Sweeney Todd

"Sweeney Todd" is a deliciously bloody musical with outstanding performances from all involved. Put this one on your must-see list!

Johnny Depp stars as Sweeney Todd, a man wrongly imprisoned by a conniving judge (Alan Rickman) who lusts for Todd's wife. After he is finally released from prison, Todd returns to London seeking revenge not only against the judge, but on those who he feels are wronging society. Overall, he likes to slit throats. Disposing of the bodies is not a problem, as his girlfriend Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) finds a way to grind them into meat pies.

Keep in mind, this is a musical as well, and there is a just as much singing coming from the actors mouths as there is blood spouting from the victims' throats. Here everyone is excellent and the songs are great. Whether it's Bonham Carter and Depp, or Rickman and and Depp, or Bonham Carter and the young lad she takes under her wing, the story flows through the music.

The only problem I had with the movie has nothing to do with this movie specifically. Perhaps I'll call it the Harry Potter effect. I am finding it difficult to watch a movie where Alan Rickman isn't Snape, Helena Bonham Carter isn't Bellatrix le Strange, and Timothy Spall isn't Peter Pettigrew. Here Snape sings!

All in all, though, "Sweeney Todd" is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, if you can handle the blood. And don't forget, this is a Tim Burton movie, which always makes for something a little more demented than usual. I give it an A.

"Sweeney Todd" is rated R with a running time of 116 minutes.