los métodos de los vigilantes o su retorcida moral ¿Qué? ¿Esperaban una exploración sobre la venganza? ¿Un estudio de personaje o qué? Vayan a ver V for Vendetta, Vinland Saga o Gangs of New York, hasta Old Boy hace más con el concepto. La historia no tiene algún agujero argumental particular o de importancia, lo que significa que su trama carece de complejidad. No es que no falle por ser impecable, su ejecución es simple al grado de no tener mucho pasando en medio.

Apenas hay dos historias ocurriendo al mismo tiempo. No comete la incompetencia de trabajarlas sin aglutinarlas. Cada personaje tiene su propia participación, pero no tienen mucho de un objetivo, Turpin no hace nada fuera de querer casarse con Johanna, Anthony es relativamente más proactivo buscando rescatar a la hija de Todd, pero sus actos son eclipsados por el barbero y su sadismo. Johanna fue por completo pasiva y Lovett y Tobias fungían más como ayudantes de los actos de Todd. Quizás que Lovett ame a Todd y busque tener una familia, mientras oculta un oscuro secreto la hace mejor que el resto, hasta que ves que como cualquier yandere está ahí para empeorar la trama por su personalidad que da un twist al final, pero me estoy apresurando. Así que fuera del principal, los demás tienen side stories sin presencia alguna o siquiera importancia para el objetivo principal. Su método para que no se siente un completo despropósito es que como tiene a los mismos personajes interactuando sin expandirse da la ilusión de complejidad, la verdad es que es tiempo muerto por su falta de importancia.

Los personajes se sienten irrelevantes también porque no tienen mucha personalidad. Turpin es un imbécil bisexual y pedófilo, Anthony es un boyscott que se enamora de Johanna sin interacción considerable, Lovett se fija tanto en Todd que no puede hacer más nada, Bamford es otro degenerado como Turpin, Johanna es una ingenua waifu a la vieja escuela (completamente inútil). Podría decir que Tobías cumple un rol prominente por la conclusión al descubrir la conspiración de los pasteles, pero para ese punto no era relevante. El que de verdad parece tener complejidad es el barbero pues tiene trasfondo, un objetivo y una personalidad consecuente de sus vivencias. A la par, tampoco es que me interese el personaje, como el 99% de su calaña, sabes que no existe fuera de su venganza, vive de la misma y no tiene nada fuera de esto. La actuación de Depp le da carisma, pero su simpleza y que siempre carga la cara de amargura mucho tiempo destruye el personaje. Su relación con Lovett es superficial, no le interesa nada fuera de asesinar y se va simplificando y simplificando porque no hace más nada. Eso destruye su catarsis si no tiene algún alivio cuando, como las porno venganzas, nadie obtiene lo que tiene, siguen estancados en la mierda.

El final por eso es un desastre, esa vieja que estaba jodiendo por las afueras resultó ser la esposa de Todd, quien coincidiendo con el asesinato de Turpin se atraviesa para joder aún más al personaje tras ser asesinada. A la par, lo de Tobías ocurre y la conclusión de la venganza y la revelación que Lovett le mintió a Todd y su rápida muerte en el horno y que Tobías le corta el cuello a Todd, sin dejarnos en claro que pasó con Anthony o Johanna o Tobías, pero que desgracia de final.

Un final como ese para una venganza estándar con bonitos visuales y buena banda sonora. 

Apartado visual: 10/10

Dirección general 2/2 (Burton)

Actuación 2/2 (llena de gestos perturbadores e inquietantes)

Escenografía 2/2 (estilizados para imitar a un teatro)

Cinemáticas 2/2 (great)

Efectos especiales 2/2 (la ambientación victoriana con los colores opacos le queda como anillo al dedo)

Apartado acústico: 10/10

Actuación de voz 3/3 (todos cantan excelentemente)

Banda sonora 4/4 (creepy y atrayente)

Mezcla de sonido 3/3 (atemorizante)

Trama: 4/10 

Base 1/2 (venganza)

Ritmo 2/2 (ameno)

Complejidad 0/2 (nope)

plausibilidad 1/2 (algo conveniente)

Conclusión 0/2 (incompleta y apresurada)

Personajes: 3/10

Presencia: 1/2 (fuera de Todd, todos son reactivos)

Personalidad 1/2 (exagerada, pero tienen)

Profundización 1/2 (fuera de Todd, nadie tiene)

Desarrollo 0/2 (nadie)

Catarsis 0/2 (negada)

Importancia: 5/10

Valor histórico 2/3 (adaptación de un musical famoso)

revisita 1/3 (muy vacío y hay mejores opciones)

Memorabilidad 2/4 (quizás la estética te haga recordarla, pero la trama es genérica en general)

Disfrute: 4/10

Me encanta su producción y música, lo demás es un desastre

Calificación: 4/10 

Visual eye candy production values in Tim Burton's gothic style that perfectly matches the universe in Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp is amazing!

Tim Burton is one of my fav director of all time and I loved this masterpiece created by him! Amazing characters and the music rocks!

9/10

I already saw this movie, in fact, I even saw it in the movie theater when it was released, but, since it was a while back, I thought I might as well check it out again. Back then, when I first saw it, I was a big fan of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton's work was, at the time, still very interesting so I had to see this movie. Honestly, I have had absolutely no knowledge about Swneey Todd so I really didn't know what to expect beforehand. Furthermore, musicals are not really my thing so I went to see it with a open mind. Eventually, I thought it was really good. I didn't care much about the songs but the visuals were quite awesome, something rather expected by Tim Burton, and Johnny Depp delivered a solid performance, which was expected as well. I'm not so sure about the story but it was the ending that really sold me out. I mean, it was so over-the-top, so bold, so bloody, it didn't see it coming and it was just plain impressive. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I really struggled to care about the damned thing when I rewatched it though. To be honest, I have to admit that I was actually exhausted when I saw the damned thing and I had a hard time not to fall asleep. Still, I'm pretty sure that I would have had the same feeling under better circumstances. Indeed, the first time I watched the damned thing, I was really dazzled by the immersive dark mood and the amazing visuals but, the second time around, I focused more on the story and the characters and, well, I wasn’t really impressed. I mean, basically, it is a rather generic revenge tell and, even though the whole cast did deliver some solid performances, none of the characters was actually really intriguing after all. Anyway, to conclude, it is still pretty good though and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in Tim Burton's work.

"I can guarantee the closest shave you'll ever know. "

Whenever I see a film directed by Tim Burton, I know that it involves either about a dark, or unusual visual design, and usually stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Well, I wasn't wrong with this film. The only difference was that this was a musical, thus testing the acting prowess and flexibility of the actors involved in the film. And they did not disappoint. In a delightfully dark and gothic telling of the Broadway play, Burton shows us the journey of Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker (Depp), as he loses his wife (Kelly) and his daughter, Joanna (Wisener) after the lusty Judge Turpin (Rickman) rapes Todd's wife (she poisons herself afterwards) and takes Joanna as his ward. Todd is sent to Australia where he is forced to do hard labour. When he returns, he learns that Turpin has developed lustful feelings for Joanna, and he plans to exact his revenge. Along with his former neighbor, Mrs. Lovett (Bonham Carter), who runs a failing pie shop, he turns his attentions to avenging the death and abduction of his wife and daughter. Although bloody, the movie promises a lot of funny moments, especially concerning Bonham Carter, who seems to have hidden a singing talent through the years. There is never a dull moment in the film, and the Burton-Depp team up seems to have become a surefire way to enjoy a film, no matter how dark or bloody it may become.

Ho rimandato a lungo la visione di questo film perché sapevo che mi avrebbe messo in difficoltà: adoro Tim Burton, e qui ci sono praticamente tutti gli elementi che contraddistinguono la sua arte (in pochi riescono come lui a far letteralmente parlare scenografia e fotografia come fossero personaggi); detesto i musical e questo lo è (con le solite canzonette ultraripetitive). Ci ho trovato una miriade di difetti che mi hanno dato fastidio, e accanto a loro un sacco di trovare addirittura geniali. La trama è stilizzata, favolizzata, superficiale. Banale, spesso. Ma renderla più complessa e coerente avrebbe cozzato con le esigenze, appunto, del musical, che con un numero di battute che sarà si e no un quinto di quelle di un film normale non può concedere di più. Gli attori sono ottimi, dell'impatto visivo del film manco a parlarne, è straordinario. Credo che Burton si sia divertito come un bambino a girare questa pellicola e a far scorrere tutto quel sangue. Gli amanti del genere probabilmente lo considerano un gran film e io non ho niente da obiettare. Ma avrei preferito vedere la storia di Sweeney Todd in versione "tradizionale" e sono convinto che nelle mani di Burton sarebbe stata davvero un capolavoro.

Who knew a musical about a serial killer could be so bloody GREAT?!?!?!
LOVED IT. IT IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST FILM I'VE EVER SEEN. The viuals are STUNNING, the acting SUPERB, and Johhny Depp REALLY CAN sing!

"There was a barber and his wife...and she was beautiful..."

Tim Burton is unquestionably one of my favourite directors, if not my absolute favourite director. It's a fact that no matter what the film or the subject matter, I will view a film helmed by Tim Burton (at the time of writing this review, I have seen all of Burton's work and own all his films). The partnership of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will forever be a movie occasion to treasure, be it Ed Wood or Edward Scissorhands among an enormous number of others. It was the end of 2006 when Dreamworks fast-tracked Burton's latest collaboration with Johnny Depp...and I initially discovered Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The plan was to transform the lucrative Broadway musical into the world of live action cinema. The best part is that Burton promised a full-on musical to maintain a sense of fidelity to Steven Sondheim's brilliant Broadway production. Before the announcement of Burton's cinematic version of the musical, I hadn't possessed any prior knowledge of the source material. I had no idea what the film was about until my interest suddenly flared and research followed.

If you're familiar with the Broadway musical, you'll be aware of the dark humour and gothic style that is such a prominent feature. Sweeney Todd is a story intended for Tim Burton. The director possesses a distinctive superiority when it comes to the macabre and gothic tones. With the completion of creepy period films such as the wondrous Sleepy Hollow, director Burton demonstrated a special ability to deliver dark humour and elegant visuals. Burton is a director who can bring flawed and unusual characters to life. He is the master of darkness and has adapted a penchant for tossing a little blood around his sets in an exaggerated, albeit entertaining manner. Since the beginning of his career, stunning gothic visuals and extravagant production design has been his forte. Sweeney Todd is a film regarding a central character who is a sorrowful, vengeful and formerly caring individual. This character finds redemption for crimes against him and his family by slashing the throats of the innocents of London while hoping to one day slash the throat of the man who stole his wife and daughter from him. What better plot and central character could possibly be better suited for Tim Burton to bring to life?

2007 was a year that beared the release of several great films, but the year also saw its fair share of bad films (in my opinion, there were more bad films than good films throughout the year). Tim Burton's cinematic vision of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a masterpiece of epic proportions, and ultimately ended up being the best film of 2007 without question or debate. After mentioning so much about Burton's brilliant work, I must admit I was a little worried because Burton's last movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was disappointing to say the least. With this film, however, Burton patches up the scars. Like I previously mentioned, I didn't know much about the source material before walking into the cinema and had no idea that this film was going to be so good. Within the first few seconds of the titles commencing, I was completely enthralled in Burton's universe.

The film is so poetic, stylish, beautiful and so incredibly emotional at times as well. Every shot has been conceived beautifully, and every line delivered remarkably. This is a musical of course, so naturally the songs being interesting is a vitality. All the songs are utterly stunning and are crafted beautifully. Combine the witty lyrics of Steven Sondheim with the musical stylings of a successful Hollywood composer...suddenly things are looking interesting. The songs are both memorable and remarkable. I purchased the soundtrack CD immediately and now it's my default channel.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the story of a man named Benjamin Barker (Depp) who once had everything; a wife, a child and a successful career as a barber. For Barker, life could not be better. But a false conviction of a crime he did not commit destroys his happiness and his life, causing him to suffer through a massive, heart-breaking emotional trauma. Upon Barker's London homecoming by boat 15 years later to right the wrongs against him, he comes home to nothing. His family has been ripped apart. He forms an unlikely partnership with Mrs. Lovett (Carter), a creepy old woman who owns a pie shop. Benjamin Barker, who now goes by the name of Sweeney Todd, wants revenge on crooked Judge Turpin (Rickman) who convicted him out of sheer jealously. Sweeney re-opens a barber shop on Fleet Street, with the intention of getting sweet revenge on Turpin if he comes in for a shave. Sweeney uses his sharp silver blades to slash the throats of the innocent London public that come in for a shave, before destroying the evidence of his crimes by allowing the troubled Mrs. Lovett to cook the human corpses into her pies.

From start to finish, I was completely hooked. I literally couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen. Its combination of a superb cast, excellent music, exquisite production design and gorgeous cinematography creates a flawless movie. I remember goose-bumps literally covering my body as soon as the music commenced at the start of the opening credits...the outstanding organ music that successfully creates the desired atmosphere and tone for what is about to come.

Burton's unique colour scheme depicts the grimy streets of London with extremely drained colour that predominantly makes use of grey a black among other dark colours. The sky is always dark, with never a ray of bright sunshine poking through. This is the depressing, gothic mood that the director aimed to achieve. During the flashbacks that depict the events of the past, the colour scheme has been changed to show an array of bright colours as the sun lights the cheery streets. This symbolises Barker's emotions, so to speak. When Barker is happy with his life the colours are bright and joyous. Then when he returns to London and the life he once lived has been destroyed...his depression is reflected in the gloomy visuals.

Johnny Depp, playing the demon barber, is absolutely remarkable. Before this film Depp had never displayed his singing abilities on film. Before he was an actor he played guitar in a band with never an attempt to handle any vocals. If it weren't for his close friend Tim Burton asking him to consider a singing role, he would have gone through his whole career without singing a note. Thankfully, Depp's former career in the music industry allowed him to sing a brilliant tune. Before the film's release, Depp singing was a big question mark. As the film was not marketed as a musical from the previews, we were therefore never given the opportunity to witness the actor handling a song. When I first viewed the film in the cinema (on opening day) I sat in complete awe at the beauty of Johnny Depp's breathtaking singing. The actor was recognised with a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for Best Actor (I still believe he wholly deserved to win). Helena Bonham Carter was the only member of the cast I was reluctant about, but my fears were soon alleviated by her stunning acting skills. She is able to carry on a brilliant duet with co-star Depp. Her singing is amazing. Alan Rickman is brilliant here, as are the rest of the supporting cast. This includes Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen (whose singing is quite incredible), Jamie Campbell Bower, Laura Michelle Kelly, Jayne Wisener and Ed Sanders. Every member of the cast can sing to perfection.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a brilliant mix of dark humour, horror, romance, drama and tragedy. The ending is very sad, but very poetic at the same time. As the credits start to roll (with every screening I watch) I am a complete mess. Usually tears are escaping my eyes...I'm left speechless and stunned. The film is very violent, and when the exaggerated bloodshed begins it is very relentless and there is no stopping it. With Burton's direction the violence is very stylish and extraordinarily beautiful. Of course Burton's direction is the icing on the cake here. The man is a visionary and a wizard of filmmaking. His films are simply close to unbeatable. I am not a fan of the musical genre (interestingly enough, neither is Burton); however a musical of this superiority is a rare event. With each new screening I am always captivated.

Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a modern masterpiece. It's an acquired taste and will not be liked by all of course, so you're welcome to disagree. Every aspect of the filmmaking is absolutely stunning. Without argument or question, this is the best movie of 2007. Since first watching this film, I cannot prevent myself from indulging in repeated screenings. To date, this is Burton's finest hour. Winner of 2 Golden Globes including Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) and Best Actor (for Johnny Depp).

I travelled 55 kilometres and had to beg my parents to give me a ride just so I could see this movie on its official premiere day (Feb 29) here in Finland — can you believe we had to wait all this time? — and let me tell you, it was so worth the trouble!

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is absolutely brilliant. I've heard so many people complain about it being a musical (I'm not terribly fond of musicals either) but I rather liked how the singing and the story worked together! Ranging from adoring to murderous, the music helped to create the different atmospheres needed for each scene. I also think all the actors did a really good job at singing, I don't care if anyone else says otherwise.

Sweeney Todd is dark — certainly the darkest movie I have ever seen — in a very Tim Burton-y way but it also has lighter moments and touches of humour here and there. There is also a lot of (fake-looking) blood all over the place but it works really well. Even I thought it looked good and I can't really watch splatter films or anything too gory without getting annoyed at all the blood that is sprayed around. In this movie the great story and the well-played characters helped to keep the balance.

Full marks to all the actors and the director. This movie will definitely stay at the top of my list of favourite movies for a long, long time.

This has to be one of my favourite films ever, no doubt about that. When I first walked into the cinema to see this, I knew I was going to love it.. but I had no idea I would enjoy this film as much as I did. It had that distinctive Tim Burton 'style' to it. Dark, mysterious, eerie, bloody and humorous. You could call this a mixture of genres.. obviously it is a musical, but it's just as much of a horror movie as it is a comedy.

Johnny Depp is Sweeney Todd.. the demon barber of Fleet Street. A dark character that comes across as a revenge-seeking, sinister person. All you need to know about this plot is that Sweeney Todd was once locked away from his wife and daughter, and came back to London to seek revenge. After his first killing Mrs Lovett, played by Helena Bonham Carter, suggests using the flesh in meat pies. From then the story unfolds in itself, creating some unexpected plot turns and an outstanding end to this masterpiece. Tim Burton directs one of the greatest movies ever made, making it really his own. Another reason to see this is if you absolutely love Tim's style of movies, you will love Sweeney Todd.

Johnny Depp showed yet again how he is one of the best actors of his generation, and has proved to me why he is my all-time favourite actor. This was something completely different for him.. singing. I personally thought he was brilliant, the perfect actor with the perfect voice for Sweeney Todd. Seeing Helena Bonham Carter in this movie has made me admire her a lot more as an actress, she made her character certainly a lot more entertaining than I can imagine anyone else doing. She really made another stand-out performance for me. Alan Rickman was everything you would imagine his character to be, but as for his singing.. I can't really comment because to me it was more like just talking compared to other actors.. but it still blended in well with everything. Sacha Baron Cohen provided a couple of entertaining scenes, while Timothy Spall was as disgusting as you would imagine him to be.

I can't express in words how much I loved this film, but I tried. I would strongly recommend this to anyone, just be prepared that this is a musical. Other than that... enjoy!