Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [Blu-ray]

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [Blu-ray]

Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 10/21/2008 Run time: 116 minutes Rating: R

After years of rumors, it turns out that Tim Burton was the perfect visionary to film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Stephen Sondheim's Broadway masterpiece, and the result is a macabre and moving musical movie as enthralling as anything Burton has ever done. The show's mix of gothic horror, Grand Guignol, very dark humor, and witty and beautiful music never was the stuff of traditional musical comedy, but it's a powerful work, and perhaps the richest of the late 20th century. In the movie, Burton's frequent collaborator, Johnny Depp, plays Todd, a wronged man whose lust for revenge drives him to murder (an 19th-century legend who has been traced to a real-life barber). Helena Bonham Carter, another Burton mainstay, is Mrs. Lovett, the barber's partner-in-unspeakable-crime. It's no surprise that Depp is an excellent choice to convey Todd's brooding intensity and volcanic rage, but he can also sing a score that is so challenging it has often played in opera houses (though not with the same style as the Broadway original, Len Cariou, and he occasionally lapses into pop style). Bonham Carter is small of voice and lacks the humor of the original Broadway Lovett, Angela Lansbury, but she sings on pitch, in rhythm, and in character at the same time, which is no small feat for a Sondheim show. Aficionados will regret the loss of certain musical passages--"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" is just an instrumental overture and the chorus is gone altogether, among others--but the reassuring presence of orchestrator Jonathan Tunick and conductor Paul Gemignani ensures that the music feels right and sounds great. And the film's depiction of a Victorian London hellhole--with cinematography by Dariusz Wolski and costumes by Colleen Atwood--also looks and feels right.

The excellent cast is filled out by Alan Rickman as the villainous Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall as his seedy Beadle, Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) as a rival barber, Jamie Campbell Bower as the young lover Anthony, Jayne Wisener as his object of affection, and Ed Sanders as the young Toby. For fans of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp who don't think they like musicals, Sweeney Todd should be a revelation (though not for the squeamish, as the gore is intense and completely appropriate). For fans of Broadway and Sondheim, it's hard to imagine getting a better adaptation than this. The fact that there's no newly composed Oscar-bait song sung by a Josh Groban-type over the end credits only makes it better. --David Horiuchi

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [Blu-ray] Reviews

Oh, I sing this soundtrack constantly. Todd. I sing Helenas' part of the stirring 'My Friends' while I walk my dogs at the dog park-. Ooh, Mr. She's that good in this role.

Todd,. If you only knew, Mr. Always had a fondness for you,. Todd.

In my hand. This is like chocolate for the soul. I can't imagine anyone better for Sweeney Todd and I'm glad Tim Burton picked them in his infinite wisdom. "I'm your friend too, Mr. This is an important occasion in my life for it is the first time I have ever taken to a musical (which I usually find really silly) to the point where I played the soundtrack while I applied my makeup in the morning, while I ate breakfast, while I drove to work and even while I cooked dinner at night. If I ever met Helena, I'd drop to my knees and cry.

This movie helps me get through my boring life and I'm grateful for it. This music is addictive. My co-workers just love it when I break into `By the Sea', which I do at least twice a day, kissing my boss. I sing 'A Little Preist' while I use the snow blower at the top of my lungs outside and I don't care who hears me. You're warm. I did.".

You've come home. Who cares if Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter aren't the most excellent vocalists on the planet, they are perfect to me.

I you have never seen this performed live you may enjoy it more than I did. The sets are magical looking. It is almost like this movie was made just for me. I love Horror, and I love musical theatre. I love Johnny Depp. The atmosphere created by Burton is creepy and awsome.I guess this flick fell short from me because the play is so simple and basic yet horrible and fun.and this just seemed.well made up. I love Tim Burton.

I think Johnny Depp can do no wrong and Eleanor Bonham Carter is Tremendous. amazing. I never miss a Depp movie and a MUSICAL. What can this man do next to impress me.

Depp can not sing, not even close. You would have to be demented to be in any way involved in bringing this sorry stage presentation to the big screen.why. Not a tune that would make it to the radio. Not that the songs were worth listening to.

I have since listened to the soundtracks of the stage recordings, and in my opinion, Helena Bonham Carter does a far better job than Angela Lansbury and Patti Lupone ever did. Helena Bonham Carter may not be a professional singer, but she sings it far better than the other two ladies, and is amusing, believable, and likeable (no small feat, considering her character). Lansbury's singing gets grating after a few seconds, and Patti Lupone, while excellent as Evita, is far too stiff for Mrs. And Johnny Depp is simply superb.

Nothing against them, but Ms. Compare how the three measure up to each other. Yes, they're not professional singers, but the entire cast does an awesome job that comes across far more naturally and beautifully than the other recordings I've heard. listen to the samples on Amazon.com.

If you doubt it, take a. Lovett. Absolutely wonderful.