Sweeney  Todd is a tragedy in every sense of the word.    Don’t see it because you expect a classic horror piece, unlike the novel it is a classic revenge tale set as a musical.  It is a haunting nightmare experienced awake.  However you should be able to stomach blood, otherwise you will find it horrifically overplayed.

I have decided not to write a traditional movie review of Sweeney Todd.  My original interest in this movie was all the buzz from the theatrical performance and novel.  I now know I must to attend the Stephen Sondhiem musical as part of my own collection of life experiences.  This screen version doesn't feel at all like stage and works perfectly, so to get yet another feel for this illicit story is something I will not miss.

What is compelling about this sad and tragic story is the love story behind it despite Sweeney Todd’s nefarious lifestyle.  Where this stands on its own is that it gives Sweeney Todd a motive to kill that you accept as a moviegoer.  Perhaps you must personally have some romantic tragedy in your life to appreciate this story (not the killing).  I understood the sting of what happened to Benjamin Barker from my own life’s sudden tragedies.  In that I mean the story begins with a character being “naive” and paying a terrible price for having done no wrong. 
 
The story of Sweeney  Todd is a intensely dark tale.  The title character is brooding at his most optimistic moments.  Sweeney Todd is portrayed here by Johnny Depp and filmed in the same surreal dark artistic manner Tim Burton first made a name for himself with in his own trademark stylized Edward Scissorhands, Batman and Beetlejuice movies.   Yet I was drawn to it more as a musical.
 
I thought ...   more »